Caterpillar Inc. Cat Marine Power Engine Advice 187-P-2-004-97 (articles/compass/aug97.

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Special and Exclusive to Compass Publications HEADLINE: BYLINE: Engine Advice By David O. Ahrens Commercial Marine Manager Caterpillar Engine Products Division

Q: A:

Why do I need to replace my engines thermostat? An engines thermostat (or temperature regulator) regulates the jacket water

temperature to keep the engine running at a normal operating temperature, usually around 185 degrees F. If the jacket water becomes too hot, the thermostat opens to allow cold water in from either the keel cooler or heat exchanger. When the jacket water returns to a normal operating temperature, the thermostat closes to keep the cold water out. An old or deteriorating thermostat, however, may not recognize when to close off the cold water and subsequently overcool the engine. Overcooling can damage an engine as much as overheating because the parts dont expand properly, and the engine is allowed to run under any load at substandard temperatures. The biggest problem associated with running too cool is excessive carbon buildup around valve guides and behind piston rings. Other problems include combustion contaminants in the oil and the presence of sulfuric acid, which can attack the rings and

valve guides. This can cause excessive wear and shorten the lives of these parts by up to 80 percent. To get the most out of your engine, change your thermostats annually as part of your routine maintenance schedule. You can also determine thermostat wear by monitoring the coolant temperature under load. If its running below 185 degrees F, change your thermostats. (Caterpillar engines usually have two or four thermostats per engine. If one fails, change all of them.) The advantages to a regular thermostat changeout is increased fuel efficiency, longer life between overhauls and increased engine performance.

Q: A:

What do you think about the use of synthetic oils in marine applications? Synthetic base stock oils generally outperform non-synthetic oils in two areas:

improved oil viscosity in low operating temperatures and improved resistance to oxidation in high operating or ambient temperatures. Oxidation occurs when oil molecules combine with oxygen. Heat from the engine acts as a catalyst for oxidation, causing the oil to thicken, lose its lubrication characteristics and its ability to resist wear and corrosion. Some synthetic oils have a characteristic that enhances the useful service life of the oil, which can help lengthen oil service intervals. Caterpillar doesnt recommend automatically extending oil change intervals for any oil, including synthetic base stock oils. Oil change intervals should only be adjusted through an oil analysis program that includes oil condition and wear metals analysis, trend analysis, fuel consumption and oil consumption. The extra benefits found in synthetic oils are reflected in the price -synthetic oils are typically two to four times more expensive than non-synthetic oils.

Got a question for Dave about the marine industry? If so, wed like to hear from you. Call us at 1-800-321-7332. ####

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