P R E V E N T I V E M A I N T E N A N C E P R O D U C T S
How To Take A Good Oil Sample
This sampling method requires a Brass Probe (8T9208) and
approximately15 cm (6 in) of tubing. If you are sampling several
compartments, beginwith the cleaner systemsusually the hydraulic
system, then thetransmission or steering system, and finally the
engine system.Use a new piece of tubing for each machine or engine.
It is especiallyimportant to discard the tubing after sampling
engine oil because soot andoil additives may remain in the tubing
and contaminate other samples.
Using oil valve probe Step CInsert the probe into the valveagain
and fill the sample bottlethree-quarters fulldo not fillto the top.
Do not allow any dirtto enter the bottle or bottle cap.
Developed by Caterpillar, our SOSSM program helps youdetect
problems before they lead to costly repairs anddowntime. We
recommend sampling fluid compartmentsevery 250 hours and at each
oil change. We recommendsampling on-highway truck engines every
15,000 miles(25,000 km) and at each oil change.
Step DWithdraw the probe from thevalve and secure the bottle
cap.Then place the bottle with thecompleted label into theshipping
cylinder.
Ensuring accurate SOS results
Fill out sample label completelyTo ensure accurate sample
results, supply all of theinformation requested for each machine
compartment.Model, serial number, and service meter units on
bothequipment and oil are very important. If necessary, youcan
obtain oil type and classification information and themeter reading
of your last oil change from shop records.It is also critical to
indicate whether or not you changedthe oil when you took the
sample.New oil samples are necessary for oil condition
analysis.When you receive a new brand or shipment of bulk
oil,submit a sample and indicate on the label the brand, type,and
classification of the oil.Fill out the sample label information
before you begintaking samples to keep the label oil-free and easy
to read.
To avoid contamination, do not take samples from thedrain
stream, a waste oil container, or a used filter.
Avoiding contamination
Step ASet the engine at low idle andremove the dust cap from
thevalve of the compartment youare sampling.
Step B
Insert the probe into the valveand collect about 100 ml (4 fl
oz)of oil into a waste container. Ifthe oil flow is slow at low
idle,it may be necessary to havesomeone accelerate the engineto
high idle while extracting thesample. Dispose of the wasteoil
properly. (This process cleansthe valve and helps ensure
arepresentative sample.)
P R E V E N T I V E M A I N T E N A N C E P R O D U C T S
This sampling method requires a Vacuum Pump (1U5718
orequivalent). Use this method for pressurized systems not
equippedwith sampling valves.Again, it is important to use a new
piece of tubing after samplingengine oil because soot and oil
additives may remain in the tubingand contaminate other
samples.
PEHP6001-08 Printed in U.S.A. 2000 Caterpillar
How To Take A Good Oil Sample
Withdraw the tubing from thecompartment. Remove thebottle from
the vacuum pumpand secure the cap on thebottle. Then place the
bottlewith the completed label intothe shipping cylinder.
Step E
Step DPump the vacuum pump handleto create a vacuum. Hold
thepump uprightif you turn itover, oil may contaminate thepump. If
oil enters the pump,disassemble and clean it beforetaking the
sample.
Fill the bottle three-quartersfulldo not fill to the top.
Using vacuum extraction
Install oil sampling valvesMost current Cat engines and machine
models are equippedwith sample valves for pressurized oil
compartments. Someengines and machines may not have these valves,
but it is easyand inexpensive to add them.It is important to
install valves in the correct location in eachsystem and to avoid
contaminating the system duringinstallation. We can help you with
specific installation procedures.
Use a tube cutting deviceCutting tubing with a pocket knife is
difficultand it allowsparticles that can contaminate your sample
into the tubing. Toavoid these problems, we recommend the Tube
Cutter (1U7648),which allows you to make a quick, clean cut with
just onehand. Replacement blades (1U8589) for the Tube Cutter
arealso available.Keep sampling supplies cleanKeep new, empty oil
bottles capped and store bottles and tubingin dust-free plastic
bags. The vacuum pump and brass valve probeshould also be protected
from dust. If you feel a sample iscontaminated, discard it and take
another.
Making SOS sampling easier
Step CInstall a new sampling bottleonto the vacuum pump
andinsert the end of the tubinginto the oildo not allow thetubing
to touch the bottom ofthe compartment.
Step BInsert the tubing through thehead of the vacuum pump
andtighten the retaining nut. Thetubing should extend about4 cm (1
in) beyond the base ofthe vacuum pump head.
Step A
Turn the engine off. Measureand cut new tubing to thelength of
the dipstick. If thecompartment you are samplingdoes not have a
dipstick, cut thetubing so that it reaches abouthalfway into the
oil depth.
Do not use the vacuum pump used to extract oil samples to
takeengine coolant samples. Although the fluid does not enter
thebarrel of the pump, glycol residue from a coolant sample
cancause a false positive in oil samples taken later with the
samepump. Designate a separate pump for coolant samples.
Using a separate pump for coolant samples
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