Bulletin No. PS3.
21
SERVICE
WARRANTY BULLETIN
Excessive Oil Consumption
Definition
Any complaint of excessive oil consumption must be
substantiated.
An initial inspection should determine if the Oil
Consumption is the result of external problems
(leaks, etc.) and/or the application.
Then, a Consumption Test Report Form 01-081227
(See Illustrations 1 and 2) must be completed and
the oil to fuel consumption ratio established. The
ratio is plotted in the relevant graph (See Illustrations
3,4 and 5)
With the graph, it is Caterpillar’s intention that an
investigation and repair should be made when a unit
falls within the investigative range. Most oil control
complaints fall within the investigative range.
There are conditions when an engine with oil
consumption in the investigative range could have
acceptable oil consumption and thus would not
warrant a defect investigation or repair.
Such as:
™Example 1:
If a fleet of engines all have a low but consistent
value, the problem could be the result of
application, driving habits, preventive
maintenance, load factors, etc. Neither an
investigation nor a repair would necessarily
produce significant improvements.
™Example 2:
A fleet of 3208 units used as city pickup and
delivery tractors are all plotted within the
investigative range at approximately 140 liters
fuel per liter oil and all units have approximately
32’000 km.
One other unit, however, is at 72 liters fuel per
liter oil. This one unit would be the only one
requiring an investigation and repair.
SELD0997-03 (04/01)
CATERPILLAR SARL
If an engine experiences a high deterioration rate
from any level, whether it be in the top area or lower
area of the graph, it would require investigation and
repair. To determine deterioration, it is necessary to
check oil consumption for at least two consecutive
regular oil change periods. Using the Oil
Consumption Test Report, plot the fuel to oil rates on
the appropriate graphs. When plotted, the fuel to oil
rate should be extrapolated (extended) to give an
estimated rate for a specific number of
miles/kilometers. If the extrapolation of the two
consecutive oil change periods on the graph
indicates that oil consumption will eventually reach
the investigative range, the engine should be
repaired before oil consumption falls into the
investigative range.
NOTICE
The graphs are not intended to be extrapolated
beyond the maximum kilometers/hours
illustrated in the graphs.
Common causes of excessive Oil
Consumption
1. Low engine operating temperature.
2. Very low Load Factor.
3. Incorrect Oil
4. Operating Practices
5. Maintenance Practices
Oil consumption repairs should be made only after
an engine is confirmed to have an oil consumption
problem. These repairs should be made in
accordance with the latest published information on
oil consumption.
1 Printed in the U.S.A.
 Bulletin No. PS3.21
For oil consumption claims the claim comments Note:
must include :
Excessive blowby, oil slobber are not enough to
™Oil to fuel ratio justify a Warranty Claim.

™Cause of oil consumption

™Condition of the parts inspected to determine

the cause of oil consumption

™Type of oil used.

SELD0997-03 (04/01) 2 Printed in the U.S.A.

 Bulletin No. PS3.21
OIL CONSUMPTION TEST REPORT
(FOR OWNER / OPERATOR USE)

OWNWER’S NAME LOCATION

ENGINE MODEL SERIAL NUMBER ARRANGEMENT

VEHICLE MANUFACTURER MODEL SERIAL NUMBER

VEHICLE APPLICATION

AVERAGE KILOMETERS PER DAY AVERAGE HOURS PER DAY

BRAND NAME OIL (complete) VISCOSITY

CLAISSIFICATION (all) FUEL SULFUR CONTENT (If available)

This test report is required before any repair for excessive oil consumption is performed. It is intended that various external items be

Inspected prior to completion of this report. However, if all of the guidelines contained within have been met, available records can be

used to complete this report. All information required in this report must be retained in dealership records.

TEST PROCEDURES

1. At the start of the oil consumption test, the crankcase must be drained and refilled with the correct grade and quantity of oil
and of the proper viscosity for the ambient temperature. New Caterpillar oil filter elements must also be installed. The fuel
tank must be filled. (NOTE: These are normal maintenance items to be done at the owner’s expense)

DATE _____________________ ENGINE KILOMETERS (HOURS) ______________________________

2. The vehicle owner must substantiate each fuel and oil addition to the next oil change period with a daily log sheet showing
date, Kms / Hours, amount of fuel added, and amount of oil added. (see back page)

3. At the end of the test, the fuel tank must be refilled at the owner’s expense. The oil level on the dipstick must be noted to
estimate the amount of oil used (distance down from dipstick “full” mark)

DATE _____________________ KILOMETERS / HOURS ________________________

4. TOTAL OIL USED, LITERS _______________________ TOTAL FUEL USED, LITERS ___________________________

5. Determine the fuel to oil ratio.

LITERS FUEL PER LITERS OIL __________________________

Illustration 1. Oil Consumption Test Report (Front Side). Form No 01-81227.

SELD0997-03 (04/01) 3 Printed in the U.S.A.

 Bulletin No. PS3.21

OIL CONSUMPTION DAILY LOG

(FOR OWNER / OPERATOR USE)

Complete each entry for oil consumption verification. Record odometer reading each day (mileage) even if
no fuel or oil additions are made. Both odometer and hourmeter readings should be recorded if unit is so
equipped. Oil additions should be made when oil reaches the “ADD” level on the engine dipstick.

ODOMETER HOURMETER FUEL OIL

MONTH DATE
READING READING ADDITIONS ADDITIONS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Illustration 2. Oil Consumption Test Report (back side), Form No 01-081227

SELD0997-03 (04/01) 4 Printed in the U.S.A.

 Bulletin No. PS3.21

3054 / 3056 ENGINE OIL CONTROL

Liter Fuel / Liter Oil
400

360

320

280

240

200

160

120
INVESTIGATE RANGE
80

40

0
0 500 1’000 1’500 2’000 2’500 3’000 3’500 4’000 4’500 5’000 5’500 6’000
ENGINE HOURS

Illustration 3. Oil Consumption: 4 Graphs

SELD0997-03 (04/01) 5 Printed in the U.S.A.

 Bulletin No. PS3.21

3114 / 3116 / 3126 ENGINE OIL CONTROL

Liter Fuel / Liter Oil
400

360

320

280

240

200

160

120
INVESTIGATE RANGE
80

40

0
0 500 1’000 1’500 2’000 2’500 3’000 3’500 4’000 4’500 5’000 5’500 6’000
ENGINE HOURS
0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480

ENGINE KILOMETERS (X 1000)

SELD0997-03 (04/01) 6 Printed in the U.S.A.

 Bulletin No. PS3.21

3208 ENGINE OIL CONTROL

Liter Fuel / Liter Oil
400

360

320

280

240

200

160

120

80

INVESTIGATE RANGE
40

0
0 500 1’000 1’500 2’000 2’500 3’000 3’500 4’000 4’500 5’000 5’500 6’000
ENGINE HOURS
0 200 400 600 800 1’000 1’200 1’400 1’600 1’800 2’000 2’200 2’400

ENGINE KILOMETERS (X 1000)

SELD0997-03 (04/01) 7 Printed in the U.S.A.

 Bulletin No. PS3.21

C-10 / C-12 / 3176 / 3196 / 3306 / 3400 ENGINE OIL CONTROL

Liter Fuel / Liter Oil
400

360

320

280

240

200

160

120
INVESTIGATE RANGE
80

40

0
0 500 1’000 1’500 2’000 2’500 3’000 3’500 4’000 4’500 5’000 5’500 6’000
ENGINE HOURS
0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480

ENGINE KILOMETERS (X 1000)

SELD0997-03 (04/01) 8 Printed in the U.S.A.