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Caterpillar Air Filters on 3500 Series Engines

Discussion in 'Engines' started by AIRSEP Guru, Nov 7, 2012.

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  1. AIRSEP Guru

    AIRSEP Guru New Member

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    Jan 18, 2010
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    Los Angeles
    Wanted to know if anyone can share what the typical service life you are getting with the stock paper air filters found on the 3508, 3512, or 3516 older Caterpillar marine engines. Please mention what engine you have. Thanks
  2. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Sep 30, 2005
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    Location:
    My Office
    Hi,

    Tend to change them on condition, got a pair of 3516's rated at 1492 kW at 1600rpm. Done 1600 hrs from new in 12 months with current set with no problems, soot filters every 250 but as we have Racor CC FIltrs fitted by CAT dealer we have little stuff to block them .


    On C-18's rated at 412 eKW at 1500 rpm we have as gensets we change Walker Airseps at 1000 hrs as we strip and clean the after cooler at the same service interval we use blowing the filters clean every 250 HR SErvice. They are usually pretty fouled with what looks like bits of insulation.

    I am happy to give this info in a public forum but if you are associated with Airsep you should ask the Boss before posting any business info.
  3. AIRSEP Guru

    AIRSEP Guru New Member

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    Thanks K1W1, I appreciate the feedback.
  4. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Too many variables, it really depends on how clean the engine room air quality is when the engines are running. One exhaust leak and all your air filters are dirty in 20 hours of running time.....

    I'd say on average 500 hours.......
  5. AIRSEP Guru

    AIRSEP Guru New Member

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    Thanks, Capt'
  6. travler

    travler Senior Member

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    Location:
    roche harbor wa
    we have 3500 series and older d 398 and 399s and we run about 3000 hours a year and change the air filters every year just because. we also make sure we have no exhaust leak and the engine rooms are clean

    travler
  7. AIRSEP Guru

    AIRSEP Guru New Member

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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Thanks Travler!
  8. AIRSEP Guru

    AIRSEP Guru New Member

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    Jan 18, 2010
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    When the stock paper filters are toward the end of their life...is anyone finding exhaust tempertures trending upward as well?

    Any input greatly appreciated.
  9. travler

    travler Senior Member

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    Oct 14, 2008
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    276
    Location:
    roche harbor wa
    Problem

    We do not notice much change in the 02 sensors or egt's. The first place we start to see a problem is that the fuel burn starts to change in a hard tow. We usualy watch that fuel burn very closley and use that as the first indicator.

    travler