CAT Pump oil is a specially formulated, custom-blended ISO 68 oil specifically designed for CAT high-pressure pump crankcases. It’s designed, tested, and proven to optimize the performance of CAT Pumps and maximize their lifespan. Like nearly any industrial machine or vehicle, proper lubrication of a CAT Pump is absolutely crucial to getting the most from it. Of course, understanding how to properly change your oil and how frequently you should do so is crucial. Plus, regular oil inspection allows you to diagnose and troubleshoot potential issues with your pump. CAT Pumps crankcase oil is available in 21oz bottle and 2.5 gallon jug sizes.
IMPORTANT: New CAT Pumps do NOT come with oil. You will need to purchase it separately and add it to your pump before operation.
Why use CAT Pump Oil?
Your first question might be: Why you should use official brand oil instead of a CAT Pump oil alternative? While it’s tempting to use a cheaper, lower quality oil, CAT highly recommends against doing so. CAT’s premium grade oil is formulated to be the best option for your pump and maintains a standard quality that alternatives simply won’t adhere to. Consider these benefits of CAT oil:
- Contains anti-wear additives that protect metal-to-metal drive surfaces, which significantly extends the drive life.
- High oxidative and chemical stability resists deposit formations and provides reliable and consistent performance.
- Premium anti-corrosion additives protect pump components, even in demanding applications like car washes and professional pressure washer units.
Aside from the obvious performance and lifespan benefits, it’s also important to consider that using off-brand oil may void any warranties on your pump. Guarantees against early failure and replacement offers from CAT or pump sellers are almost always offered with the caveat that genuine oil MUST be used when servicing your pump.
How Often Should CAT Pump Oil Be Changed?
When you first start using your pump, CAT recommends that oil be changed after the first 50 hours. After that, service should be done every 500 hours. Of course, if you’re going through all of the oil in your crankcase well before 500 hours, your pump has other issues that you need to address beyond just adding more oil. Note that these recommendations are for all of CAT’s standard piston and plunger pumps, and any special or custom models may require different attention. Find these recommendations and others in their Preventive Maintenance Guidelines document.
How Much Oil Should I Add?
The proper amount of oil to put in your pump depends on the crankcase capacity of the pump. You can find this information listed with other specifications for your pump in the data sheets that CAT offers for every line of pumps they manufacturer. These are by far the most trusted source for pump information. You can either visit the CAT brand website and find your pump and associated data sheet, or search for your pump on Kleen-Rite and look under the “Manuals” section on the product page to find the data sheet. If you can’t find the sheet you need, don’t hesitate to call Kleen-Rite’s toll-free line at 1-800-233-3873 to get some help.
Draining the Crankcase and Checking Oil Level
Your pump has a drain plug located near the bottom back side of the blue crankcase. Simply remove the plug to drain the old oil, making sure to direct it to safe receptacle that you have ready as soon as the plug is removed.
Oil level verification should always be done with your pump on a level, flat surface. For safety and accuracy, your pump should never be turning while checking levels. Most CAT pumps have a built-in bubble gauge, with the red dot being the minimum fill level. In some cases, your pump will have a dipstick to check the oil. Take note that overfilling may result in oil spillage from the fill cap. Conversely, if you don’t reach the minimum oil level can cause drive-end failure due to inadequate lubrication.
Why is Oil Shooting Out of the Cap?
While there is no pressure forced into the fill cap, it does vent to get rid of any normal pressure that builds up when the temperature of the pump changes. Oil may be shooting from the cap from the following:
- Overfilling of the crankcase
- Frothing caused by using the wrong oil or contaminated oil
- Your pump is running at RPM beyond its rating
- The oil cap is loose
- The O-ring on your cap is damaged or worn
- Your pump is mounted on an unlevel surface
- The cap is damaged or warped from excessively high temperatures
Kleen-Rite has a category devoted to CAT oil and oil accessories. We may be biased, but we’re confident that we’re the best source when you’re looking to stock up at the best prices on the market.
Become an expert in oiling your CAT pump and it will reward you by purring for many years to come!
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