Caterpillar Engines Troubleshooting

Cat Engines Maintenance & Repair Guides

 MENU

 MAY 13, 2020

C15 and C18 – Finding Top Center Position for No. 1 Piston
The No. 1 piston at top center (TC) on the compression stroke is the starting point of all timing
procedures.

Note: Some engines have two threaded holes in the flywheel. These holes are in alignment with the holes
with plugs in the left and right front of the flywheel housing. The two holes in the flywheel are at a
different distance from the center of the flywheel so the timing bolt cannot be put in the wrong hole.

Illustration 1 g00294875
Timing bolt location on left side of engine
(1) Timing bolt
(2) Timing bolt location
(3) Cover

Privacy - Terms
Illustration 2 g00294876
Timing bolt location on right side of engine
(4) Timing bolt location.

1. Timing bolt (1) is a cover bolt. The timing bolt can be installed in either the left side of the engine at
location (2) or in the right side of the engine at timing bolt location (4) . Remove both bolts (1) and
cover (3) from the flywheel housing. Remove the plug from the timing hole in the flywheel housing.

2. Put timing bolt (1) (long bolt that holds the cover on the flywheel housing) through the timing hole in
the flywheel housing. The 9S-9082 Engine Turning Tool and a 1/2 inch drive ratchet wrench are used
in order to turn the engine flywheel in the direction of normal engine rotation. Normal engine
rotation is counterclockwise. Normal engine rotation is viewed from the flywheel end of the engine.
Turn the engine flywheel until the timing bolt engages with the threaded hole in the flywheel.

Illustration 3 g00294877
(1) Timing bolt
(5) 9S-9082 Engine Turning Tool

Note: If the flywheel is turned beyond the point of engagement, the flywheel must be turned in the
opposite direction of normal engine rotation approximately 45 degrees. Then turn the flywheel in the
direction of normal rotation until the timing bolt engages with the threaded hole. The procedure will
eliminate the backlash that will occur when the No. 1 piston is put on the top center.

3. Remove the front valve mechanism cover from the engine.

4. The inlet and exhaust valves for the No. 1 cylinder are fully closed if the No. 1 piston is on the
compression stroke and the rocker arms can be moved by hand. If the rocker arms can not be moved
and the valves are slightly open the No. 1 piston is on the exhaust stroke.

Note: After the actual stroke position is identified, and the other stroke position is needed, remove the
timing bolt from the flywheel. The flywheel is turned 360 degrees in a counterclockwise direction. The
timing bolt is reinstalled.

POSTED IN C18 •

Published by sam
View all posts by sam

PREV
C15 and C18 – Basic Engine

NEXT
C15 and C18 – Gear Group (Front) – Time

Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment