Caterpillar 322-3155 Engine Oil Filter (320D2)

Why the 320D2 Takes a Cartridge, Not a Can

The single most common mistake we see on 320D2 filter orders is a buyer picturing the 320D they serviced for years. The 320D runs a C6.4 ACERT six-cylinder and its engine oil filter 1R-0739 is a spin-on can. The 320D2 runs a C4.4 ACERT four-cylinder, and its oil filter 322-3155 is a cartridge element that sits in a housing on the engine — the same job on the same-sized machine, done with a different part and a different routine.

That is not an aftermarket quirk. Caterpillar's own parts listing classifies 322-3155 as an Element Assembly, cartridge type, standard efficiency, and quotes it at 4.043 in (102.7 mm) diameter and 8.713 in (221.3 mm) length. Because the number belongs to a housing design rather than to an engine alone, the same element covers a long list of machines: the 320D2 family, the 320E and 320 GC that followed it, and a wide band of compact and mid-size models from the 312E up to the 336 GC.

The Fits You Should Double-Check

Aftermarket cross lists for 322-3155 are broad, and two habits stop a wrong delivery. First, match 322-3155 against 322-3154 rather than treating them as one number: several suppliers quote 322-3154 as the housing or assembly for the same circuit, and the customer who receives a housing when an element was wanted loses a week. Second, measure before dispatch — 102 mm outside diameter and roughly 222 mm overall height is the physical signature, and it is the same measurement set that Cat publishes, which means a supplier quoting a canister at 4 in and 8 in is quoting a different product.

One more point worth stating plainly: this element is listed at standard efficiency, not the ultra-high-efficiency grade used in the hydraulic return position. That is the right grade for the application as Caterpillar specifies it, and it is the grade we quote. If a buyer asks us to substitute a lower-efficiency element to shave cost, we say what changes — this is a common-rail engine, and the oil filter is not the place to find out.

Ordering the rest of the service set at the same time is what most customers do, and it is cheaper to ship: the 320D2 fuel element 1R-1804 and the fuel/water separator for the fuel side, the air filter for the intake side, and the hydraulic trio — pilot 5I-8670, case drain 093-7521 and return 179-9806 — which the 320D2 shares with the 320D. The 320D vs 320D2 guide lists all of it with serial prefixes, and the cross-reference guide explains how to check any of these numbers against another brand.

FAQ

Q: What machines does Cat 322-3155 fit?
A: Cat lists 322-3155 as the engine oil filter element for the 320D2 generation and its neighbours: 320D2, 320D2 L, 320D2 GC, 320D2 FM, 320E, 320E L/LN/LRR/RR, 320, 320 GC, 318D2 L, 318E L, 313D2, 313D2 GC, 313F, 312E, 312F, 323D2, 323D3, 326D2, 329D2, 329E, 330D2 and 336 GC, among others. The 320D2 runs a C4.4 ACERT engine. Send your serial prefix and we confirm the group before dispatch.

Q: Is 322-3155 a spin-on filter or a cartridge element?
A: It is a cartridge element. Cat's own listing classifies 322-3155 as an Element Assembly, cartridge type, standard efficiency, 4.043 in (102.7 mm) diameter and 8.713 in (221.3 mm) length. It drops into a housing on the engine rather than screwing on, which is the main difference between servicing a 320D2 and a 320D. Aftermarket sellers quote 322-3154 alongside it; on some lists that is the housing or assembly side of the pair, so a photo of your housing settles the order.

Q: What are the cross references for Cat 322-3155?
A: Independent supplier listings carry Sakura EO-55010, HIFI SO10112 and SF-Filter SO97032 against 322-3155, and aftermarket catalogues quote an outside diameter of about 102 mm and an overall height of about 222 mm, which matches Caterpillar's published 102.7 × 221.3 mm. Treat every cross number as a lead: match the diameter, the height and the end-cap design against the element you remove.

Q: Will a cheaper 322-3155 element damage the engine on my 320D2?
A: A quality aftermarket element at the correct efficiency grade will not, and it typically costs 30–60% less than OEM list. The risk is a low-grade element on a machine used in dust or on a common-rail fuel system, where media that collapses or bypasses puts the engine at risk between oil changes. We quote the grade alongside the number, and we do not substitute a lower-efficiency element without telling you.