Feature 4 | DIESEL ENGINE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
Ferry engine overhaul demonstrates MaK durability
Te low maintenance requirements of the MaK M 43 C medium speed diesel engine from Caterpillar Motoren were highlighted by the recent inspection of a six-year-old ferry.
to inspect engine components on its ro-pax ship, Pont Aven. Te ferry, which was put into service in 2004 as the first marine application of an M 43 C in Vee-configuration, is powered by four 12 VM 43 C engines, which generate 43MW. Te engines are in service approximately 6200 hours each year, constantly operating on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) 380. During a scheduled overhaul after
E
30,000 operating hours, MaK engineers were able to review the condition of various components on the engine to identify overall engine quality following this milestone. Several notable findings were made. All the main bearings were dismantled
from the engine for inspection and exchange. Te lower shells showed the expected, even running pattern but no cavitation marks or other material raptures were found. Te upper shells showed only a hardly visible, even running pattern and all bearings safely reached their designated operating hours. When checking the connecting rods
and piston pin, no unusual wear marks were found, the wear pattern was even and within the expected range. Te diameter of the piston pins was also measured for wear, but no wear was measurable and all parts were good for further use. All pistons were removed from the engines and again no wear marks, fretting or other corrosion were found on the crowns or skirts. Over all the cylinders, the calculated average wear rate of the first piston ring groove was 0.008mm/1000 operating hours and on the average piston crown the first ring groove had not even reached half the wear limit yet, Caterpillar states. “The result of this maintenance is certainly proof of the reliability and
longevity of the components inspected on the MaK M 43 C, even under a highly demanding ferry operation,” suggests Karl Vollrath, customer service manager. “Tis inspection also clearly demonstrates how proper attention to the engines by knowledgeable operators and scheduled maintenance to the manufacturer’s recommendations can extend and maximise the life of these investments.” This year Caterpillar has also taken
several initiatives designed to help upgrade existing engine installations. For example the company has announced the development and release of engine retrofit kits for the Cat 3500 series of marine
Shiprepair and Conversion Technology 4thQuarter 2010
arlier this year engineers from Caterpillar’s Kiel Engine Centre worked with Brittany Ferries
The MaK engines on Pont Aven were in good condition after 30,000 operating hours, an overhaul this year revealed.
Caterpillar’s new retrofit kit for the 3500 series engine.
engines. These kits allow customers to upgrade Mechanical Unit Injector (MUI) engines to reduce emissions to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulated levels. Retrofit kits were released on 1 October
2010 for sale in all countries not governed by the EPA. Caterpillar is currently working closely with the agency to gain certification for sale in the USA as soon as testing and analysis is completed. Te sale of the kits will be managed through the global Caterpillar dealer network and have now started shipping. To provide support to the MaK diesel
engine after-sales service network, Caterpillar has set up a new logistic center located in Henstedt-Ulzburg, north of the city of Hamburg The warehouse, comprising an interior area of nearly 15,000m2
, will serve as a
hub for MaK spare parts for customers throughout the world. With its close proximity to both an international airport and the port of Hamburg, the new logistic center will both speed parts availability and reduce costs, the company claims. SCRT
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