8 COMMON PROBLEMS FOUND BUT NOW SOLVED IN 2-STROKE MARINE ENGINES

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The 2-stroke marine engine is the main propulsion power source and also the biggest machinery on a ship. A great amount of effort, resources and time is spent to ensure that this massive engine runs smoothly and efficiently, taking the ship from one port to another without breakdowns.

But no matter how many precautions are taken, problems/breakdowns are bound to take place considering the complexity and number of parts the 2-stroke marine engine has.

In this article, learn about the eight most common problems that are found in the ship’s 2 stroke marine engine and what should be done to tackle them.

1. Stuck Fuel Rack: This is one of the most common problems with oil-fired 2 stroke marine engines. The governor controls the fuel pump delivery through a fuel rack, which is a combination of mechanical links. Sometimes the fuel rack gets stuck leading to a lack of fuel supply in the concerned unit which results in either fluctuation in the engine RPM if running or engine will not start from a standstill.

Solution: All the mechanical links of the fuel rack must be well lubricated and greased before starting the main engine. If after starting the main engine, the engine rpm is constantly fluctuating even at lower speed in calm weather, check all the fuel rack as one or more of them must be stuck.

2. Starting Air Valve Leakage: Any leakage from the starting air valve will lead to hot gasses going back to the engine airline, which may contain thin oil film. Such a mixture of oil and film can lead to a starting airline explosion. This kind of explosion is not very common nowadays due to safety features incorporated in the airline (bursting disk in MAN and relief valves in SULZER/ Wartsila engines). However, one cannot overlook the possibility of malfunctioning of such devices which can lead to an explosion.

Solution: Normally, there is no remote monitoring of temperature for the airline supplying air to starting the air valve. The best way to determine such a fault is to check the temperature of the airline manually during maneuvering. This problem is more likely to occur when the engine is started frequently and not when the engine is running continuously.

3. Fuel Leakage/ Fuel Valve Malfunction: Problems in the fuel system are also commonly observed in the main engine. When there is a deviation in the temperature of one unit, the fuel system, especially the fuel valve needs to be checked. Overhauling and pressure testing of the fuel valve must be done as per PMS. If the engine is maneuvered in diesel oil, there are chances of leakage from the pump seals. Also, if the fuel treatment is improper and the fuel temperature is not maintained, it can lead to cracks and leakages in high-pressure fuel pipe.

Solution: Any leakage in the main engine fuel oil system can be ... To complete reading, click https://www.ugpeotechnique.com/8-Problems-Found-and-Solved-in-Marine-Engines.html