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ME103

Main Engine Starting Air Control Valve Trouble

Technical committee

1. Outline of breakdown
On this vessel with main engine (7L80MCE), while S/B anchored offshore, ahead and astern starting was
out of order.
After anchorage, start-up tests were performed. Although the engine started up several times, the engine
became incapable of starting.
As air comes into all cylinders while running by the air, the problem was surmised to be operation failure of
the starting air control valve and overhaul inspection was carried out.

2. Overhaul conditions
1) The stop disc and the closing disc fitting part (A part) contacted and abrasion occurred in a labyrinth
formation.
2) Sticking and abrasion of the closing disc piston ring occurred and contacted a section of the casing
(B part).
3) The contacting part (D part) of the distributing disc and reversing disc was abraded.
4) The contacting part (C part) of the closing disc and distributing disc was abraded.

3. Causes
The contacting surface (C part) of the closing disc with the distributing disc was abraded, the fitting part of
the stop disc and closing disc contacted and abraded in a labyrinth formation. As a result, operation of the
closing disc became faulty and as it was functioning in an inclined condition, it is surmised that it damaged
the part of contact with the reversing disc.

4. Repair and countermeasures

As emergency repair, the following was carried out:
1) The contacting part of the distributing disc and reversing disc was grinded and adjusted.
2) Adjustment of the chain gear position.
3) Removal of the closing disc and construction of a plug on the distributing disc blow hole.
Due to the above repair, the control valve will be controlled via the opening and closing of the starting ball
valve. In this case, if the starting ball valve sticks in open condition, the air will not stop even if fuel
operation is initiated. Therefore, it was decided to shut the intermediate valve manually in emergencies, and
shifting was completed without incidents.
Later, as indicated in Fig.3, removal of the closing disc, changing of the selector valve air line, and
modification of the concerned equipment was carried out.

1
The Marine Engineer Feb.1989
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Fig.1 Starting air control valve

Fig.2 Before modification

2
The Marine Engineer Feb.1989
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Fig.3 After modification

3
The Marine Engineer Feb.1989