Service Bulletin RT-83

30.07.2009

Technical Information to all Owners / Operators

of Wärtsilä RT-flex50 and RT-flex50-B engines

Connecting rod bottom end bearing,

upper shell: Cavitation

Upper bearing shell

Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Lubrication principle 1
3 Observation 1
4 Recommended countermeasures 1
5 Considerations 1

Enclosure: OM Data sheet 0250-1/A1

Lubrication groove

Lower bearing shell

Wärtsilä Switzerland Ltd PO Box 414 Tel.: +41 52 262 23 30

Wärtsilä Schweiz AG CH-8401 Winterthur Fax: +41 52 212 71 03
Wärtsilä Suisse SA Switzerland [email protected]
1 Introduction
During routine inspections of individual bottom end bearings, some upper
shells were found to have minor cavitation in way of the oil grooves.

2 Lubrication principle
The lubricating oil is fed to the upper bearing shell via a bore through the
centre of the connecting rod. This is distributed via a circumferential groove
to an entry point on the running surface and distributed axially by means of
a tapered groove.

3 Observation
When carrying out routine inspections, cavitation corrosion was found on
some bearing shells but there was no significant damage. The lower bearing
shell is unaffected.

Figure 1: Minor cavitation on upper bearing shell’s lubrication groove

4 Recommended countermeasures
To prevent the cavitation occurring, the system oil pressure shall be
increased to a minimum of 5 bar. Accordingly, the recommended system oil
pressure range - mentioned in the engine operating manual, section 0250-
1/A1 - changes to 5-6 bar. See the revised data sheet in the enclosure.

5 Considerations
The increased pressure has no affect on the servo oil rail as this is regulated
by means of the pressure regulating valve.
The increased lube oil inlet pressure will also have a positive effect on the
main-, crosshead- and other bearing shells. The risk for possible cavitation
damages, what may occur on all bearings, will decrease.
The upper connecting rod bearing shell does not need to be replaced if the
damage remains as described above and if no significant material
detachment has occurred. It is recommended that the transition radius is
dressed using a bearing scraper to obtain a smooth profile.

1/1 Service Bulletin RT-83

 RT-flex50 Operation 0250–1/A1
Operating Data Sheet
Pressure and Temperature Ranges at Continuous Service Power MCR

Medium System Location of Gauge pressure Temperature

measurement [bar] [° C]

Min. Max. Min. Max. Diff.

Fresh water Cylinder cooling Inlet 2 4 65 – max.
Outlet each cylinder – – 80 90 15
SAC, low temperature circuit LT Inlet 2 4 25 36 3)

(single-stage scavenge air cooler) Outlet – – – –

Sea-water SAC Inlet 0.8 4 25 32 3)
Outlet – – – 57
Lubricating Servo oil Pumps inlet 4.0 6.5 – – –
oil Main bearing Inlet 5.0 6.0 40 50 –
Piston cooling Inlet 5.0 6.0 40 50 max.
Outlet – – – 80 30
Thrust bearing Outlet – – – 65 –
Torsional vibration damper Supply 5.0 6.0 – – –
(if steel spring damper is used) Housing inlet 1 – – – –
Integrated axial damper Supply 5.0 6.0 – – –
(chamber pressure) Monitoring 1.7 – – – –
Turbocharger bearing (ABB, TPL type) Inlet 1 2.5 – – –
(with internal oil supply) Housing outlet – – – 110 –
Turbocharger bearing (ABB, TPL type) Inlet 1.3 2.5 – – –
(with external oil supply) Housing outlet – – – 120 –
Turbocharger bearing (MHI, MET type) Inlet 0.7 1.5 – – –
Housing outlet – – – 85 –
Fuel oil Supply unit (fuel pump) Inlet 7 1) 10 2) – 150 –
After pressure retaining valve (fuel pump) Return 3 5 – – –
Scavenge air Scavenge air cooler after cooler 25 60 –
Intake from engine room (pressure drop) Air filter / silencer max. 10 mbar – – –
Intake from outboard (pressure drop) Ducting and filter max. 20 mbar – – –
Scavenge air cooler (SAC) (pressure drop) new SAC max. 30 mbar – – –
fouled SAC max. 50 mbar – – –
Air Starting air Engine inlet 12 25 / 30 – – –
Control air Engine inlet 6.0 7.5 – – –
normal 6.5 – – –
Air spring of exhaust valve Main distributor 6.0 7.5 – – –
normal 6.5 – – –
Exhaust gas Receiver after cylinder – – – 515 Deviation
±50
Turbocharger inlet – – – 515 –
Manifold after turbocharger new max. 30 mbar – – –
fouled max. 50 mbar – – –

Remarks to pressure and temperature ranges:

D Limits for alarm, slow-down and shut-down; see group 0250–2.

D Pressure measured approx. 4 m above crankshaft centre line.

1) At 100% engine load.

2) At stand-by condition; during commissioning of the fuel oil system, the fuel oil pressure at the
inlet of the fuel pumps is adjusted to 10 bar.
3) The water flow has to be within the specified limits (scavenge air cooler specification).

Wärtsilä Switzerland Ltd 1/ 1 5.09

 RT-flex50-B Operation 0250–1/A1
Operating Data Sheet
Pressure and Temperature Ranges at Continuous Service Power MCR

Medium System Location of Gauge pressure Temperature

measurement [bar] [° C]

Min. Max. Min. Max. Diff.

Fresh water Cylinder cooling Inlet 2 4 65 – max.
Outlet each cylinder – – 80 90 15
SAC, low temperature circuit LT Inlet 2 4 25 36 3)

(single-stage scavenge air cooler) Outlet – – – –

Sea-water SAC Inlet 0.8 4 25 32 3)
Outlet – – – 57
Lubricating Servo oil Pumps inlet 4.0 6.5 – – –
oil Main bearing Inlet 5.0 6.0 40 50 –
Piston cooling Inlet 5.0 6.0 40 50 max.
Outlet – – – 80 30
Thrust bearing Outlet – – – 65 –
Torsional vibration damper Supply 5.0 6.0 – – –
(if steel spring damper is used) Housing inlet 1 – – – –
Integrated axial damper Supply 5.0 6.0 – – –
(chamber pressure) Monitoring 1.7 – – – –
Turbocharger bearing (ABB, TPL type) Inlet 1 2.5 – – –
(with internal oil supply) Housing outlet – – – 110 –
Turbocharger bearing (ABB, TPL type) Inlet 1.3 2.5 – – –
(with external oil supply) Housing outlet – – – 120 –
Turbocharger bearing (MHI, MET type) Inlet 0.7 1.5 – – –
Housing outlet – – – 85 –
Fuel oil Supply unit (fuel pump) Inlet 7 1) 10 2) – 150 –
After pressure retaining valve (fuel pump) Return 3 5 – – –
Scavenge air Scavenge air cooler after cooler 25 60 –
Intake from engine room (pressure drop) Air filter / silencer max. 10 mbar – – –
Intake from outboard (pressure drop) Ducting and filter max. 20 mbar – – –
Scavenge air cooler (SAC) (pressure drop) new SAC max. 30 mbar – – –
fouled SAC max. 50 mbar – – –
Air Starting air Engine inlet 12 25 / 30 – – –
Control air Engine inlet 6.0 7.5 – – –
normal 6.5 – – –
Air spring of exhaust valve Main distributor 6.0 7.5 – – –
normal 6.5 – – –
Exhaust gas Receiver after cylinder – – – 515 Deviation
±50
Turbocharger inlet – – – 515 –
Manifold after turbocharger new max. 30 mbar – – –
fouled max. 50 mbar – – –

Remarks to pressure and temperature ranges:

D Limits for alarm, slow-down and shut-down; see group 0250–2.

D Pressure measured approx. 4 m above crankshaft centre line.

1) At 100% engine load.

2) At stand-by condition; during commissioning of the fuel oil system, the fuel oil pressure at the
inlet of the fuel pumps is adjusted to 10 bar.
3) The water flow has to be within the specified limits (scavenge air cooler specification).

Wärtsilä Switzerland Ltd 1/ 1 5.09