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ME160
Drop Off and Damage of Intermediate Shaft of Cargo Oil Pump
Technical committee

1. Outline of breakdown

During unloading, abnormal noise suddenly occurred in the pump room. All the cargo oil pumps were
brought to an emergency stop and each part was inspected. It was found that the upper/lower cou-
plings of the intermediate shaft connecting the turbine of the No.2 pump (vertical type) and the inter-
mediate shaft had dropped off.
Damage Condition:
1) Abrasion of the upper coupling gear, damaged hub, broken bolts
2) Abrasion of the lower coupling gear, broken flange tightening bolts
3) Bending due to drop off of the intermediate shaft

2. Repair

1) Replacement of the upper/lower couplings and intermediate shaft with new

2) Replacement of the pump-side bearing and shaft seal with new and alignment of the impeller shaft
3) Overhaul inspection of the upper/lower couplings of other units

3. Probable Cause

1) As a result of overhaul of the upper/lower gear couplings of the intermediate shaft, remaining
grease on the upper coupling and oil shortage on the lower coupling were found. Due to operation
continued for long hours in this state, boundary lubrication occurred, causing tooth surface abra-
sion, breakage, and peeling as well as resulting in excessive clearance between the back and the
tip.
2) It is presumed that the max. pump center displacement occurred because of distorted hull due to
cargo loading condition, where gear engagement became too shallow to withstand operation load,
causing out-of-balance. As a result, excessive force was applied to the couplings, resulting in
breakage of the coupling bolts and drop-off/bending of the intermediate shaft.

4. Observations

The direct cause of the breakdown this time is oil shortage due to O-ring breakage of the gear coupling.
It is necessary, therefore, that such lubrication points be subject to periodic checks, oiling, etc.

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Condition of Damage of Gear Coupling & Intermediate Shaft