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ME196
Main Engine Maneuvering Unit Starting Air Trouble
Technical committee

1. Main engine principal items

Ube 8UEC60LA
15,700ps x 106rpm
Control unit: NABCO Ltd.

2. Outline of breakdown

During S/B for mainland port entry, when the main engine was started, although fuel operation was
initiated, the starting air shut-off valve would not close. As air continued to be entered, emergency
anchorage and inspection was carried out.

3. Inspection items

a) Content of inspections on this vessel (refer to Fig. 1)

(1) E/S 004 (type GBCHC-326M-L) three way valve overhauling
(2) E/S starting air shut-down valve overhauling
b) Inspection contents carried out by maker servicing staff
(1) MVSA (start SOL. V. type: PSMT-33) operation check
(2) Start Sol. V. On/Off and pilot air On/Off to E/S 004
(3) Start up activity check via simulations
Although the above procedures were carried out, no conspicuous abnormalities were confirmed. About
1 month later during mainland port entry, the same trouble occurred again (although fuel operation
was initiated, starting air could not be cut.) The E/S 004 three way valve was again overhauled for
inspection by the ship’s crew, and the O-ring and valves among other parts were replaced with spares.
At this time, when the exhaust adjusting valve (EO2) was opened, fouling around the needle valve was
discovered.

4. Probable Causes

The exhaust adjusting valve (EO2) of the E/S 004 three way valve employs a needle valve so that fine
adjustments can be made. As adjustment to a very narrow opening was made, debris within the pilot
air accumulated in the region of the needle valve. It is surmised that this debris blocked off the exhaust
hole, and as exhaust could not be expelled, the starting air shut-off valve was prevented from closing.

5. Repair

It was decided that overhaul and cleaning of the exhaust adjusting valve (EO2) and adjustment the size
of the valve opening would be carried out regularly.

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