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ME180
Air Compressor Damage
Technical committee

1. Type

No.1 main air compressor, SUCTION GAS TCWR22

2. Process of breakdown Detection

Because of severe blow-by to the crankcase of the above air compressor, overhaul maintenance was
carried out at a domestic port by maker. Although no abnormality was observed in a trial run, abnor-
mal sound was heard during patrol in the engine room. The equipment was stopped and operation was
switched over to a stand-by unit. The high pressure valve was detached and inspection found and a
number of metal fragments.

3. Outline of breakdown and Temporary Repair

When the fore side piston was pulled out and inspected, it was found that the stopper ring for locking
the piston pin had dropped off. These fragments created cracks penetrating through the high pressure
side compressing part and a number of hit traces. Concerning the low pressure cylinder, vertical scars
were observed and sticking of the piston ring caused by partial deformation of the piston had occurred
causing the piston, cylinder block, etc. to be inoperative.
The aft side cylinder was also pulled out for inspection and which revealed that the stopper ring had
almost dropped off but no damage had occurred.
As defect of the stopper ring was suspected, the stopper ring on the aft side was replaced from the
maker's original part with a JIS type C snap ring.
As 2 main units plus 1 auxiliary unit are usually operated at the time of port arrival and departure,
startup pressure drop was worried. Nevertheless, operation was continued with 1 main unit plus 1 aux-
iliary unit until spare parts were obtained.

4. Probable Cause

Cause of failure is attributed to drop off of the stopper ring.

Although this equipment had been given maintenance by the maker before failure occurred, an old
stopper ring was reused without replacement. Also at this time, secure mounting of the stopper ring
had been confirmed. Considering that the stopper ring of the aft side piston pin also was almost drop-
ping off, it is not likely that insufficient installment of the stopper ring had caused the drop off. It is
presumed that the cause of drop off lies in tension decrease of the stopper ring due to deterioration, or
a defective ring groove.
The cause of blow-by to the crankcase was attributed to deterioration in the distance piece O-rings on
both ends of the piston pin.

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