Circular Letter CL023-2021/JNN

AT FIRST OPPORTUNITY

Prevention of fuel and lube oil leakage

CL023-2021/JNN
August 2021

Concerns
Owners and operators of
MAN four-stroke engines.
Type: L21/31 GenSet, L21/31 Propulsion

Dear Sir or Madam

As a designer of premium quality products, we are continuously monitoring the performance of our products in the field. MAN
ES utilizes the results of our product monitoring for continuous development of new advanced products.
Recently we received feedback from our custormers, asking for the possibility to introduce design features from newer GenSet
generations on older Tier I generation GenSets. In this regard we would like to introduce the possibility to install new brackets
for fuel oil pipes, ensuring reliability on your product and prevent oil leakages, which may pose a potential risk of fire in the
engine room.

Yours faithfully

Mikael C. Jensen Lars Danefeld Sønderby

Vice President Senior Manager
Engineering Production Support

MAN Energy Solutions MAN Energy Solutions MAN Energy Solutions

H. Christoffersensvej 6
4960 Holeby
Denmark
Phone: +45 54 69 31 00
Fax: +45 54 69 30 30
info-hol@man-es.com
www.marine.man-es.com
Niels Juels Vej 15 Branch of MAN Energy Solutions SE,
9900 Frederikshavn Germany
Denmark CVR No.: 31611792
Phone: +45 96 20 41 00 Head office: Teglholmsgade 41
Fax: +45 96 20 40 30 2450 Copenhagen SV, Denmark
info-frh@man-es.com German Reg.No.: HRB 22056
Amtsgericht Augsburg
Circular Letter CL023-2021/JNN

Two kinds of issues have been observed:

1. Cracked fuel pipes due to excessive vibrations in the engine-mounted fuel supply and return piping, observed on
L21/31 GenSets.

2. The distribution block in the hot box has come loose causing lube oil leakage.

Observation:
In some of the reported cases, excessive vibrations have been observed in the engine-mounted fuel supply and return pip-
ing; thus causing the piping support brackets to crack or break apart.
In case the pipe support is cracked or broken, the vibration level of the piping will increase further with an increased risk of
crack formation in the piping system.

The fuel oil distribution block in the hot box is directly connected to the engine’s fuel supply and return pipes. Excessive vi-
brations in these pipes will apply an increased stress level to the distribution block. In some cases, this has caused stress on
the mounting bolts beyond the allowable design level and, eventually, causing these to crack or break apart.
The distribution block is sealing against a bore in the frame connected to the pressurized lube oil system. When the block is
in correct position, the bore is sealed with an o-ring against the bottom of the distribution block. If the block is not tightened
as specified, lube oil will leak out under the distribution block.

Fuel inlet and return pipes mounted on the engine. Piping system removed from
engine, support brackets in red circles

Prevention of fuel and lube oil leakage. Page 2 of 4

Circular Letter CL023-2021/JNN

Countermeasures:
The present design has been carefully reviewed and evaluated. Based on the observations the following countermeasures
will be introduced as standard for new engines and made available as retrofit for engines in service.

1. New, reinforced fuel oil pipe brackets with improved stiffness and “better” own-frequency. For engines in service
weld-on parts are available for easy update onboard.

2. Plug-screw added in the oil bore underneath the fuel pipe connection block in order to prevent oil leakage in case
of loose or broken installation bolts. A retrofit kit is available for installation on engines in service.

Retrofit solution for pipe brackets on the GenSet version:

Retrofit solution for adding plug screw in frame on GenSets and Propulsion engines:

A retrofit kit is available for installation of the plug screw on engines in service.

Present design with o-ring sealing between engine frame and distribution block.

Prevention of fuel and lube oil leakage. Page 3 of 4

Circular Letter CL023-2021/JNN

A retrofit kit is being prepared with needed tools and parts for safe installation of the plug screw in the lube oil bore.

The work sequence for the installation of the plug screw in the frame is as follows:

In case cracked or broken pipe supports are observed on the engine-mounted fuel supply and return piping, we recommend
to apply the mentioned retrofit parts on your engine(s) immediately in order to avoid possible issues with fuel and lube oil
leakage.

Even if no issues can be observed, we recommend to install the update package at first convenient occasion as a precau-
tion.

For inquiry of parts for retrofit, or questions to this Circular Letter, please contact our PrimeServ Department by e-mail.

MAN Energy Solutions MAN Energy Solutions

PrimeServ Denmark PrimeServ Denmark
Niels Juels Vej 15 H. Christoffersensvej 6
9900 Frederikshavn 4960 Holeby
Phone: +45 96 20 41 00 Phone: +45 54 69 31 00
E-mail: primeserv-frh@man-es.com E-mail: primeserv-hol@man-es.com

Prevention of fuel and lube oil leakage. Page 4 of 4