TECHNICAL

BULLETIN

Seals & Bearings DSTA00013057

Issue 1, 3/15/2023

Operation of FWD seal using EAL

Next opportunity *

Distribution to operators and owners of installations Products concerned:

concerned FWD Stern Tube Seal, type OLS2-P (MKII)
and OLS2-P-C (MKIIM).

Validity
Until further notice.
Before taking any action, always check the
available online systems for the latest
revision of this document. Any locally
stored or printed version is considered to be
an uncontrolled document.

Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. Tel: +81 76 451 3340 www.wartsila.com

761-1 Mizuhashinakamura
Toyama 9393551 Japan
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DSTA00013057, Issue 1, Page 2 / 6

Document history
Issue Date Description SBWT ID
1 15.03.2023 Initial release

Contents
Page
1 Introduction 2
2 Operation 3
3 Contacts 6
4 Technical support 6

1 Introduction
EAL (Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant) is now widely used for vessels who
service in the US water, since 2013 VGP has been effective on 19th December 2013.
We know various remarks when EAL is used for stern tube seals and bearings.
Following is the explanation about EAL.
EAL requires the strict arrangements/specifications/operations for the sealing systems
in comparison with Mineral Oil.

As actual example used with EAL, abnormal wear especially #4 Seal Ring in FWD
stern tube seal has been observed, which causes EAL leakage. This can be
considered that deterioration of EAL by heat that causes poor lubrication, occurrence of
fine rust particles, residue & etc.

Used #4 Seal Ring (Abnormal wear condition)

To prevent above mentioned issue, following operation is to be carried out strictly for
the purpose of eliminating any negative influence caused by EAL as much as possible.

© 2023 Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

DSTA00013057, Issue 1, Page 3 / 6

2 Operation
Proper maintenance of EAL condition in FWD stern tube seal L.O. circulation system
should be carried out for such as

2.1 Periodical Check

Periodical check is recommended as described in Table 1.

Table 1 Periodical check

Circulation system
CCM system
Natural circulation
Forced circulation
(FWD seal pump)
Forced circulation
(Distributed from stern
tube L.O. line)
Daily operation
Check oil level in FWD (See Figure 1)
seal tank.
Check oil level in FWD
seal tank.
Check of L.O. flow and
pressure in FWD seal
L.O. line.
Check L.O. flow in sight
glass in FWD seal L.O.
line.
Monthly operation
(Appearance and stickiness check)
Drain check from drain plug at
bottom part of intermediate ring is
preferable.
Use flange of L.O. inlet piping,
where is located at side of the
FWD stern tube seal as alternative.
Drain check from drain plug at
bottom part of intermediate ring is
preferable.
Use flange of L.O. inlet piping,
where is located at bottom of the
FWD stern tube seal as alternative.
(See Figure 2)
Collection of L.O. sample from L.O.
circulation line for visual inspection.

© 2023 Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

DSTA00013057, Issue 1, Page 4 / 6

Drain check point

(Alternative)

Drain check point

(Preferable)

Figure 1 FWD stern tube seal (CCM system)

Drain check point

(Preferable)

Drain check point

(Alternative)

Figure 2 FWD stern tube seal (Natural circulation)

© 2023 Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

DSTA00013057, Issue 1, Page 5 / 6

2.2 Periodical replacement with new EAL

Replacement with new EAL every 3,000 running hours is recommended in order to avoid
negative influence for FWD stern tube seal by acceleration of EAL deterioration from
preventive maintenance point of view.

NOTE:
In general, oil temperature relates to deterioration of EAL closely, and oil temperature in
vicinity of FWD Seal Rings tends to be high because temperature surrounding of FWD
stern tube seal is high and Seal Rings generate heat by sliding on the seal liner.

Remarks:
In case of forced circulation (distributed from stern tube L.O. line), check of EAL condition
every 3,000 hours by analysis agency, and replacement with new EAL according to
instruction by EAL manufacturer.

2.3 Required action by Wärtsilä

1. FS should ensure that LO replacement and Flushing is performed during seal

replacement as needed.

2. Conduct briefing prior to service work onsite according to previous Service Work
Report and TechRequest if any.

3. Record surface roughness of liner before and after the job.

4. Polish the liner sliding surface to meet the required surface of Ra:0.6µm.

NOTE:
If above required surface roughness is not achieved by hand polish, report the risk of
premature failure of seal due to liner condition to Superintendent along with this fact, and
write it in Service Work Report.

5. In case receive an order of liner replacement, confirm the reason (background) of the
replacement, and investigate the condition of the liner currently equipped.
Replacement it with stainless-based liner is also an option, depending on the liner
condition. (Judgment is case by case)

NOTE:
Stainless steel liner has more durability than cast iron liner in terms of corrosion
resistance in degraded oil environments especially in deteriorated EAL environment.

© 2023 Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

DSTA00013057, Issue 1, Page 6 / 6

3 Contacts
If technical support is needed, please create a TechRequest in Wärtsilä Online Services.
For services, spare parts and/or tools, please contact your nearest Wärtsilä
representative or the Customer Support Centre (CSC):
www.wartsila.com/csc

4 Technical support
If technical support is needed, please create a TechRequest for further assistance.
When creating the TechRequest, please:
• Specify the service bulletin number DSTA00013057 in the subject field.
• Write the comments or questions in the description field.
• Attach photos if possible.
1. Customers using Wärtsilä Online Services can create the TechRequest directly in the
system.
2. Customers not connected to the Wärtsilä Online Services, please contact your
Wärtsilä network office or the Customer Support Centre (CSC) and they will convey
the information and create the TechRequest on your behalf.
www.wartsila.com/csc

© 2023 Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. – All rights reserved

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representation, warranty (express or implied) in this publication and assumes no responsibility for the correctness, errors or omissions for
information contained herein. Information in this publication is subject to change without notice. Wärtsilä does not assume any liability for the
consequences of the owner’s/operator’s actions, inactions, and/or decisions made or based upon the information provided herein.
Unless otherwise expressly set forth, no recommendation contained in this document or any of its appendices is to be construed as provided
due to a defect of the product, but merely as an improvement of the product and/or the maintenance procedures relating thereto. Any actions
by the owner/operator as a result of the recommendations are not covered under any warranty provided by Wärtsilä and such actions will
thus be at the owners/operators own cost and expense.
NO LIABILITY WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, IS ASSUMED WITH RESPECT TO THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS PUBLICATION IS CONFIDENTIAL AND INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES
© 2023 Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this document.
ONLY.