MAN B&W Diesel A/S

Service Letter

SL97-347/HSK July 1997

MC Engines Cracks in Welds of Support Faces for Second Order Moment Compensators Dear Sirs, We have received reports that, on a few MC engines in service, cracks have appeared in the welds of the support faces for the second order moment compensators. These cracks have been found in both the support faces for compensators mounted in connection with the main chain drive aft, and in the support faces for compensators mounted at the fore end (See Enclosures). For engines equipped with second order moment compensators, we therefore recommend that an inspection of the welds around the supporting faces and the welds in the adjacent brackets is carried out by the crew. An investigation of these cases indicates that the cracks have propagated at a slow rate and that no serious damage has occurred. However, as the support faces form the base for rotating masses, such cracks should be rectified as soon as convenient. To rectify these cracks, we have prepared a working procedure which, depending on the extent of the cracks, can be carried out in four to eight days time.

HEAD OFFICE (& Postal address) Teglholmsgade 41 DK-2450 Copenhagen SV Telephone: +45 33 85 11 00 Telex: 16592 manbw dk Telefax: +45 33 85 10 30 E-mail: manbw@manbw.dk http://www.manbw.dk

DIESEL SERVICE Teglholmsgade 41 DK-2450 Copenhagen SV Telephone: +45 33 85 11 00 Telex: 31197 manbw dk Telefax: +45 33 85 10 49 E-mail: diesel-service@manbw.dk

PRODUCTION Teglholmsgade 35 DK-2450 Copenhagen SV Telephone: +45 33 85 11 00 Telex: 19023 manfw dk Telex: 19042 manfw dk Telefax: +45 33 85 10 17 E-mail: manufacturing/copenhagen@manbw.dk

FORWARDING Teglholmsgade 35 DK-2450 Copenhagen SV Telephone: +45 33 85 11 00 Telex: 19023 manfw dk Telex: 19042 manfw dk Telefax: +45 33 85 10 16

MAN B&W Diesel A/S Denmark Reg.No.: 24 231

If cracks are discovered during the above investigation, their position and length should be recorded the enclosed sketches should be used for this purpose whereafter we recommend that the engine builder, or MAN B&W Diesel, Copenhagen, is contacted so that rectification work can be arranged at a time convenient to the ship's schedule, taking the extent of the cracks into consideration.

Yours faithfully, MAN B&W Diesel A/S

Encl.