MAN B&W Diesel A/S

Service Letter SL04-435/HMH

March 2004

All Engines
Check of Hydraulic Tools – Personnel Safety at Risk
Action Code: AT FIRST OPPORTUNITY

Dear Sirs

We have been informed that some hydraulic couplings have occasionally failed while
being connected to the hydraulic jacks, when used for the tightening and loosening of
nuts on the main engine (working pressure up to 1500 bar). An example of a hose with
hydraulic female couplings is shown on the photo below:

An examination carried out in cooperation with our specified supplier – CEJN in

Sweden – has revealed that the failing couplings are not a CEJN product, but
unauthorised copies. Not only the design, but even the marking of the CEJN product
has been copied. A closer study will thus reveal that the two dots in the Swedish
letter Ö in the word SKÖVDE are missing in the marking on the locking sleeve of
the copied hydraulic coupling, see the photo on page 2.

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 FORWARDING MAN B&W Diesel A/S
Teglholmsgade 35 Teglholmsgade 35 Denmark
DK-2450 Copenhagen SV DK-2450 Copenhagen SV CVR.No.: 39 66 13 14
Telephone: +45 33 85 11 00 Telephone: +45 33 85 11 00
Telex: 19023 manfw dk Telex: 19023 manfw dk
Telex: 19042 manfw dk Telex: 19042 manfw dk
Telefax: +45 33 85 10 17 Telefax: +45 33 85 10 16
E-mail: manufacturing/copenhagen@manbw.dk
 2

CEJN Copy

Another way to detect a copy is to look at the part number on the coupling. The zero in
the part number of the copied coupling is of a different shape, and has a / in the
centre, see the photo below:

CEJN

Copy

We strongly recommend that the crew onboard the ship check whether they have
original CEJN products or unauthorised copies. If copies are detected, they must
soonest possible contact the engine supplier and arrange that all unauthorised copies
be replaced by original CEJN products (male couplings, female couplings and hoses).
 3

Fortunately, we have not received reports of actual accidents when using unauthorised
copies, but a number of operational incidents occurring due to poor quality have been
reported. Therefore, to ensure the best possible safety of personnel when working with
hydraulic tools, we strongly recommend that this check be carried out AT FIRST
OPPORTUNITY, and that unauthorised copied products are replaced by original ones
before use.

New parts can be purchased from MAN B&W Diesel A/S or the engine supplier.

Questions or comments regarding this SL should be directed to our Dept. 2140

Maintenance Tools and Procedures.

Yours faithfully
MAN B&W Diesel A/S

Carl-Erik Egeberg Kjeld Aabo