SERVICE

LETTER
Service, Vasa Engines Huoltokirje Servicebrev
Engine Section Engine type Ref. Date Issue Document No. Page
11 Crank Mechanism 32 WD-S 24.11.1995 02 3211S026GB 1(2)

Counterweights
of VASA 32 engines

In April 1984 bigger counterweights were introduced on the Vasa 32 engines.

In June 1991 it was recognized that microcracks to a depth of approximately 1
mm could appear at certain radius as a result of the flame cutting of the coun-
terweights.
Stress calculations show a very low stress level – under normal circumstances
the microcracks would not develop. Nevertheless the manufacturing process
was changed meaning that the a.m. radius were machined ensuring that no
microcracks after flame cutting could remain.
However, lately it has become evident that a small number of the microcracks
may develop into propagating cracks of fatigue character eventually leading to
a rupture of the counterweight. It takes thousands of running hours before the
crack leads to a rupture. If no propagating crack is found in the counterweight
after 40,000 running hours, cracks will not develop later on either.
Many of the owners of Vasa 32 engines equipped with the counterweights of
the type in question have already been contacted and the counterweights in-
spected or modified. But the purpose with this information is to ensure that ac-
tions in accordance with our recommendations will be systematically carried
out on all engines concerned.

Engines concerned
All Vasa 32 engines delivered in the period April 1984 to the end of June 1991
with exception for 9-cylinder engines, which have a smaller and different coun-
terweight, are concerned.

Actions to be taken (if not already taken)

Preliminary Inspection
All counterweights of the engines concerned should be crack inspected as
soon as possible at the areas shown on the “Counterweight Inspection
Distribution: For owners of VASA 32 diesel engines. Engines manufactured between April 1984 and June 1991.
Validity: Until further notice.
Wärtsilä Diesel Oy, P.O. Box 252 (Tarhaajantie 2), Telecop. +358 61 356 7355, Tel. +358 61 3270
Service, Vasa Engines, SF-65101 Vaasa, Finland, Telex 74251 wva sf Service
Service, Vasa Engines Service letter
Issue Document No. Page
02 3211S026GB 2(2)

Record” 3211V008GB (appendix 1). This preliminary inspection can be carried

out without removing the counterweight from the engine.
A propagating crack is easy to see on one side of the counterweight when the
lube oil varnish is wiped off at the mentioned area with a rag and some sol-
vent. A dentist’s mirror can be used to check the other side of the counter-
weight.
If a crack longer than 40 mm is found, the engine should not be started. If a
crack is 10 – 40 mm long, the propagation of the crack should be checked
every 200 hours, and if the crack is less than 10 mm every 400 hours until it is
possible to replace the counterweight.

Further actions
If no crack is found at this first inspection we see two alternatives as further ac-
tions:
Alt. 1 Repeat the inspections described above every 4,000 hours until the
engine has reached 40,000 running hours. The inspections should be
noted in the engine log book.
Alt. 2 Remove the counterweights from the engine, clean them thoroughly
and carry out crack inspection using the magnetic particle method.
Counterweights with cracks longer than 2 mm to be scrapped. Machine
the two critical radii to a depth of approx. 3 mm according to appendix
2. A machining device is available from Vaasa on order.
Carry out the crack inspection after the machining using the magnetic
particle method. No cracks allowed at the radii.
 Appendix 1

MEASUREMENT
RECORD
Service, Vasa Engines
Engine Section Engine type Ref. Date Issue Document No. Page
11 Crank Mechanism 32 WD-S 24.11.1995 02 3211V008GB 1(1)
Flywheel

COUNTERWEIGHT INSPECTION RECORD

Installation:
Engine type: 1
Engine no.:
Running hours:

Check method: Magnetic particle ❑

2
Dye-penetrant ❑
Visually ❑

Use a dentist's mirror when checking the 3

counterweight from the main bearing side.

Areas that need to be checked

on both sides of the counterweight.
4

Crack
length 5

Reference: Crank Pin at TDC 6

Example: How to fill the form

Rear side Operating side
B-bank, Flywheel end Flywheel A-bank, Flywheel end
7

5 12
✓ ✓
1
Rear side Operating side 8
B-bank, Free end A-bank, Free end
✓ = OK, NO CRACKS
5, 12 = Crack length (mm)

Date : Place: 9
Name:

Wärtsilä Diesel Oy, P.O. Box 252, (Tarhaajantie 2), Telecop. +358 61 356 7355, Tel. +358 61 3270
Service, Vasa Engines, FIN-65101 Vaasa, Finland, Telex 74251 wva sf Service
 Appendix 2

Before machining
[3–5]

[71–73]
[77] ±1

168
Max 9
6 – [8]

After machining
Edge to be
rounded off ~ R3

17 [70±1]
[78±1]

168