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ME263
Breakage of Generator Connecting Rod
Technical committee

Ship type Chemical tanker

Date of build December 1991
Navigation route Tramper (North America - Europe)
Trouble machinery
Category Generator
Name Connecting rod
Type 6DL 16
Date of trouble January 16, 1995, during cargo handling

1. Outline of breakdown

During cargo handling at a port in the United States, one of the generators in parallel operation tripped
suddenly with a loud sound.
Immediate inspection found damages to the following parts:
• Connecting rod
• Cylinder liner
• Engine frame (on cylinder block coolant side)
• Suction and fuel cams
• Suction and exhaust valve tappets

2. Cause

Considering that there is no damage to the cylinder cover and piston heat contact surface, it is not a
trouble concerning the combustion chamber.
As shell-like patterns were observed originating from the crank pin bolt hole on the connecting rod side
fracture surface, the fracture is considered to have resulted from fatigue cracks. As an initial cause, it is
presumed that at the time of overhaul or reassembly, foreign matter had entered the bolt hole which
caused fault to develop on the thread of the bolt hole, from which the fracture originated.

3. Repair

After the incident, the unit was subjected to inspection by a surveyor from NK. As a result, it was judged
necessary to land the crank shaft and cam shaft for repair.
The engine frame was in a condition beyond repair and thus needs re-fabrication.

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