METALDYNE INTERNATIONAL (UK) LTD

Viscous Damper Installation & Operation.

General Information

The purpose of the Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd viscous torsional vibration damper is to reduce
torsional stresses in diesel engine crankshafts and propulsion shafting. Each damper is individually
designed and is not interchangeable between engines or applications.

The damper absorbs torsional energy by the shearing effect of a highly viscous silicone fluid trapped
between the inertia ring and damper casing. The shearing of the fluid generates heat which is
dissipated through the external surfaces of the damper.

Removal of heat is essential to the service life of the damper and special attention should be made to
the section ( 4 ) on damper cooling.

WARNING !

There are no user serviceable parts inside. Removing the front cover of the damper will render the
damper inoperable, for the reasons outlined below.

The Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd damper is filled with a precise volume of fluid, relative to the
‘free space’ within the enclosed casing. This precise volume is strictly controlled during assembly
and filling, to allow for expansion during operation and the removal of a controlled number of 1 cc.
fluid samples for condition monitoring.

The damper design incorporates a small reservoir to compensate for the fluid sample. Replenishment
of the small volume extracted at each sampling is not necessary.

Any excess loss of fluid during sampling or possibly due to excessive mechanical damage may
seriously affect the damper. If this occurs contact Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd for advice.

Section 1 Transportation & Storage

Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd dampers are transported in specially strengthened wooden packing
cases and protected from rust by a primer on non-mounting faces and rust inhibitor on mounting
faces. Before assembly to the engine all mounting surfaces should be clean and free from damage.

If storage is necessary, the damper should remain in the packing case and be stored in a dry, well
ventilated area.
131 Parkinson Lane, Halifax HX1 3RD, England

Registered No 3384705 England Telephone: +44 (0)1422 357234 Fax: +44 (0)1422 354432

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Section 2 Handling of Large Dampers

2.1 Weight

Crankshaft dampers for two-stroke engines can weigh between 6 -27 tonnes. The actual weight of
each damper (which should be checked prior to lifting) is published on the official drawing prepared
and supplied to the engine builder by Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd.

2.2 Lifting

Eyebolt holes (3 or 4) are provided in the damper flange for moving the damper in a horizontal
position, such as removal from the packing case.

Horizontal lifting

A soft sling, (rope, leather, etc.) passed through the central bore of the damper can be used to change
orientation from horizontal to vertical.

Horizontal to Vertical Lifting

131 Parkinson Lane, Halifax HX1 3RD, England

Registered No 3384705 England Telephone: +44 (0)1422 357234 Fax: +44 (0)1422 354432

www.metaldyne.com
Flat belt type slings or wire ropes should be used
when lifting the damper in a vertical orientation, such as when assembling the damper to the engine
crankshaft. (see diagram opposite)

Selection of all lifting equipment should be determined by the damper weight and local safety
regulations.

2.3 Warning

Special care should be taken when handling dampers with counterbalance weights due to
uneven weight distribution.

Vertical Lifting

Section 3 Installation

Normally, the damper is mounted at the free end of the crankshaft, either outside the engine or
enclosed in the crankcase front cover. The most common fixing arrangements include the use of
fitted bolts or dowels, although any method which is capable of transmitting the required vibratory
torque without deformation of the damper may be used.

Flange holes are normally supplied undersize for reaming in conjunction with the crankshaft on
assembly.

Each Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd damper is individually designed and manufactured to the
specific torsional requirements of the engine installation and no adjustment is required after
installation or during the lifetime of the damper.

131 Parkinson Lane, Halifax HX1 3RD, England

Registered No 3384705 England Telephone: +44 (0)1422 357234 Fax: +44 (0)1422 354432

www.metaldyne.com
Section 4 Damper Cooling

Effective cooling is very important as overheating can damage the silicone fluid and reduce
service life of the damper.

4.1 Air Cooling

Dampers fitted outside of the engine crankcase require an unrestricted flow of air for effective
cooling. Any guard fitted should be of a mesh type or have sufficient ventilation to allow a free flow
of air around the damper.

4.2 Oil Cooling

Where the damper is fitted inside of the engine crankcase, it is sometimes necessary to spray the
external surfaces with engine lubrication oil to improve thermal stability and increase energy
dissipation capacity. The amount of oil required for effective cooling is advised by Metaldyne
International (UK) Ltd, however, the design and installation of the necessary piping etc. is the
responsibility of the engine builder.

Further information regarding oil cooling is available upon request. An example installation is
included below..

EXAMPLE ONLY

131 Parkinson Lane, Halifax HX1 3RD, England

Registered No 3384705 England Telephone: +44 (0)1422 357234 Fax: +44 (0)1422 354432

www.metaldyne.com
Section 5 Condition Monitoring

Condition monitoring of the damper is an essential preventative maintenance practice to ensure the
torsional vibration system continues to function as per the original design calculations for the
application.

The internal condition and operating efficiency of the Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd viscous
damper should be monitored by extracting small samples (1 cc.) of silicone fluid for laboratory
analysis. Removal of a silicone fluid sample is a simple process which should be initially carried out
after the first 18,000 - 20,000 hours of engine operation or at the first major engine service.

Subsequent sampling intervals will be advised by Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd via a report
detailing the damper condition and remaining service life following laboratory analysis of the
silicone fluid sample.

Two removable sampling plugs are located on the side faces of the damper for extracting samples of
silicone fluid. (see below)

Fluid sampling container

Special sampling kits complete with instructions for removal of silicone fluid samples are available
from Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd or appointed service agents.

Up to 40 samples can be taken without effecting the performance of the damper.

5.1 Access to the damper

Inspection windows should be provided by the engine builder to allow easy access to take samples
of silicone fluid from the damper for condition monitoring.

131 Parkinson Lane, Halifax HX1 3RD, England

Registered No 3384705 England Telephone: +44 (0)1422 357234 Fax: +44 (0)1422 354432

www.metaldyne.com
Section 6 Maintenance

The Metaldyne International (UK) Ltd damper does not require any regular service, however, it is
recommended that at major engine services the flange mounting bolts connecting the damper to the
crankshaft are checked for tightness and that a visual inspection is made the damper, checking for
signs of leakage or damage.

Section 7 Damper Life

The service life of viscous dampers fitted to 2-stroke engines can vary depending upon the
application, however, experience has proven that
50,000 - 75,000 operating hours is possible before service is required.

Section 8 Damper Identification

Each damper has a six digit serial number stamped on the cover adjacent to the silicone fluid
sampling plugs. It is essential that when any fluid sample is returned for analysis that the damper
serial number is provided.

Section 9 Warning

The damper contains internal moving parts. Do not impact the external casing with any mechanical
object or serious internal damage may occur.

IMPACT
CAUTION NOT
ALLOWED
INTERNAL

DAMAGE

131 Parkinson Lane, Halifax HX1 3RD, England

Registered No 3384705 England Telephone: +44 (0)1422 357234 Fax: +44 (0)1422 354432

www.metaldyne.com