SERVICE BULLETIN

NOTICE: Service Bulletins are proprietary to Turbomach SA, Via Campagna 15, CH-6595 Riazzino,
Switzerland. The Type of Change and Recommended Compliance specified reflects Turbomach’s best
judgment regarding the Service Bulletin. All questions should be directed to your Turbomach Field Service
Representative. Solar, Saturn, Centaur, Taurus, Mercury, Mars, Titan, SoLoNOx, and Turbotronic are
trademarks of Solar Turbines Incorporated. Cat and Caterpillar are trademarks of Caterpillar Inc.
Specifications subject to change without notice.

TBM#: SB 15-010
ISSUED: 09.06.2015
PRODUCT: MARS, TAURUS and CENTAUR
MODEL(S): Generator Set
Specifics: With Direct Drive AC Start System
DISTRIBUTION: TBM Worldwide

SUBJECT: DIRECT DRIVE AC START SYSTEM OIL LEAKAGE

Type of Change: Product Improvement
Recommended
Compliance: Earliest Convenience
Type of
Modification: Mechanical

Purpose:

This Service Bulletin announces the availability of Direct Drive AC Starter System upgrades and the
kits to retrofit fielded units. This Service Bulletin also provides the recommended installation
procedure for the starter motor to prevent lip seal damage.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Some Direct Drive AC Starter Systems have reportedly been leaking from the following areas:
• Oil from the adapter housing flanges
• Oil or grease from the back end of the start motor
• Oil or grease from the motor grease supply or the relief ports

Normal variations in component tolerances will result in different leakage points between similar
units.

Template SB Caterpillar Confidential: Green Page 1 of 5

rev. cc – 20.02.2015
 Centaur/Taurus:

Figure 1 shows the potential leakage areas identified above. Leakage from these areas is most
likely the result of one or some combination of the following:

• Damaged lip seal on the adapter housing

• Use of an early configuration of the adapter housing lip seal
• An improper adapter housing and clamp ring fit up

Figure 1: Leak P aths For Centaur 40, 50, and Taurus 60, 70 Direct
AC Start Adapter Assem bly

Mars:

With Mars engines, leakage as identified above is most likely the result of a damaged lip seal on
the adapter housing or using the earlier version of the adapter housing lip seal.

RECOMMENDED START MOTOR INSTALLATION PROCEDURE:

In addition to hardware issues, the installation of the starter-motor can cause damage to the lip
seal on the adapter housing, which can result in oil leakage. The installation of the starter-motor is
a blind assembly into the starter adapter housing; through the lip seal and into the quill sleeve.
When the starter-motor coupling passes by the soft lip seal, before sleeve engagement, the
coupling can make contact with the lip seal causing the lip seal to be cut, scratched or torn.
The Direct Drive AC Starter System has been modified to add a guide pin system that will help
prevent lip seal damage (See Figure 2). For those units that do not have guide pins, use All-
Thread, studs or bolts to help guide the starter-motor in place.

Template SB Caterpillar Confidential: Green Page 2 of 5

rev. cc – 20.02.2015
 Figure 2 Guide P ins

NOTE

For Centaur and Taurus product lines, it is a good practice to remove the
starter motor and the starter adapter housing separately to avoid
damaging the o-ring on the clamp-ring during reassembly.

ACTION REQUIRED:

If the Direct Drive AC Starter System is leaking it is recommended that all the leak paths,
mentioned in this Service Bulletin, be addressed at the same time.

Centaur/Taurus:
A kit containing an improved lip seal, quill sleeve and clamp ring as well as instructions to rework
the adapter housing, is available and can be ordered through Solar Service Parts. The kit part
number for the Centaur and Taurus product lines is 1038752-100 (TBM code 40006369).
(See Figure 3.)

Template SB Caterpillar Confidential: Green Page 3 of 5

rev. cc – 20.02.2015
 Figure 3

Mars:
Order lip seal 1022447 (TBM code 40000272) through Turbomach Service Parts. Remove the
start motor and then remove the starter adapter and replace the 1007421 lip seal with 1022447 lip
seal as instructed below.

Mars Seal Installation:

NOTE
For best results lay housing on a flat sturdy surface.

Improper installation could cause damage to the seal and oil leakage.

Thermally fit lip seal into the starter adapter as shown: Heat seal bore to 250°F. by applying even
heat. Press seal with even pressure until seal is seated. After the lip seal has been installed, the
manufacturer’s information should be readable, example: USANATIONAL 455013 on the exposed
side of the lip seal, if installed correctly. (See Figure 4.)

Template SB Caterpillar Confidential: Green Page 4 of 5

rev. cc – 20.02.2015
 Figure 4 Mars Adapter Housing

Contact your local Turbomach District Service Office for any assistance in installing the
upgrade kit or replacing the lip seal.

Template SB Caterpillar Confidential: Green Page 5 of 5

rev. cc – 20.02.2015