Diesel After-Sales Service

Service Bulletin RTA–19

Technical Information to all the Owners 28.10.94
of Sulzer RTA – Type Diesel Engines
except RTA 38 and RTA 48

Oil Supply Monitoring

for Geislinger Torsional
Vibration Damper

Contents: Page

– INTRODUCTION 1

– 1. OIL SUPPLY MONITORING 2

SYSTEM

– 2. RETROFIT PACKAGE FOR 3

THE OIL SUPPLY
MONITORING SYSTEM

– 3. SERVICE BULLETINS 4
PUBLISHED FOR LARGE BORE
RTA-TYPE ENGINES
28.50.07.40 – Printed in Switzerland

New Sulzer Diesel Ltd Diesel After-Sales Service PO Box 414 CH-8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
Phone: (052) 262 80 10 (24hours) Telex: 896 659 NSDL CH Telefax: (052) 213 94 83
INTRODUCTION

In May 1994 we received an announcement from Geislinger & Co. Salzburg, Austria regard
ing the Geislinger Torsional Vibration Dampers which reads as follows:
Since 1979 GEISLINGER develops and manufactures dampers for 2stroke engines.
Up to now more than 250 GD2 dampers have been built and are still operating without any
problems. Some of the dampers exceeded the 80000 hours operation mark without mainte
nance resp. inspections.
Therefore, for many customers the damper has ceased to exist. They do not think about it
anymore, it is a black box even if it has been in operation for more than 50000 hours!
However, from our AFTER SALES SERVICE we were informed on problems with the oil
supply system.
The oil supply system, which is neither of GEISLINGER's design nor delivery, failed several
times and caused in two cases severe damper breakdowns.
As similar problems had been brought to our attention by our licensees too, we would like to
draw your attention again to the fact that the correct and reliable function of the damper
depends both on
- sufficient oil discharge and
- supply of pressurized oil.
The required oil discharge and minimum oil pressure is stated on the assembly drawing which
is part of the maintenance manual respectively torsional vibration calculation.
Mid 1991 we introduced for new dampers a Monitoring System, consisting of a manometer
and a pressure switch, which has to be installed in the oil supply pipe as closely as possible to
the damper.
New Sulzer Diesel Ltd. has been informed of this system and delivers this system, which is
now standard, for new orders.
However, all dampers delivered before that time do not have such a device and we strongly
recommend to inform all your customers to apply such a system to avoid a breakdown of our
dampers!
So far the message from Geislinger, on which we have reacted as follows:
In addition to the already existing oil supply monitoring system for new installations we can
now offer a retrofit package for existing installations.
This retrofit package can be ordered from New Sulzer Diesel Ltd. Winterthur or through any
of their Diesel After Sales Service Representatives.

This Service Bulletin should be kept in a separate file in the control room. The respective pages or
tables of the Service Bulletin with modifications to the Operating Manual, Maintenance Manual or
Code Book should be copied and filed in the respective Manual or Book.

1/4 Service Bulletin RTA-19

1. OIL SUPPLY MONITORING SYSTEM

In close cooperation with Geislinger we have introduced an Oil Supply Monitoring System
for new installations for the Geislinger torsional vibration dampers in 1991.
This system will monitor the lubricating oil supply to the damper in order to recognize early
symptoms of insufficient oil supply and oil pressure.
The operation with insufficient lubricating oil supply can not only influence the lubrication of
the internals of the damper but also cause local overheating of the components because of the
reduced cooling effect due to insufficient oil flow.
Insufficient cooling may not only cause a reduction in the damper's efficiency but could also
cause a rapid increase of the wear rate of the moving parts (due to lack of lubrication com
bined with lack of heat transfer) which may lead to malfunctioning or the complete failure of
the damper.
If an engine is operated with a damaged or inoperative torsional vibration damper over a pro
longed period it could lead to serious damage to the propeller / intermediate shaft respec
tively to the crankshaft or other engine components.
If the Geislinger torsional vibration damper fitted to your engine is not already equipped with
the Oil Supply Monitoring System we strongly recommend to fit an Oil Supply Monitoring
System as shown on the sketches below at your earliest convenience.

Figure A To the Alarm system

Valid for:
RTA "-2 Series"
and RTA 84T
and

RTA "-8 Series"

without axial detuner

Pressure gauge Pressure switch

AA
Adaptor

Metallic hose
connection
A 8 mm ø
Copper tube

drawn for RTA 52

2/4 Service Bulletin RTA-19

 Figure B Electric wiring to the
Pressure switch Alarm system
Valid for:

RTA "-8 Series"

with axial detuner

8 mm ø
Copper tube Pressure gauge

Adaptor

drawn for RTA 84

2. RETROFIT PACKAGE FOR THE OIL SUPPLY MONITORING SYSTEM

The retrofit package contains all the necessary parts for the Oil Supply Monitoring System
such as pressure gauge, pressure switch, pipes, pipe clips and fittings etc. as shown on Figure A
or Figure B above, however, it does not include any electrical wires and wiring necessary to connect
the pressure switch to the engine room alarm system.
Please note! When you order the retrofit package we need the following information:

Name of ship.

Type of engine.

Engine builder.

Shipyards hull No.

Damper type: Stamped on the damper side plate resp. mentioned in the
GEISLINGER Maintenance Manual.

State if arrangement of the damper is according to Figure A or Figure B.
The retrofit package can be purchased and service assistance organized through any
New Sulzer Diesel After Sales Service Representative.

3/4 Service Bulletin RTA-19

3. SERVICE BULLETINS PUBLISHED FOR LARGE BORE RTA-TYPE ENGINES

We have so far published the following Service Bulletins which are valid for Large Bore
RTA-Type Engines (RTA 52 to RTA 84):
RTA-2 dated 05.10.88 / Water Drain from Charge Air Receiver and Charge Air
Temperature
RTA-3.3 dated 25.04.94 / Fuel Injection Nozzles
RTA-4 dated 20.11.89 / Oil Damping for Short Tie Rods
RTA-8 dated 15.06.92 / RTA-Cylinder Liners and Reinforced Water Guide Jackets
RTA-9 dated 20.07.92 / Cylinder Cover with Erosion / Corrosion Resistant Cladding
RTA-10 dated 28.10.92 / RTA "-8 Series" Engines / Piston Skirt in Two Parts
RTA-11 dated 31.03.93 / Fuel Injection Pump Regulating Linkage
RTA-14 dated 30.11.93 / System Oil Care and Maintenance
RTA-15 dated 10.02.94 / Elastic Studs on RTAType Engines
RTA-16 dated 15.03.94 / Piston Rod Gland for RTA "8 Series" Engines
RTA-17 dated 01.08.94 / Circulation Valve to Fuel Injection Valve
RTA-18 dated 15.09.94 / Runningin of Piston Rings and Cylinder Liners
Should you not be in possession of the above mentioned documentation suitable for your
plant, kindly contact your local New Sulzer Diesel representative for your copy.

Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd has issued this Service Bulletin with their best knowledge and
ability. However, Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd can not take any liability for any or all information
contained in this or any other Service Bulletin.
Changes of any nature to the form and or to the content of this or any other Service Bulletin as
published by Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd, are not permitted.

4/4 Service Bulletin RTA-19