TECHNICAL

BULLETIN

Wärtsilä low-speed engines RT-89

Services 2-stroke Issue 1, 21.04.2010

Cylinder Cover Studs Next opportunity

Information to all Owners and Operators of
Wärtsilä RTA or RT-flex engines
Concerned products:
Wärtsilä RTA and RT-flex engines.
Summary and main topics:
Corrosion on cylinder cover studs lead to
cracks and finally breaking studs.

In most cases the corrosion attack starts

by entering of corrosive agent between the
connection areas. This is possible when
the thread areas are not carefully treated
or sealed in order to prevent entering of
water, vapour or any other media.

A new type of protection cover shall

prevent corrosion attacks by any liquid
media. This is achieved by covering the
upper part of the cylinder cover stud and
nut. Also good lubricated threads, thread
runouts and sealing of annular spaces will
prevent corrosion attacks.

The new protection cover is easy to be

made by the individuals or can also be
bought through the Wärtsilä Sales and
Spare part channels.

Wärtsilä recommends to distribute this

document immediately to all installations
where the above listed engines are
installed.

Wärtsilä Switzerland Ltd. Tel (24h): +41 52 262 80 10

PO Box 414 Fax: +41 52 262 07 31
CH-8401 Winterthur technicalsupport.chts@wartsila.com
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN RT-89
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Content
Page
Introduction 2
Preventive measures to avoid breakage of studs 3
Holders on cylinder cover studs 7

Introduction
This Technical Bulletin informs about breakage of cylinder cover studs.
Main emphasis is given to preventive measures, in order to avoid breakage of the
studs.
Breakage of cylinder cover studs at the lower threads is a known phenomenon.
Recently we have experienced also breakage at the upper threads of the cylinder
cover studs.
It appears that the majority of these cracks start at a corrosion pit, which
ultimately results in a fatigue fracture.

Cracked cylinder cover studs

1 2

1. Cracked stud at lower thread, 2. Cracked stud at upper thread

Fig. 1
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Preventive measures to avoid breakage of studs

In order to avoid breakage of cylinder cover studs, three countermeasures shall
be applied.

Locations to apply the countermeasures

1. Cover over thread and nut, 2. Lubricated thread, 3. Sealing compound

Fig. 2

Solution to lower stud thread

When fitting a new cylinder cover stud, the instructions hereafter must be strictly
observed.

Cylinder cover stud fitted in engine block

1. Annular space, 2. Lower end of stud, 3. Jointing compound, 4. Sealing face

Fig. 3

Cleaning and degreasing of cylinder cover stud

Before fitting the stud, clean and degrease the joint surface respectively sealing
face (4). If recommended by the jointing compound manufacturer, apply an
adhesive primer in order to improve the adhesion on the joint surface.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN RT-89
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Important:
Do not apply adhesive primer to the thread. Please follow the instruction of the
supplier on how to use the adhesive primer.

Screw in of cylinder cover stud

To screw in the cylinder cover stud always use a stud driver or two counter
locked nuts. Tools like pipe wrenches or multigrip tongs, etc. which would cause
damage to the shank of the stud must never be used. Screw in the stud right to
the bottom and until it rests on its seating surface.

Important:
Do not apply any lubricant to the thread.

Tightening of cylinder cover stud

The stud must be tightened with the correct torque. The correct torque values are
stated in the Maintenance Manual delivered with the engine. The pages are
placed in Group 0 under “Tightening Values of Important Screwed Connections”.

Sealing of annular space

Fill the annular space (1) completely up to the rim with sealant, see Figure 3.

Recommended jointing compounds and adhesive primers

Jointing Adhesive
Hardener Manufacturer
compound primer
Wacker-Chemie GmbH
Elastosil Geschäftsbereich Silicone
RT 622 B G 790
RT 622 A Hanns-Seidel-Platz 4
D-81737 München
Ambersil Ltd
Wylds Road
Silcoset Silcoset Bridgwater
Silcoset Primer
105 RTV Curing agent A Somerset
TA6 4DD
UK of Great Britain

Tab. 1

Attention:
Mixing and applying of the jointing compounds must be done according to the
instruction of the respective manufacturer.
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Products of other manufacturers are also allowed when fulfilling the below
specification:
Containing no acid, e.g. no acetic acid.
Resistant to oil, marine diesel oil, heavy fuel oil and water at a permanent
temperature of approximately 100 °C.
Short age hardening time, i.e. at least 24 hours under ISO standard reference
conditions.
Well flowing to properly fill out the annular space, in order to avoid the creation
of any hollow space.
Good adhesion on adhesive-primed metallic surface.
Easy to prepare and combine.
None or only minimal surface shrinkage.
The jointing compound must remain elastic, as a cylinder cover stud may be
removed at any given time.

Solution to upper stud thread

The corrosive agent (water, steam, etc.) could enter from the upper part of the
stud (3) or/and nut (2), from the hollow or annular space (7) of the cylinder cover
(1) or from the assembly. With insufficient lubrication or protection of the cylinder
cover stud in the upper area, the corrosion attack might start, see marked area
(4) in Figure 4.

Cylinder cover stud upper part with nut

1. Cylinder cover, 2. Nut, 3. Cylinder cover stud upper part, 4. Thread area,
5. Seating surface, 6. Thread runout, 7. Annular space
Fig. 4

In order to prevent this corrosion, the following points have to be observed. This
also applies, whenever a cylinder cover is refitted.

Cleaning and inspection of cylinder cover stud

Before lowering the cylinder cover, clean all cylinder cover stud upper threads.
Inspect the upper part of cylinder cover studs for corrosion marks. In case
corrosion exists, remove it with a wire brush.
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Lubricating of stud and nut thread

Lubricate each upper thread (4), including the thread runout (6) of the cylinder
cover stud (3) with Never-Seez NSBT-8.
Lubricate the thread area (4) and seating surface (5) of each nut (2) with Never-
Seez NSBT-8 or equivalent lubricant.
Numbers mentioned in the text refer to Figure 4.

Tensioning of cylinder cover stud

Tension all cylinder cover studs at the corresponding cylinder unit according to
the instruction given in the Maintenance Manual delivered with the engine.
The correct torque values are located in Group 0 under “Tightening Values of
Important Screwed Connections”.
The procedure how to tension the studs is explained in Group 2, Cylinder Cover
– “Loosening and Tensioning of Cylinder Cover Waisted Studs”.

Protection upper part of stud and nut

In order to improve the corrosion protection of the cylinder cover stud upper
thread, we strongly advise to mount a new protection cap, see Figure 5.
The new protection cap will not only protect the thread at the top of the cylinder
cover stud against mechanical damages, it protects also the nut. The new overall
protection cap will also prevent corrosive attack by any liquid, vapour or other
media in the connection area (4), see Figure 4.

Protection cap, example for Wärtsilä RTA and RT-flex engines, bore size 960 mm

min. ø192 2 to 5
ø18
Basic specification:
2 to 5

Measurements in mm.
2–5 622

Material of cap:
Steel or Aluminium.
1 Steel caps need corrosion
protection.
*
270

Mounting of cap:
Mount the cap to the top
2 of the stud.
Use an M16x20 screw.

Seal the screw head with

3 to 5

a sealant.
3
* = Height must be checked.

1. Protection cap, 2. Cylinder cover stud upper part, 3. Nut

Fig. 5

Based on the drawing and specification as given in Figure 5, the protection cap
can be produced by the individuals.
The protection cap is also available from Wärtsilä. Contact details for ordering the
new protection cap are given at the end of this Technical Bulletin.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN RT-89
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Holders on cylinder cover studs

To prevent building of additional stress and vibration, we strongly advise not to
mount any clamps, brackets, supports, etc. on the cylinder cover studs.

Example of holders on cylinder cover stud

1. Clamp and bracket mounted on cylinder cover stud

Fig. 6

Attention:
Do not mount any clamps, brackets, etc. on the cylinder cover studs.

If you have questions to the content of this Technical Bulletin or you need
Wärtsilä assistance, services, spare parts and/or tools, please contact your
nearest Wärtsilä representative or send your enquiry to:
technicalsupport.chts@wartsila.com
or phone 24hrs Support: +41 52 262 80 10.

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contained herein. Information in this publication is subject to change without notice.
Unless otherwise expressly set forth, no recommendation contained in this document is to be construed as
provided due to a defect in the engine, but merely as an improvement of the engine and/or the maintenance
procedures relating thereto. Any actions by the owner/operator as a result of the recommendations are not
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