Service Bulletin RTA–27

26.04.96
Technical Information to all the Owners
of Sulzer RTA – Type Diesel Engines
except RTA38 and RTA48

Plastic Water Separator

Contents: Page

INTRODUCTION 1
1. SERVICE CONDITIONS 2
TO BE OBSERVED

2. POSSIBLE REASONS OF 2
DAMAGE

3. PICTURES OF DAMAGED 3
ELEMENTS
28.88.07.40 – Printed in Switzerland

Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd PO Box 414 Tel. +41 52 262 49 22

Wärtsilä NSD Schweiz AG CH-8401 Winterthur Fax +41 52 212 49 17
Wärtsilä NSD Suisse SA Switzerland Tlx 896 659 NSDL CH
INTRODUCTION

RTAtype engines are fitted with condense water separators after the air cooler(s). These
separators are made either of aluminium Euroform  profile or, mainly on FarEast built
engines, of stainless steel material. In recent years a plastic type separator has been
introduced for new engines and as a replacement for corroded separators of earlier
generations. The plastic version consists of the same efficient and wellproven Euroform 
profile as the aluminium version.
Recently we have received reports about deformed plastic water separators. The reason for
such failures is overheating of the elements. This can only occur in a case where the scavenge
air is not cooled sufficiently, i.e. the temperature has been well above the alarm limit of
65
C. 1)
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.

Direction of
air flow

Water separator

Drawn for RTA...2 (RTA84C)

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1. SERVICE CONDITIONS TO BE OBSERVED

The engine must be operated in accordance with the instructions given in the instruction
manual. The guidelines for cleaning of air and water side of the scavenge air cooler have to
be adhered to.

A scavenge air temperature alarm after the air cooler(s) must be installed, adjusted
correctly and in operation.

Nominal specified cooling water flow through the air coolers with an inlet temperature
within the prescribed limits will result in an air temperature after cooler of well below the
alarm level of 65
C.1)
Setting values and function time delay of charge air:

After air cooler: Alarm 65
C ; Slow Down: 65
C time delay 60 ''
Piston underside: Alarm 80
C ; Slow Down: 120
C time delay 60 ''

Please refer to the instruction manual chapter 025 or 0250 and to our Service Bulletin
RTA2, dated 05.10.1988.

Bypass flows between the tube bundle and the housing of the scavenge air cooler are to be
avoided.

Alarms must be observed and corrective actions taken.

Use only original separators based on the Wärtsilä NSD specifications together with the
Wärtsilä NSD standard rack designed to attach the plastic separator. The supports used
for aluminium separators are not suitable.

2. POSSIBLE REASONS OF DAMAGE

The following conditions may damage a plastic water separator:

 Too little or no cooling water flow through the scavenge air cooler.

 Contamination of the scavenge air cooler air and/or water side.

 Too high scavenge air temperature due to an air cooler in substandard condition.

 Air bypassing between tube bundle and casing.

1) For new engine generation RTA48T / 58T / 96C, the limit will be 60
C.

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3. PICTURES OF DAMAGED ELEMENTS
This separator was in service without cooling water flow through the air cooler. It is of utmost
importance to keep the scavenge air temperature at its proper level in order to avoid any
damage to the elements of the plastic water separator.

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4. 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-17.1 dated 28.02.95 / Circulation Valve to Fuel Injection Valve
RTA-18 dated 15.09.94 / Runningin of Piston Rings and Cylinder Liners
RTA-19 dated 28.10.94 / Oil Supply Monitoring for Geislinger Torsional Vibration
Damper
RTA-20 dated 30.11.94 / Rotational Safety Studs for Roller Guide of Fuel Pump and
Exhaust Valve Actuator
RTA-21 dated 10.04.95 / Improvement of Starting Behaviour (For engines with
DENIS-1 and DENIS-5 Control Systems only!)
RTA-22 dated 10.07.95 / Waisted Bolts for Piston Crown Spraying Plate of RTA 84C,
84CU, 84M and 84T Type Engines
RTA-24 dated 03.11.95 / ABBTurbochargers Type VTR ..4 Introduction of Advanced
Types of Bearings and Centrifuges
RTA-26 dated 03.01.96 / Loss of Material on Piston Crowns due to High Temperature
Corrosion and Erosion
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.

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