Renewing A Crankshaft on a

Wartsila 32
• Replacing a crankshaft on a medium speed engine can become necessary
after a bearing failure if damage to the crankshaft journals has occurred,
and regrinding of the crankshaft is not feasible. On older engines a 0.4%
carbon steel (EN8 or BS970 080M40) was used for the manufacture of
crankshafts. This material could withstand overheating, and often could be
reground.
• Modern crankshafts for medium speed engines are manufactured from high
tensile steel; for instance a 3% chromium molybdenum nitriding steel
(EN40B or BS 970 722M24). Whether these shafts are surface hardened or
otherwise, the severe overheating that can occur (above 700°C) when a
bearing fails may render the crankshaft beyond repair. On a none hardened
crankshaft, bending and cracking can occur, together with localised
hardening. Where the crankshaft has been surface hardened, then
annealing can occur, together with cracking.
• The following photographs were taken during a crankshaft replacement on a
Wartsila 32 engine. Thanks to John Koufopoulos for the photos.
 Bearing Failure
• In the case where an underslung
crankshaft has to be replaced, the
following gives a guide to the procedure.
• The engine is isolated and
drained down. Oil is
pumped out.
Turbocharger(s) and air
cooler removed. Cylinder
heads, pistons and con
rods, cylinder liners
removed. Timing gears
and camshaft removed (to
lighten engine), Output
shaft disconnected and
flywheel removed.
 Camshaft removed 
• The crankshaft is supported with strops passing
up through the liner bores. Bearing caps are
removed, and the crankshaft can then be
lowered. Alternatively the crankshaft can be
lowered after the frame has been lifted and
supported.
• Holding down bolts are removed. The equipment
to lift the engine frame may have to be
fabricated and load tested. In the case shown it
takes the form of two plates with welded lifting
eyes bolted onto the entablature using the
cylinder head studs.
• The engine frame is now
lifted to a height which
will allow the crankshaft
to be removed either
longitudinally or sideways
from the  engine. The
engine frame is landed on
supports.
• In this particular case the
crankshaft was removed
longitudinally.
• This view is taken
lengthways through
the engine. Note the
protection wrapped
around the bearing
cap stud threads and
the bearing caps
lying in the sump
pan.
• This view shows the
crankshaft prior to fitting
in the engine. Note  the
projecting studs for
fitting the
counterweights.
• Above and Below: The new crankshaft
is being lifted and pulled into position.
Note the Wooden blocks (below)
supporting the frame.
• Once the crankshaft has been lifted into
position and secured with bearing caps the
engine frame can be lowered back into
position, and the holding down bolts
replaced. reassembly is basically the
reverse of disassembly, with checks for
crankshaft alignment. Rechocking may be
required if the alignment has been
disturbed, with the engine originally
mounted on resin chocks.