Diesel Engine Repairs for the Marine and Power Generation industries

The Metalock Engineering Group have carried out successful diesel engine reconditioning and repair for over 70 years on all types of engines.

Endless running times to meet the ever-increasing demands for power means that engine availability is a critical requirement, however, there are times when things don’t always go to plan and even the best-maintained engines can break down and it is always at the most inconvenient time.

Typical Repair Examples

Typical examples of what we can do in this area are:

• Cold Metalock cast iron repairs on cracked or broken engines and associated components (metal-stitching)
• Main bearing pocket transplants
• Machine the main bearing and big end journals while the crankshaft is still in the engine using orbital machining equipment
• Refurbishment of upper/lower cylinder liner landing face and bore areas
• Metal spray and re-machine badly worn, upper liner landing surfaces
• Engine in line boring main bearing pockets
• Engine alignment
• Fusion welding of diesel engine cylinder heads
• Reconditioning of pistons, valves, and seats
• Crankshaft straightening in situ
• Crankshaft heat treatment in situ to reduce hardness values

Onsite Diesel Engine Repair

Cracked or broken diesel engine bedplates and entablatures are routinely repaired by Metalock, often after a catastrophic failure and returned to full-service condition Class Approved in a very short time saving the need for costly replacement.

Onsite diesel engine repair can be carried out by Metalock at sea, alongside or in a drydock or a power generation plant. Anywhere, anytime.

We work directly for companies involved with power generation from land fill gas, Industrial power generation for paper mills, factories, petrochemical plants.

We work on offshore installations (production platforms or drilling rigs) as well as all types of marine vessels. Merchant and Naval - wherever the engine is located we can get there if required.

Cam Effect / Ridge Wear Warnings

Many diesel engine manufacturers have circulated Service Bulletins to their customers warning them of this condition and advise methods to avoid or minimise failures.

When medium speed four stroke engines have accumulated in the region of 60,000 running hours there is a condition that can develop that is sometimes described as the “cam effect” or “ridge wear”.

This develops over a period of time and can be identified as a protruding band that goes around the circumference of the crankpin diameter that can lead to the failure of the crankpin bearing sometimes causing disastrous results.

The effect can cause an extensive build-up of heat which in turn can harden the crankpin diameter causing problems in lubrication and possible crankpin bearing failure.

If no action is taken to rectify this effect a failure may occur.

Entablature Damage

A conrod breaks through the crankcase means a damaged big end bearing diameter, a broken conrod, balance weight damage together with broken studs. Damage on the lower part of the liner – or worse.

Entablature damage, hole in the water jacket as well as a hole in the crankcase - all this explains the term catastrophic failure! Does it mean a new crankshaft or a new engine block? NOT ALWAYS and that’s where the Metalock Engineering Group can help.

Don’t worry we are just a phone call away.