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ME297
Malfunction of the Main Engine Starting Air Automatic
Shut-Off Valve
Technical committee

Ship type Tanker

Date of build July 1992 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Nagasaki Shipyard Machinery
Works
Navigation route Tramper (Persian Gulf Japan)
Trouble machinery
Category Main engine
Name Main engine starting air automatic shut-off valve
Type Main engine Mitsubishi 9UEC75LSII
Maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Date of trouble Mid-February 1996 during S/B condition for port departure

1. Outline of breakdown
After departure from Japan port, the main engine starting air automatic shut-off valve would not close. At
once, the main valve of the starting air reservoir was shut. As starting air into the main engine cylinder
was shut-off, damage was prevented.

2. Causes
(refer to Fig. 1 and 2)
Sticking of the piston (09) in the three way selector (401A) pilot valve which controls operation of the
main engine starting air automatic closing valve is surmised to have caused this trouble.
Overhaul inspection confirmed scratching to the cylinder (body) B part, and the piston (09) was
contacting with force.
When the piston was withdrawn during the previous overhaul and maintenance, as the mounting support
of skirt A was almost the same diameter as B, it is surmised that scratching occurred because of strong
pulling.

3. Repair
Scratches were removed with emery cloth and the inside was cleaned. After restoration, operation tests
were carried out and satisfactory operation was confirmed.

1
The Marine Engineer Sep.1996
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Fig. 1 Three way selector valve (401A)

2
The Marine Engineer Sep.1996
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3
The Marine Engineer Sep.1996