CYLINDER LUBRICANT SAMPLING PROCEDURE

Sampling of cylinder lubricant drain oil is a useful monitoring tool: to control liner wear rates to maintain piston cleanliness to avoid conditions resulting in ring seizure and breakage, and liner cracking to monitor efficiency of water separation from scavenge air, and control other sources of water ingress to allow adjustment of cylinder lubricant feed rate at an economic level, avoiding excessive expenditure due to over-lubrication, and on overhaul and parts resulting from under-lubrication.

In order to assess cylinder lubrication conditions it is necessary to obtain used cylinder lubricant samples for analysis. Requirements: For the initial 3 samplings, samples should be taken from all units. We will study the results of these initial samplings and decide which units will require further close monitoring and this will depend on the pattern of the analysis results as well as cylinder condition. Generally, when we have established the pattern, we will only need samples from 2 or 3 units for subsequent monthly samplings. Sampling Procedure: The following sampling procedure should be undertaken to ensure representative samples are obtained. Samples should be taken from individual main engine cylinder lubricant drains whilst the engine is running at constant normal load condition, in calm seas and has attained normal operating temperatures. If operationally possible, take samples within 48 hours of scavenge space cleaning. Drain off a few liters of used lubricant into a suitable clean container. Thoroughly mix the used lubricant then pour into standard lubricating oil-sampling bottles. Each units samples to be collected separately.

Sampling point for B&W Engines

B&W engines are normally fitted with under piston oil drain and sampling arrangements as shown in drawing above. This is located on the fuel pump side of the engine. However, there are some engines that may not be fitted with the sample valves. In such cases, remove the short distance pipe between the engine casing and the drain control valve and weld a sampling valve as per drawing.

Sampling point for Sulzer Engines

Drain A
Stuffing Box Drain (Fuel Pump Side) This is the Wrong side Take the samples

Drain B
Samples should be taken from scavenge trunk side which is the actual under piston drain. Drain arrangement is located below Scavenge Air Receiver

CAUTION: For Sulzer engines we very often come across confusion as to where to take the drain sample from. This is because the Sulzer engine has 2 drains. Drain A This is the drain on the fuel pump side and is the drain oil from the stuffing box. Oil collected from here is mostly the sump oil and not the under piston drain oil which we require. The drawing shown above is that of an enclosed type design. In earlier Sulzer engines you will find the area open where you can see the piston rod and the telescopic pipe arrangement if it has a water-cooled piston. Drain B Samples should be taken from this drain. The piping for this drain is found below the scavenge air receiver with a cock below each unit. The drain from all units normally joins to a common pipe to a strainer before leading to a Residue Tank. Not all engines are fitted with arrangements to collect individual drain samples. If this is not fitted, please improvise a drain cock before the individual cocks as shown in next diagram.

Under Piston Drain Arrangement of an RTA84C

Sampling Cock

Shut off Cock