Two of our engineers have just returned to the workshop after carrying out W3 services on some MTU 396 Emergency Generators. As part of the work scope, they came across this when looking at the secondary filters: The filter was SO full of dirt that when the engine was trying to pull fuel through them, it had torn the elements from the housings, collapsing the metal housings themselves, causing the engine to be severely choked. Considering there...

Our engineers have been working on an interesting engine in the workshop recently which I thought I’d share with you. The engine in question was sent to us by a marine operator for a full overhaul: nothing out of the ordinary there. The engine in question, however, IS out of the ordinary: A Cat 3126A with 2 valve cylinder heads and combined pump injectors. Caterpillar only made a few of these engines, and thanks to various issues with timing,...

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen an increased number of operators in the UK marine sector get in contact for help with their propulsion and generator diesel engines. And – unusually – it’s not because they’re experiencing more complications. Instead, it’s because the lockdown and travel restrictions are making it difficult for UK operators to use support companies from overseas; in many cases, it’s simply not an option. Clearly we all want...

Our engineers have just come back from attending an emergency generator with a Deutz BF6M 1013E engine that had reported fuel in the oil. During this attendance, our engineers were really surprised in what they found, and once again provided an example of the benefits of carrying out thorough engine checks. This engine is a standby set, so it’s rarely used, with just 53 hours on the clock. Despite this, it was emitting smoke so thick that the...

So, here we are, still working through the UK “lockdown”. And while the restriction of movement is having a large impact on lots of things, we have seen an increase in the number of breakdown responses and we had one last week, which may seem straight forward, but still put a client’s contract in jeopardy. The first contact we had was a call to rectify a fuel leak from the right bank high-pressure pump assembly on an MTU 1600 engine. After...

How are you finding things with the COVID-19 restrictions in place? Whilst there are more than enough trials for those having to adjust to being constrained at home, you’ll also be aware of the challenges of supporting critical engines which are still relied on, even with the UK’s partial lockdown. In case you haven’t seen, we’ve put together a completely free 24-hour technical hotline on +44 1206 645070, where we will work with you to rectify...