Service Letter SL12-559/MIKA

Action code: IMMEDIATELY

Valve Adjustment
Procedure
Dear Sirs

After introduction of the 2008 version for the L16/24 engine we ex- SL12-559/MIKA
perienced unforeseen valve damage. After thorough investigation March 2012
of the parts, the root cause was detected to be faulty adjustment of
the valve clearance. Similar incidents have been seen on L21/31 and Concerns
L27/38. The incorrect valve adjustment effects high stress on the Owners and operators of MAN Diesel &
valve bridge guides and, in the worst case, incidents with breakdown Turbo four-stroke diesel engines.
of the engine. Type:
GenSet L16/24, L21/31, L27/38
In 2009 an “Updated Valve Adjustment Procedure” was released in Propulsion L21/31, L27/38
Service Letter SL09-517. The procedure was complex, time con-
suming and not operational for the crew. This complexity has in
some cases led to incorrect adjustment of the valve clearance.

Countermeasure:
With this Service letter we now introduce a new, simplified procedure
based on operational experience. The procedure is introduced in our
Instruction Books, Working Card 508-01.10 (edition 14) and enclosed
to this Service Letter. The valve clearance tolerances are to be found
in the Instruction Book, Section 500.35, for each specific engine Enclosure:
type. Working Card 508-01.10 (14)

The simplified valve adjustment procedure replaces all former pro-

cesses released for the engine types stated in this Service Letter.
Please remove the previous edition in your Instruction Book and re-
place it with the new version enclosed to this Service Letter.

If you have any questions regarding this Service Letter, please feel
free to contact us via our e-mail addresses:

GenSet engines: [email protected]

Propulsion engines: [email protected]

Yours faithfully

Mikael C. Jensen Jens Christensen

Vice President Manager
Engineering Operation

MAN Diesel & Turbo MAN Diesel & Turbo MAN Diesel & Turbo
H. Christoffersensvej 6 Niels Juels Vej 15 Branch of MAN Diesel & Turbo SE,
4960 Holeby 9900 Frederikshavn Germany
Denmark Denmark CVR No.: 31611792
Phone: +45 54 69 31 00 Phone: +45 96 20 41 00 Head office: Teglholmsgade 41
Fax: +45 54 69 30 30 Fax: +45 96 20 40 30 2450 Copenhagen SV, Denmark
[email protected] [email protected] German Reg.No.: HRB 22056
Amtsgericht Augsburg
www.mandieselturbo.com
MAN Diesel & Turbo

Working Card
Control and adjusting of valve clearance 50801.10
Page 1 (3) Edition 14

L16/24, L21/31,
L27/38

Safety precautions: Special tools:

Stopped engine Plate no Item no Note

Shutoff starting air
Shutoff cooling water
Shutoff fuel oil
Stopped lub. oil circul.
Press Blocking  reset

Description: Hand tools:

Control and/or adjustment of inlet and exhaust Socket wrench

valve clearance. Feeler gauge
Torque spanner

Starting position:

Cover for valve camshaft is removed.

Cover for cylinder top is removed.

Related procedure:

Manpower: Replacement and wearing parts:

Working time : 1½ hours Plate no Item no Qty/

Capacity : 1 man
See also plate 50502
Data:

Data for pressure and tolerance (Page 500.35)

Data for tightening torque (Page 500.40)
Declaration of weight (Page 500.45)

12.08 - ES0
 MAN Diesel & Turbo

50801.10 Control and adjusting of valve clearance Working Card

Edition 14 Page 2 (3)

L16/24, L21/31,
L27/38
1. Shut-off starting air and fuel oil.

2. Stop the lubricating oil circulation.

3. Dismantle the cylinder top cover.

4. Dismantle the clamp for non-turning bridge, if

mounted (L16/24).

5. Turn the crankshaft until the cylinder is in igni-

tion TDC (both valves closed).

6. Check that the surfaces are clean. Feeler gauge

7. Loosen the counter nut, pos. 1, and the adjust- Pos. 5

ing screw, pos. 2, on the valve bridge.

Pos. 4 Fig. 2
Pos. 3
Pos. 2

Pos. 1 11. Adjust the screw, pos. 2, on the valve bridge

until the feeler gauge makes slightly more re-
sistance, but it must still be possible to move
the feeler gauge.

12. Tighten the counter nut, pos. 1, on the valve

bridge with torque. Re-check that the feeler
gauge clearance has not changed.

Fig. 1

P1 P3

8. Loosen the counter nut, pos. 3, and the adjusting P2

screw, pos. 4, on the rocker arm and insert the
feeler gauge between valve bridge and rocker
arm, pos. 5.

9. Adjust the screw , pos. 4, on the rocker arm until

the feeler gauge makes only slight resistance.

10. Tighten the counter nut, pos. 3, on the rocker

arm with torque. Re-check that the feeler gauge
clearance has not changed. Fig. 3

12.08 - ES0
MAN Diesel & Turbo

Working Card
Control and adjusting of valve clearance 50801.10
Page 3 (3) Edition 14

L16/24, L21/31,
L27/38
- Attach the socket wrench straight on the hexa-
gon nut before screwing.
P1

- Adjust the torque correctly, see values for

tightening in description 500.40.

P2 - Tools consisting of several part, can fall into

for L21/31 and pieces.
L27/38

for L16/24 - All bolted joints to be re-established.

P3

Caution:

Fig. 4 - Engine parts can be hot; watch out for burns.

- Slipping can cause injuries.

13. The adjustment is completed. - Injuries such as crushing of fingers, hands or
similar.
14. Install the clamp for the non-turning bridge, if
mounted (L16/24). - Slipping of torque spanner or similar tools can
cause injuries.
15. Install the cylinder head cover.
- Falling down from working position and/or hit-
ting engine parts can cause injuries.
Please note:
- Damaging of socket wrench, hexagon nut or
- The engine must be cold or cooled down for screw can cause injuries.
at least 30 minutes.
- Sharp-edged feeler gauge can cause injuries.
- Ensure to have a firm stand before working on
the engine. - Be careful not to put fingers between adjusting
screw and valve.
- It is not allowed to turn during the adjustment
process. - Wrong torque can cause injuries.

- The torque spanner must be positioned com- - Damaged parts must not be reused.
pletely on the coupling.

12.08 - ES0