- Caterpillar Products:
- All Marine Propulsion Engines, Marine Auxiliary Engines, and Marine Generator Set Engines
Reasons for Concern
The recent spill of crude oil and the use of dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico may affect engines that operate in the area. Caterpillar has not performed testing of cooling system components in the polluted water.
Depending on the level of contamination and on the length of exposure, the following components may be fouled or caused to leak. Damage to these components may result in the need for unexpected maintenance and/or repairs:
- Pumps
- Heat exchangers
- Aftercoolers
- Seals
- Hoses
- Any other component that is in contact with the polluted water
Recommendations
Perform these procedures more frequently during operation in the polluted water:
- Visual inspection for leaks
- Checks of fluid levels
- Monitoring the temperatures of the coolant, the inlet air, and the exhaust
If unexpected repairs cannot be tolerated, perform additional monitoring. Monitor the flow rate of the seawater by measuring the pressure drop across any pump or cooler that is using the seawater.
Follow the appropriate cleaning procedures in the Operation and Maintenance Manual if unusual operation is observed. Also perform the cleaning procedures when the vessel is no longer operating in the polluted environment.
Replace any component that appears to be damaged or degraded.
In the interest of sharing lessons that are learned from this occurrence, consult Caterpillar if components are fouled and/or damaged.