Home » Case Studies » Emergency Repair of Port Clutch Failure on NIIGATA 6L28HX Engine
Table of Contents
Case Study
Emergency Repair of Port Clutch Failure on NIIGATA 6L28HX Engine
Table of Contents
Background
Industry
Marine
Solution
Emergency Clutch Overhaul
Make & Model
NIIGATA 6L28HX
Asset
Offshore Supply Vessel
Objective
To identify the root cause of clutch failure and carry out an emergency
Clutch Marine Services
on NIIGATA 6L28HX engine aboard offshore supply ship, ensuring minimal vessel downtime and restoring full functionality.
Challenge / Problem Context
1. Oil leakage observed from clutch output shaft: Active oil leakage was reported at the port side output shaft, raising concerns of internal damage.
2. Abnormal noise and vibrations noted: Ship personnel reported unusual sounds and vibrations during operations.
3. Metal contamination in clutch oil: The metal particles were discovered in clutch oil, indicating early-stage component wear.
4. Failure of output shaft bearing: Excessive play and damaged bearing balls were found during dismantling.
5. Damaged clutch components: The flyer, coupling, seal rings, and bearing race were found worn or fractured.
6. Emergency situation due to vessel downtime risk: Team had to be urgently diverted from another assignment to resolve the failure on priority.
What Did We Do?
1. Investigated and dismantled damaged clutch system: Our team in Qatar was immediately mobilized. The clutch and flyer were carefully dismantled after isolating oil lines, electrical connections, and housing bolts. Damaged components were removed and transported to the workshop for repair.
2. Reconditioned worn components and restored critical surfaces: The damaged seal race was repaired by adding 8mm sleeves and machining the surface for proper alignment. The flyer and output shaft coupling were reconditioned to remove surface wear and restore dimensional accuracy.
3. Replaced worn-out internal elements with genuine spares: The output shaft bearing, friction plates, steel plates, seal rings, and O-rings were replaced with new genuine NIIGATA spares to restore original performance and reliability.
4. Addressed lubrication concerns through inspection and replacement: Lubrication loss due to the broken ring seal was rectified by replacing all affected consumables and performing a detailed lube oil check to avoid recurrence.
5. Conducted parallel inspection of starboard clutch: A full RPM running inspection was conducted for the starboard clutch; all parameters including temperature, vibration, and noise levels were found satisfactory.
Results That We Achieved
1. Oil leakage eliminated and clutch function restored: After reconditioning and replacing damaged parts, oil leakage was fully resolved and normal operations were resumed.
2. Noise and vibration significantly reduced: By replacing the output shaft bearing and correcting the misalignments, the clutch now operates smoothly without abnormal noise or vibration.
3. System reliability improved with OEM parts: Use of genuine NIIGATA parts ensured component integrity, better performance, and extended clutch life.
4. Avoided prolonged vessel downtime: Immediate response and swift repair helped the vessel return to service quickly, avoiding operational and commercial losses.
5. Preventive insights for future overhauls: Recommendation provided to replace the output shaft flyer, coupling, and seal race during the next scheduled overhaul to avoid recurring failures.
