Preconditions

Engines must be run in

during commissioning at site if, after the test run, pistons or bearings
were removed for inspection and/or if the engine was partly or com-
pletely disassembled for transport,
on installation of new running gear components, e.g. cylinder liners,
pistons, piston rings, main bearings, big-end bearings and piston pin
bearings.
on installation of used bearing shells,
after an extended low-load operation (> 500 operating hours).

Supplementary information

Adjustment required Surface irregularities on the piston rings and the cylinder liner running sur-
face are smoothed out during the running-in process. The process is
ended when the first piston ring forms a perfect seal towards the combus-
tion chamber, i.e. the first piston ring exhibits an even running surface
around its entire circumference. If the engine is subjected to a higher load
before this occurs, the hot exhaust gases will escape between the piston
rings and the cylinder liner running surface. The film of oil will be destroyed
at these locations. The consequence will be material destruction (e.g.
scald marks) on the running surface of the rings and the cylinder liner and
increased wear and high oil consumption during subsequent operation.

The duration of the running-in period is influenced by a number of factors,

including the condition of the surface of the piston rings and the cylinder
liner, the quality of the fuel and lubricating oil and the loading and speed of
the engine. The running-in periods shown in Figure and
respectively are, therefore, for guidance only.

Operating media

Fuel Diesel oil or heavy fuel oil can be used for the running-in process. The fuel
used must satisfy the quality requirements (Section 3.3) and be appropri-
ate for the fuel system layout.
The gas that is to be later used under operational conditions is best used
when running-in spark-ignited gas engines. Dual-fuel engines are run in in
diesel mode using the fuel that will later be used as pilot oil.

Lubricating oil The lubricating oil to be used while running-in the engine must satisfy the
quality requirements (Section 3.3) relating to the relevant fuel quality.

Attention! The entire lube oil system is to be rinsed thoroughly

before taking the engine into operation for the first time (see work
card 000.03).

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Running-in the engine

Cylinder lubrication During the entire running-in process, the cylinder lubrication is to be
switched to the “Running-in” mode. This is done at the control cabinet
and/or the operator’s panel (under “Manual Operation”) and causes the
cylinder lubrication to be activated over the entire load range already when
the engine is started. The increased oil supply has a favourable effect on
the running-in of the piston rings and pistons. After completion of the run-
ning-in process, the cylinder lubrication is to be switched back to “Normal
Mode”.

Checks During running-in, the bearing temperature and crankcase are to be

checked,
for the first time after 10 minutes of operation at minimum speed,
after operational output levels have been reached.
The bearing temperatures (camshaft bearings, big-end and main bearings)
are to be measured and compared with those of the neighbouring bear-
ings. For this purpose, an electric tracer-type thermometer can be used
as measuring device.

At 85% load and on reaching operational output levels, the operating data
(firing pressures, exhaust gas temperatures, charge air pressure, etc.) are
to be checked and compared with the acceptance record.

Standard running-in programme Marine engines for propeller plants (operation at variable speed)
Running-in can be carried out with a fixed-pitch, controllable-pitch, or zero-
thrust-pitch propeller. During the entire running-in period, the engine out-
put is to remain within the output range that has been marked in Figure
and respectively, i.e. below the theoretical propeller curve. Critical
speed ranges are to be avoided.

Running-in during commissioning Four-stroke engines are, with a few exceptions, always subjected to a test
at site run in the manufacturer’s works, so that the engine has been run in, as a
rule. Nevertheless, repeated running is required after assembly at the final
place of installation if pistons or bearings were removed for inspection
after the test run or if the engine was partly or completely disassembled for
transportation.

Running-in after installation of In case cylinder liners, pistons and/or piston rings are replaced on the oc-
new running gear components casion of overhaul work, the engine has to be run in again. Running-in is
also required if the rings have been replaced on one piston only. Run-
ning-in is to be carried out according to Figures and and/or the
pertinent explanations.

The cylinder liner requires rehoning according to work card 050.05 unless
it is replaced. A portable honing device can be obtained from one of our
service bases.

Running-in after refitting used If used bearing shells were refitted or new bearing shells installed, the
or installing new bearing respective bearings have to be run in. The running-in period should be
shells (main bearing, big-end three to five hours, applying load in stages. The remarks in the previous
and piston pin bearing) paragraphs, especially under “Checks”, as well as Figure and
respectively are to be observed.
Idling at high speed over an extended period is to be avoided, wherever
possible.

Running-in after low-load ope- Continuous operation in the low-load range may result in heavy internal
ration contamination of the engine. Combustion residues from the fuel and lubri-
cating oil may deposit on the top-land ring of the piston, in the ring grooves
and possibly also in the inlet ducts. Besides, the charge-air and exhaust

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 piping, the charge-air cooler, the turbocharger and the exhaust gas boiler
may become oily.

As also the piston rings will have adapted themselves to the cylinder liner
according to the loads they have been subjected to, accelerating the en-
gine too quickly will result in increased wear and possibly cause other
types of engine damage (piston ring blow-by, piston seizure).

After prolonged low-load operation ( 500 operating hours), the engine

should therefore be run in again, starting from the output level, at which it
has been operated, in accordance with the Figures and .
Please also refer to the notes in Section 3.5.4 ”Low-load operation”.

Tip! For additional information, the after-sales service department of

MAN B&W Diesel AG or of the licensee will be at your disposal.

A Controllable-pitch propeller
B Fixed-pitch propeller
C Engine output
(specified range)
D Running-in period in [h]
E Engine speed and output
in [%]

Figure 1. Standard running-in programme for marine propulsion engines (variable

speed) of the 32/40 engine type

A Controllable-pitch propeller
B Fixed-pitch propeller
C Engine output
(specified range)
D Running-in period in [h]
E Engine speed and output
in [%]

Figure 2. Standard running-in programme for marine propulsion engines (variable

speed) of the 40/54, 48/60, 58/64 engine types

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