The connecting rod of a high-capacity marine engine requires periodic calibration. The marine and power industry has experienced serious accidents due to the failure of connecting rods. Some of the accidents due to failure of the connecting rods have even resulted in complete damage of the engine.
RA Power Solutions has undertaken reconditioning and repair of connecting rods, mainly of high-capacity engines for the last 4 decades of Wartsila, Caterpillar Engine, MAK, MAN, Mitsubishi, Yanmar, Pielstick, Deutz, etc.
We are following procedure for repair of connecting rods:
- We thoroughly clean the connecting rods with special chemicals to remove oil and dirt.
- We visually check the connecting rod for any signs of overheating, which may appear as a “bluish” discoloration. In such cases, we check the hardness and perform MPI to detect cracks in the overheated area.
- A qualified technician performs the magnetic particle test under the supervision of a senior engineer. They check the serration, connecting rod bolt, bolt seating area, and the complete connecting rod for cracks. We do not accept any connecting rod with cracks.
- We check the connecting rod bolts for elongation. If we find any deviation, we replace the bolts.
- We tighten the connecting rod big end bolt according to the torque specified by the manufacturer.
- Check the big end bore for taper and ovality. We also look at the bore to see whether it is damaged.
- We inspect the small end bore for taper, ovality, or any visual damage.
- Connecting rod is subject to shot blasting.
- The first step for repair is to lap the serrations to the minimum, in order to bring the bore size to minus with enough allowance for internal grinding. For this special purpose machine is used.
- We replace the small end bush with a new one if the taper or ovality is on the higher side.
- We place the connecting rod on our boring machine equipped with the latest generation of DRDO. We then check the straightness of the connecting rod.
- We do not recommend use of any connecting rod which has lost its alignment. No deviation is accepted and it is not recommended to straighten the connecting rod.
- We bore the big end and small end simultaneously. This process not only maintains the taper and ovality of both bores but also ensures the center distance between them is accurate.
- All the sharp edges are removed after boring operation.
- We again perform a dimensional inspection of the connecting rod. We record all the readings.
- While returning the connecting rod, proper packing is ensured.
Why Recondition with RA Power Solutions?
- Unmatched Expertise: Four decades of proven experience in marine engine component repairs
- Cost Savings: Reconditioned rods cost a fraction of new OEM parts—typically ¼ to ⅓ the price
- As-Good-As-New Performance: Thorough inspection and repair guarantee performance on par with new rods
- Strict Safety Standards: Any rod with alignment deviation or cracks is rejected—safety first
For more information on connecting rod repair, reconditioning of connecting rods, engine connecting rods, connecting rod replacement, and repair of connecting rods, contact us at rajshahani@rapowersolutions.com or info@rapowersolutions.com, or call us at +91 9582647131 or +91 9810012383.
FAQs:
Damage can occur due to overheating, lack of lubrication, excessive engine load, or metal fatigue over time.
Yes. If there are no cracks and the geometry is restorable, our technicians can recondition the connecting rod to OEM specifications, saving significant costs compared to buying a new one.
We perform Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) under the supervision of a senior engineer to detect even the smallest cracks in the serrations, bolts, bolt seating area, and the rod body.
We bore both ends simultaneously to correct taper and ovality, ensuring the correct center distance between them. If required, we replace the small end bush.
Yes. We can perform inspections and certain repairs at the client’s site, and we also have a fully equipped workshop for complete reconditioning.
The connecting rod of a high-capacity marine engine requires periodic calibration. The marine and power industry has experienced serious accidents due to the failure of connecting rods. Some of the accidents due to failure of the connecting rods have even resulted in complete damage of the engine. RA Power Solutions has undertaken reconditioning and repair … Continue reading “Repair of Connecting Rod for High Capacity Engine – RA Power Solutions”