Damage Investigation of a Stork Wärtsilä 6SW280 Engine Valve Exhaust – A Case Study

The loss of steerage in maritime vessels often stems from main engine failures, as expounded in the present article. The focal incident involves a cascading engine breakdown initiated by a single exhaust valve fault. Subsequent consequences encompass the fragmentation of the second exhaust valve, structural damage to the engine components, including the head and piston, cracking of valve seats, and the inadvertent entry of cooling water into a cylinder. The ensuing plastic strain on the cylinder surface, coupled with valve fragments infiltrating the turbocharger, leads to additional, albeit minor, damage. Notably, the high degree of plastic strain obfuscates the original features of the cracked elements, necessitating the author to delineate a hypothetical cause and progression of the destruction process. In the article's conclusive remarks, the author underscores the paramount importance of continuous engine operation monitoring and meticulous fault diagnosis to uphold the safety standards of maritime transport.