VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES

SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES, THALAMBUR

DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING

MARINE MACHINERY START UP SEMESTER:8

STARTING PROCEDURE FOR MAIN ENGINE

For various types of main engines of ships, it is important to carry out proper checks, take
necessary precautions and maintain parameters for trouble-free operation. Good
watchkeeping and maintenance results in higher efficiency, fewer breakdowns, and smooth
operation. In this article, we will go through some generalised and most important points
for all types of main engines.

PREPARING TO START SHIP’S MAIN ENGINE

Before starting the main engine, the following checks and procedures are to be undertaken.

All components that have been overhauled are to be checked and wherever possible
“function tested”. All equipment, tools, and rags used during overhaul are to be removed
from the engine.

1. Air systems

a) Drain any water present in the starting air system

b) Drain any water present from the control air system at the receivers
c) Pressurise the air systems and ensure that the pressures are correct
d) Ensure compressed air is available at the exhaust valve ‘air spring’ closing cylinders

2. Lubricating oil systems

a) Check the oil level in the main engine sump and replenish if necessary
b) Start main engine LO pump and a turbocharger LO pump
c) Ensure all of the oil pressures are correct
d) Ensure there is adequate oil flow for piston cooling and turbochargers
e) Check the oil level in the cylinder LO tank and that the supply to the lubricator is open.
Check cylinder oil flowmeter is properly functioning and note the counter of the flowmeter

3. Cooling water systems

a) Ensure Main Engine Jackets are under normal circumstances, the main engine jacket
water is continuously circulated through a preheater during the stay in port and are never
 VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES
SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES, THALAMBUR
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING

MARINE MACHINERY START UP SEMESTER:8

allowed to cool down

b) Ensure that the cooling water system pressures are correct and that the systems are not
leaking. Checks should be made again when the engine is at its correct operating
temperature
c) Check the level of the expansion tank. An evident decrease in the water level of the
expansion tank indicates leakage.

4. Slow turning the engine with the turning gear

Slow turning of the engine must be carried out to prevent damage caused by fluid leaking
into any of the cylinders. Permission from the bridge must be sought before turning the
engine. Pre-lubrication should be carried out. Always carry out the slow turning operation at
the latest possible moment before starting.

a) Ensure the regulating handles are in the FINISHED WITH ENGINES position
b) Ensure all of the cylinder indicator cocks are open
c) Turn the engine one revolution with the turning gear. Check to see if fluid flows out of any
of the indicator valves
d) Disengage the turning gear and ensure it is locked in the OUT position
e) Check that the indicator lamp for TURNING GEAR ENGAGED extinguishes

5. Slow turning the engine on starting air (blow through)

Permission must be sought from the bridge before turning the engine. The bridge should be
asked for propeller clearance. Always carry out the slow turning at the latest possible
moment before starting and within the last 30 minutes. Bring Main Engine to standby mode.

a) Select SLOW TURNING on the main engine operating panel if present or give a kick from
engine control room by moving the regulating handle to dead slow momentarily. When
operating telegraph from engine control, communicate with the bridge, they should follow
your command on the telegraph. As the engine turns, check to see if any fluid flows out of
the indicator cocks

b) When the engine has turned one revolution, move the regulating handle back to the
STOP position

c) Close all of the indicator cocks. Also, close the turbocharger drains
 VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES
SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES, THALAMBUR
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING

MARINE MACHINERY START UP SEMESTER:8

6. Fuel oil system

a) Check fuel oil supply pump and fuel oil circulating pump. If the engine was running on
heavy fuel oil when stopped, the circulating pump and fuel heaters should still be running
b) Check the fuel oil pressures and temperatures. Check fuel oil flowmeters are properly
functioning and note the counter of the flowmeter

7. Miscellaneous

a) Check that all of the engine instrumentation is reading correctly. If not, check the
instruments and replace as necessary
b) Check that all scavenge air receiver and box drains are open and that the test cocks are
closed
c) Check that the engine top bracing system is in service
d) Check the thrust bearing temperature and lube oil pressure is in range. Check axial
vibration damper and torsional vibration damper lube oil pressure is in range
e) Check the fuel leak off alarm is functional. Check the level of fuel leak off tank to notice
any rise in level later due to leakage
f) Check the level of scavenge drain tank, the tank should not be full or else will lead to
overflow of scavenge spaces of Main Engine
g) Check the governer is responding efficiently

Normal Operation Checks

 During normal running, regular checks have to be made and precautions are to be taken
 Regular checks of the system and engine pressures and temperatures
 The values read off the instruments compared with those given in the commissioning
records, taking into account engine speed and/or engine power, provide an excellent
datum for estimating the engine performance. Compare temperatures by feeling the pipes.
The essential readings are the load indicator position, turbocharger speed, charge air
pressure and exhaust gas temperature before the turbine. A valuable criterion is also the
daily fuel consumption, considering the lower calorific value
 Check and compare between cylinders the mean indicated pressure, compression pressure
and maximum combustion pressures

 Check the operation of the oil mist detector

 Check all of the shut-off valves in the cooling and lubricating systems for correct position.
The valves for the cooling inlets and outlets on each engine must always be fully open in
service. They serve only to cut off individual cylinders from the cooling water circuit during
overhauls
 VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES
SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES, THALAMBUR
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING

MARINE MACHINERY START UP SEMESTER:8

 When abnormally high or low temperatures are detected at a water outlet, the temperature
must be brought to the prescribed normal value very gradually. Abrupt temperature
changes can cause damage
 The maximum permissible exhaust gas temperature at the turbocharger inlet must not be
exceeded
 Check the combustion by observing the colour of the exhaust gases

 Maintain the correct charge air temperature after the air cooler with the normal water flow.
In general, higher charge air temperatures will result in less oxygen in the cylinder, which in
turn will result in a higher fuel consumption and higher exhaust gas temperatures
 Check the charge air pressure drop across the air filters and air coolers. Excessive resistance
will lead to a lack of air to the engines

 The fuel oil has to be carefully filtered before being used. Open the drain cocks of all fuel
tanks and fuel oil filters regularly for a short period to drain off any water or sludge which
may have collected there. Maintain the correct fuel oil pressure at the inlet to the fuel
injection pumps. Adjust the pressure at the injection pump supply manifold with the
pressure-regulating valve in the fuel oil return pipe, so that the fuel oil circulates within the
system at the normal delivery capacity of the fuel oil circulating pump
 The heavy fuel oil has to be sufficiently heated to ensure that its viscosity before the inlet to
the fuel injection pumps lies within the specified limits
 Determine the cylinder lubricating oil consumption. Extended service experience will
determine the optimum cylinder lubricating oil consumption

 The cooling fresh water pumps should be run at their normal operating point, ie, the actual
delivery head corresponds with the designed value. If the pressure difference between inlet
and outlet exceeds the desired value, the pump overhaul should be considered
 The vents at the uppermost points of the cooling water spaces must be kept closed
 Check the level in all water and oil tanks as well as all the drainage tanks of the
leakage piping. Investigate any abnormal changes
 Observe the condition of the cooling fresh water. Check for oil contamination
 Check the charge air receiver drain manifold’s sight glass to see if any water is
draining away and if so, how much
 Check the scavenge space test cocks to see if any liquid is flowing out with the
charge air
 Check the pressure drop across the oil filters. Clean them if necessary
 The temperature of the running gear should be checked where possible by listening
and observing the crankcase externally and monitoring the oil mist detector
readings. Bearings which have been overhauled or replaced must be given special
attention for some time after being put into normal service
 Listening to the noise of the engine will reveal any irregularities
 The power being developed by the cylinders should be checked regularly and
adjustments made via the control system to preserve cylinder power balance
 VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES
SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES, THALAMBUR
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING

MARINE MACHINERY START UP SEMESTER:8

 Centrifuge the lubricating oil. Lube oil samples should be taken at frequent intervals
and sent ashore for analysis
 Check the exhaust valves are rotating and operating smoothly. If not, the valve not
rotating normally has to be overhauled at the next opportunity

NOTE: main engine can be started from three places.

 Engine control room

 Bridge
 Local manoeuvring platform.

Securing After Stopping

 After Bridge has given Finish with Engines, switch the engine control to engine
control room
 Check that the auxiliary blowers switch off automatically at Finish with engines(FEW)
if they are in AUTO mode or else switch them off manually

 Close the starting air valve of the main engine and vent control air system. A good
practice is to lock the main starting valve in its lowest position by means of the
locking plate
 Close the valve for starting air distribution system
 Engage the turning gear and check the indicator lamp
 After stopping the engine, wait a minimum of 15 minutes before stopping the main
engine LO pump if work is to be undertaken in the crankcase. This prevents
overheating of cooled surfaces in the combustion chambers and counteracts the
formation of carbon deposits in the piston crowns.
 Keep the engine preheated to a minimum of 50°C or according to main engine
manual requirement
 If the engine was operating on HFO, do not stop the FO circulating and supply
pumps. If the engine was operating on MDO, both the FO circulating and supply
pumps may be stopped
 Switch off any equipment which is not required during the engine standstill period