Knotical Knews #16: A Big Wet Oily Me$$.
With the ongoing and growing catastrophe in the gulf we here at the World Of Boating share our listeners concern with this unfolding environmental and economic tragedy. The effects to date have been nothing short of a generational cataclysm of an unprecedented magnitude so let’s talk about something that is just as important……your boat.
We have over the past few weeks talked about what to do in case your boat comes in contact with oil that happens to be spewing from a ruptured underwater oil pipeline. First thing is……What the hell are you doing in those waters to begin with? Sightseeing? Taking pictures…of oil? Go watch CNN or MSNBC and stay out of the areas that are affected, will be affected, or may be affected by the damn oil.
I have already heard reports from trusted sources in the Panhandle that people have been venturing out to the contaminated areas and when asked why one of the reasons given was, ” Because this is a once in a lifetime event and we want to see it up close so we can understand what’s happening”. Yea, right. What you want is to get your picture on the evening news or perhaps an interview. Jackpot! Warhol was right.
Now in the unlikely event that you happen to be out enjoying a fun and sunny day out in the gulf and you “mistakenly” run your boat through an oily patch of water you are going to have some issues. Below you will find the latest advisory from Volvo Penta NA. It does not discuss what steps you can take in case you run your boat in/through contaminated water other than to let you know that you that there are components of your engine and drive that can suffer damage and you will need to take it to an authorized service center.
Of course the best way to avoid damage is by keeping your boat out of those areas that are contaminated. You have oil on top and below the water and unless you’re Aquaman you aren’t going to see the oil until it’s too late. If your vessel is not trailerable due to its size you can have it hauled and blocked at a marina, shipyard, etc. If you are unable to get your vessel out and the oil contamination is approaching the area where you have your vessel moored you can place some of those oil booms around your boat and avoid running any systems that require the intake of the water that your vessel is sitting in, e.g., engine, generator, air conditioner.
Just the same here it is.
Capt. Patrick
BTW: This is the 69th published post on worldofboating.com 69!….69!….yea, I’m 12 years old.
 |
|
Corrected Special Edition: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Affect on Engines & Drives
|
|
Since the April 20, 2010, oil rig explosion, millions of gallons of crude oil have spewed into the Gulf of Mexico. The oil has reached the shore in Louisiana, and is likely to extend eastward and impact other Gulf States, including Florida.
“This disaster has and will affect an overwhelming number of Americans, their businesses, their recreation, and our natural resources,” said Clint Moore, president of Volvo Penta of the Americas. “We hope that containment and clean up efforts are successful and swift in order to protect our nation’s waterways. And, we encourage Volvo Penta owners to be proactive in protecting their boats during this difficult time.” Many boaters are concerned about the impact of the oil on their engines while sitting at the dock or during operation in waters where oil may be present. Like many other aspects of this disaster, there is uncertainty regarding the long term effect of mooring or operation of a boat in oil infested waters. Most manufacturers, including Volvo Penta, have not performed formal testing of engines under these unique and extreme conditions. Because of this uncertainty, all boat owners need to exercise special diligence to protect their boat investment. Volvo Penta’s experience shows that ingestion of even small amounts of oil into the cooling system of the engine may cause damage to the engine and/or many of its subsystems. Sterndrive components or other running gear may also be damaged by submersion in oil contaminated water. In order to avoid expensive repair bills and long term damage, owners are encouraged to contact their Volvo Penta dealer for service recommendations if a boat has been operated or exposed to oil contaminated water. Volvo Penta has issued specific service and repair recommendations for its authorized dealers to address this unique issue.
|
All Marine Engines
Binder: A,B,C Date: 05-2010 Page: 1(5)
Models Affected: All marine engines operated inwaters affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
In addition to the environmental disaster, the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has also created a situation that can be detrimental to marine engines. As the oil spreads along the coasts of the Gulf, and possibly further, owners and operators of marine engines must take extra precautions to protect their vessels.
Boat Owner Alert
The following information has been posted on our web sites:
Volvo Penta does not recommend the operation of any Volvo Penta marine gasoline, diesel or transmission products in water contaminated by spilled crude oil.
The ingestion of even small amounts of oil into the cooling system of the engine may cause damage to the engine and/or many of its subsystems. Sterndrive components or other running gear may also be damaged by submersion in oil contaminated water.
If your boat has been operated in or exposed to oil contaminated water, please contact your Volvo
Penta dealer for service recommendations.
Service Bulletin
Group 17-9 Number 3 Version 1
Dealer Response
The effects of an oil spill and water contaminated with large amounts of crude oil on marine engines are not thoroughly known. However, based on what is known and on taking prudent precautions to protect these engines, Volvo Penta recommends the following preventative and corrective actions:
• Advise owners and operators of boats to avoid the areas of contaminated water if it can be done in a safe manner.
• If oil contaminated water is expected at the vessel’s slip, remove the vessel from the water until the contamination has been contained or rectified.
• If oil contaminated water contacts the vessel at the slip, do not start the engines, if possible. This will greatly reduce the amount of cleaning required to get the vessel back in service.
• If a vessel has been operated in oil contaminated water, the vessel should be removed from the water as soon as possible. Then, the engine and transmission should be serviced and cleaned according to the procedures below.
See the appropriate Workshop Manual for the procedures for removing and reinstalling parts.
As always, dispose of all parts and cleaning materials according to local environmental regulations.
If cleaning chemicals are used, choose products with the least impact on the environment.
Cleaning Procedure, Sterndrive and TSK
If oil contaminated water has contacted the sterndrive, IPS unit or other running gear, the gear must be cleaned to remove the oil. Clean the exterior of all sterndrive, transom assemblies,
IPS units or other running gear to remove the oil. On sterndrive units, remove the shift cover and clean the areas behind the cover.
Reminder: do not use high pressure washers on the soft parts of the drives; including bellows, hoses, seals, and trim pumps.
Clean all anodes exposed to oil. If the oil can not be removed, replace the anodes.
All cooling water intake passages must be free of oil. If oil is present, the parts must be removed and cleaned of all oil residue. If the oil can not be removed, replace the parts. Seawater pump impellers exposed to oil will swell in the pump, which will lead to impeller failure, which could cause pump or engine damage.
Cleaning Procedure, Engine
If oil contaminated water has entered the engines cooling system, the entire cooling system must be flushed or cleaned to remove the oil. Follow the procedures below.
If the seawater pump impeller has been exposed to oil it must be replaced. Also replace all sealing o-rings and gaskets. When replacing the impeller, check the inside of the pump and connected hoses for oil. All hoses and parts (coolers, seawater strainers) between the water intake and the pump must be checked for oil. This includes the cooling passages of the transom assembly and sterndrive. If oil is present the pump, parts, and hoses must be removed and cleaned of all oil residue.
If the oil can not be removed, replace the pump, parts, and hoses. Impellers exposed to oil will swell in the pump, which will lead to impeller failure, which could cause pump or engine damage.
On seawater cooled engines exposed to oil, replace the thermostat and thermostat gaskets and/or o-rings.
When replacing the thermostat, check the inside of the housing and connected hoses for oil. If oil is present, the pump and hoses must be removed and cleaned of all oil residue. If the oil can not be removed, replace the parts.
On freshwater cooled engines exposed to oil, remove outlet hoses from the exchanger and check for sufficient cooling water flow. Also check for evidence of oil in the exchanger or hoses. If oil is present, the exchanger and hoses must be removed and cleaned of all oil residue. If the oil can not be removed, replace the parts.
On gas EFI engines, inspect the fuel pump assembly to be sure cooling water is passing through the system.
Disconnect the outlet hose at the exhaust riser and check for a constant stream of water exiting the system.
If the stream is weak or absent, remove all hoses and the fuel pump, flush or clean until sufficient cooling water passes through the system.
Any cooling system anodes exposed to oil should be replaced. Anodes are located in the heat exchanger, oil coolers, and catalyst exhaust manifolds and elbows.
Check the operator’s manual or parts catalog to identify all of the anodes on an engine.
On gas engines with catalyst exhaust systems, the thermostats on the exhaust manifolds must be checked for oil. With the engine running, remove the blue drain plugs at the elbows and check the exiting water for oil. If oil is present, the thermostat, fittings, and hoses must be removed and cleaned of all oil residue. If the oil can not be removed, replace the parts.
Check all other cooling system parts not specifically noted above for the presence of oil (seawater side only). If oil is present the parts must be removed and cleaned of all oil residue. If the oil can not be removed, replace the parts.
Return to Service
The long term effect of the oil on cooling system parts such as hoses and gaskets is not known. After the oil spill has been resolved and the engine has been cleaned, advise your customers to be diligent in monitoring their engine for symptoms of cooling problems.
Watch for alarms, fault codes and gauge readings that are higher than before. Check the engine closely before each trip for leaks.
Again, dispose of all parts and cleaning materials according to local environmental regulations. If
cleaning chemicals are used, choose products with the least impact on the environment.
This Service Bulletin may be revised in the future as more knowledge is gained regarding this subject.
