Caterpillar C8.7 temperature query
Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 4:07 am
We are running four "identical" Caterpillar C8.7 engines in a 23m endurance power boat - see www.54knots.com. The engines feed ZF two-speed gearboxes, and their output is via four France Helice surface drives.
For some reason, our port outer engine runs warmer than the other three - the attached photo shows the issue at 43 Knots. We have cleaned all the raw water systems and renewed all the raw water pipework, seacocks, and strainers are clear. The vessel is highly maintained. I have been advised that engines run differently; the thermostat has only been changed on this engine. The engines are on the Caterpillar extended warranty program.
The temperature rise is progressive and stops at 94c, and ironically the port outer engine warms up more slowly than the other three. In a recent passage from Sines in Portugal to Gibraltar, we dropped into a few troughs at around 36 - 38 knots, and the temperature appeared to drop suddenly to the same range as the other three engines before gradually rising again. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome, as we are a few weeks away from doing around 4000nm on some UIM endurance events in the Mediterranean.
Thanks for any help, and you can see us if you are in or around Monaco from 6/7th June,
Nick
For some reason, our port outer engine runs warmer than the other three - the attached photo shows the issue at 43 Knots. We have cleaned all the raw water systems and renewed all the raw water pipework, seacocks, and strainers are clear. The vessel is highly maintained. I have been advised that engines run differently; the thermostat has only been changed on this engine. The engines are on the Caterpillar extended warranty program.
The temperature rise is progressive and stops at 94c, and ironically the port outer engine warms up more slowly than the other three. In a recent passage from Sines in Portugal to Gibraltar, we dropped into a few troughs at around 36 - 38 knots, and the temperature appeared to drop suddenly to the same range as the other three engines before gradually rising again. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome, as we are a few weeks away from doing around 4000nm on some UIM endurance events in the Mediterranean.
Thanks for any help, and you can see us if you are in or around Monaco from 6/7th June,
Nick