The chickens have come home to roost....
Posted: Jun 24th, '09, 17:43
So to speak.
We've had the discussion of the new electronic diesel engines and the potential problems that can occur.
While I haven't seen too many issues, I have seen failures in all 3 major makers Cummins, Volvo and Yanmar. Some under warrantee, some not.
What I haven't seen until now is the result of lightning strikes on these systems and the corresponding handling by the insurance companies and owners involving high deductables and the stress of high dollar components.
Last week got a call from an owner of a 38' Luhrs that just pulled into Sailfish marina on his way to the Bahamas. !0 minutes after pulling in a storm rolls thru and his boat gets hit.
Apparently hit the stb rigger, ran down to the base and being the rigger wasn't bonded or grounded made a hole thru the fiberglass and jumped to the bonding buss bar and out thru the boat.
One light on the flybridge overhead was completly blown off and melted.
Engines are the Yanmar 6LY3-STE, all computer, non common rail.
First words out of my mouth was to replace everything but harnasses as they looked okay.
Most of these components can't be individualy checked and since they work in common areas, one bad part can take out others.
No go do to expense.
I was told to replace the "I" boxes(engine data to display and can buss system interface) only. I refused saying that by not at least replacing the engine ECM'S also that the risk of damaging a new "I" box from a bad ECM was too risky and that if either the insurance company or owner would sign a release waiver to do so I would go ahead and comply.
When asked why I needed the waiver I stated that when the music stops I was not going to be left without a chair. In other words I wasn't paying for another round of "I" boxes.
Since no one would sign one, they complied and despite agian insisting to just replace everything to save time and expense told me to do just the two items.
Well I did 3(switch pad on/ff start switches as one switch wouldn't click anymore) and at least got the engines to start and idle.
Was able to increase engine rpm slightly by using the sub throttle pots and discovered the stb ran real rough(more on that later). The main controls didn't work.
Replace them but they weren't available anymore so I had to retro fit the newest can buss system only controls. Ordered and did so.
Got some control light flickers but still had no shift/throttle control and the nema light on the "I" boxes was unlit indicated an com buss failure.
After much looking and diagnosing it seems both the 4" LCD engine displays are bad even thought they power up. Must be a short in the com buss system inside as removing them and hooking the controls to the com buss system only, I was able to bring the new controls online and shift and throttle up.
New displays are on order and until they are installed tomarrow I can't diagnose the stb engine missing. It most likely will be a timing sensor or something like that.
Now at this point most everything I wanted to replace is replaced as I first requested. Its gonna cost more money in labor and overnight shipping costs which nobody but me seemed to get.
All along I've been trying to tell them lightning bad juju. Even showed them the video sent to me of the Indian(push start) standing on top of a train and then grabbing the overhead wires, the big pop twice and then falling down and self combusting as proof stray electrical currents are bad juju.
Final costs could reach 10 to 12K as this stuff is expensive.
Anyone who has these electronic diesels make sure you have proper insurance coverage, consider all extended factory warrantees and if problems like lightning strikes occur make sure you insist that all components be replaced.
Insurance companies will try and save money by piece mealing it. Don't let them.
We've had the discussion of the new electronic diesel engines and the potential problems that can occur.
While I haven't seen too many issues, I have seen failures in all 3 major makers Cummins, Volvo and Yanmar. Some under warrantee, some not.
What I haven't seen until now is the result of lightning strikes on these systems and the corresponding handling by the insurance companies and owners involving high deductables and the stress of high dollar components.
Last week got a call from an owner of a 38' Luhrs that just pulled into Sailfish marina on his way to the Bahamas. !0 minutes after pulling in a storm rolls thru and his boat gets hit.
Apparently hit the stb rigger, ran down to the base and being the rigger wasn't bonded or grounded made a hole thru the fiberglass and jumped to the bonding buss bar and out thru the boat.
One light on the flybridge overhead was completly blown off and melted.
Engines are the Yanmar 6LY3-STE, all computer, non common rail.
First words out of my mouth was to replace everything but harnasses as they looked okay.
Most of these components can't be individualy checked and since they work in common areas, one bad part can take out others.
No go do to expense.
I was told to replace the "I" boxes(engine data to display and can buss system interface) only. I refused saying that by not at least replacing the engine ECM'S also that the risk of damaging a new "I" box from a bad ECM was too risky and that if either the insurance company or owner would sign a release waiver to do so I would go ahead and comply.
When asked why I needed the waiver I stated that when the music stops I was not going to be left without a chair. In other words I wasn't paying for another round of "I" boxes.
Since no one would sign one, they complied and despite agian insisting to just replace everything to save time and expense told me to do just the two items.
Well I did 3(switch pad on/ff start switches as one switch wouldn't click anymore) and at least got the engines to start and idle.
Was able to increase engine rpm slightly by using the sub throttle pots and discovered the stb ran real rough(more on that later). The main controls didn't work.
Replace them but they weren't available anymore so I had to retro fit the newest can buss system only controls. Ordered and did so.
Got some control light flickers but still had no shift/throttle control and the nema light on the "I" boxes was unlit indicated an com buss failure.
After much looking and diagnosing it seems both the 4" LCD engine displays are bad even thought they power up. Must be a short in the com buss system inside as removing them and hooking the controls to the com buss system only, I was able to bring the new controls online and shift and throttle up.
New displays are on order and until they are installed tomarrow I can't diagnose the stb engine missing. It most likely will be a timing sensor or something like that.
Now at this point most everything I wanted to replace is replaced as I first requested. Its gonna cost more money in labor and overnight shipping costs which nobody but me seemed to get.
All along I've been trying to tell them lightning bad juju. Even showed them the video sent to me of the Indian(push start) standing on top of a train and then grabbing the overhead wires, the big pop twice and then falling down and self combusting as proof stray electrical currents are bad juju.
Final costs could reach 10 to 12K as this stuff is expensive.
Anyone who has these electronic diesels make sure you have proper insurance coverage, consider all extended factory warrantees and if problems like lightning strikes occur make sure you insist that all components be replaced.
Insurance companies will try and save money by piece mealing it. Don't let them.