Engine Synchronizer

[KBC]

Will do! Thanks Frank!

 

[Tantalus]

David,

I'll try. First, I am assuming you have either 3116's or 3126's since your don't say.

On the aft end of the engines as they are mounted in the boat, look at the crankshaft harmonic balencer which is on the end of the crankshaft. in the center of it there is a thing held in place by a metal bracket that is bolted in place on either side of the crankshafe. The bracket is there to hold the synchronizer sender. ANother way to find it is to follow the cable from the synchronizer control box mounted above the engine....one cable runs to the injector pump control and the other runs down to the crankshaft. THere is a 3rd but it runs forward to the synchronizer itself on the main bulkhead.

The cable running to the crankfhaft goes to a little mechanical thing that has a small square shaft going forward into a mating hole on the crankshaft damper. The parts in the little square mechanical thing will strip if the alignment to the engine is not correct....the mounting plate is slotted to allow for adjustment.

That is where it is and what it does, but if you are not inclined to tear it apart and fix it, this may be something best left to the Caterpillar or Sea Ray techs. The little mechanical box is not too expensive, but if it is not properly aligned, then you are only going to strip another one. Additionally, erratic results could also be caused by something wrong in the synchronizer control box. Glendennings are mechanical and are usually bullet proof, but if you get it apart, you are done until it is repaired because both dash throttle controls go to the synchronizer and then to the engines.

Sorry I'm not any more help than this........but you are right, sometimes it is difficult to put in words what one sentence and a pointed finger would do.

David,

Thanks for the compliment........

I'm sometimes afraid to go into too much detail for fear that someone will get in way over their heads, but you seem sensible and understand that there may be a Cat guy visit in your future. So here are some other thoughts.

You can take the synchronizer off the engine by removing the mounting bracket ....do not try to remove the sender from the bracket. You cannot get the nut and washer off with it in place. Be careful pulling it away from the engine since the little shaft may fall out. Once it is removed, grasp the square ended shaft and try to rotate it. You should feel some slight reisitance as the gears turn, but it should be smooth. If it crunches, you feel roughness or no resistance at all, you found the problem. When you reassemble it, but sure the little shaft is seated all the way in the sensor head then lubricate the shaft wilt a little anticorrosion grease and insert it in the receiver on the end of the crankshaft. It should slide in easily and be adjusted so that the shaft is perpendicular to the crankshaft.

Now, if I have scared you into not trying this alone, anytime you have to get a Caterpillar technician to the boat for anything, try to make the trip worthwhile since you are paying for him from the time he leaves his shop to the time he returns. On a 2000 year model, you are probably approaching 500 hours of running time. If you have not yet had it done, your engines are about ready for the 500 hour service by Cat. This is an important one since they adjust the valves, and reset the mechanical injectors and rack. It takes special equipment and knowledge to do so a Sea Ray dealer or regular repair shop cannot do it. This is a critical service since the valves tighten as an engine wear in. THis means they open further than required and sooner or later valves may hit a piston.....which is not a good thing. In your location you may not have a problem yet , but at about 5 years, it is also a good idea to have the heat exchangers and transmission oil coolers cleaned as well.

Resetting the engine overhead will take about a day and cleaning the heat exchangers about 6 hours if they cannot be disassembled without removing them from the boat. I'm lucky, there is enough space between my engines that it was only about a 3 hour job since the cores can be removed in place. Figure about $100/hour plus travel expenses and parts.

One final tip......when you call your Caterpillar dealer to set up the service work, be prepared to give him both the engines' serial numbers and arrangement numbers....the AR number tells the dealer what configuration your engines are and lets him go to specific parts lists. Then tell him you expect him to find that the synchronizer sender on the crankshaft is bad. That way it may save him a trip and you some time since he will probably bring a replacement out with him.

Hi Frank, quick question, where can I source the little shaft that goes between the crank shaft and the HB. Just seen today we have broken one in half. Possibly out of balance and age. Need to have one sent down under to New Zealand.
Thank you, Paul

 

[fwebster]

The only source is Glendenning. I am not where I can look up their phone or email info, but Google is your friend. If you call, you will probably get John Glendenning on the phone.

Also there has been a design change on the cable at the engine end, so be sure you remove one of yours before you call so you can describe which one you have. Mine is a 1996 450DA and it required the older design.

BTW, I think I may know your boat.....did you recently purchase it?

 

[Tantalus]

Hi Frank, thank you for that, will be in touch with them and get something underway.

I am sure you certainly do know the boat, Saramee. You have had plenty of communication with Steve (Barlow) over the years whom we purchased off and as well as her previous owner who I see posts regularly. She as good as the day she arrived in the country and Steve has kept her and maintained her to the book. Sitting now at 2300 hours.

All credit to you Steve, I am am sure your watching

She is now at the other end of the country in the Bay of Islands. Trucked up during the weekend and in the water yesterday. Looking forward to a lovely summer ahead. Will certainly get some pictures up.

Thanks again Frank, I am sure won’t be the last time I am in touch. You do an amazing job.

Paul