When rolling over a main engine on your vessel prior to starting with the cylinder test valves open to expel any fluids accumulated within the cylinders, a rather large amount of water is discharged. What is the appropriate response?
• Water accumulation in engine cylinders and the risk of hydraulic lock • Normal vs. abnormal discharge when using cylinder test valves before starting • Correct safety procedure when you observe unusual conditions prior to engine start
• If you see a large amount of water coming out of the cylinders, what kinds of damage could occur if you go ahead and start the engine? • Is it ever considered safe practice to ‘start and monitor’ when you have an unknown but clearly abnormal condition inside the cylinders? • What systems or components could be letting water into the cylinders, and does that suggest a minor issue or something that must be investigated first?
• Decide whether a ‘large amount’ of water is a normal or abnormal finding when rolling over with test valves open • Consider whether any of the options actually corrects the cause of the water ingress, or only tries to operate despite it • Ask: Would this choice align with standard marine diesel engine safety practice about internal water leaks and preventing catastrophic damage?
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