Service Programme
CYLINDER LINER WEAR MEASUREMENT
Ensure cylinder integrity and prevent costly failures with non-intrusive wear analysis.
Proactive insights into liner condition
Two-stroke marine engines operate under extreme conditions, especially with today’s fuel variations, slow steaming strategies, and increasing regulatory demands. These factors all increase the risk of accelerated cylinder liner wear.
To mitigate these risks, regular condition monitoring is essential. That’s where our Cylinder Liner Wear Measurement (VAK) service becomes a vital tool. Using a fast, non-intrusive method, HJ Lubricators enables shipowners and operators to detect wear trends early, before they lead to serious engine damage or unexpected downtime.
What is a cylinder liner wear rate?
Cylinder liner wear rate describes the amount of material lost from the liner surface over a specific engine running time. It is typically expressed as millimetres per 1,000 running hours (mm/1,000h).
How to calculate cylinder liner wear rate?
To calculate the wear rate of a cylinder liner, you need to measure the liner diameter at regular intervals. The basic formula is:
Wear rate = (Initial diameter – Current diameter) / Running hours × 1,000
Example:
Initial diameter: 600.00 mm
Current diameter: 600.20 mm
Running hours: 4,000 h
→ Wear = 0.20 mm
→ Wear rate = 0.20 / 4,000 × 1,000 = 0.05 mm/1,000 h
This is generally within acceptable limits for most marine engines.
What is an acceptable wear rate for cylinder liners?
Most engine makers define an acceptable wear rate between 0.05–0.1 mm per 1,000 hours, depending on:
- Engine model
- Fuel type
- Lubrication strategy
- Operating load (e.g. slow steaming)
Exceeding these rates can lead to excessive piston ring wear, loss of compression, and increased oil consumption.
When to measure liner wear?
Understanding when to act is just as important as how. Our customers typically request VAK measurements in these scenarios:
- Suspicion of abnormal cylinder wear
- Periodicalslowsteaming
- Retrofitting for green fuels
- Changing bunker supplier
- Inspection prior to drydock
- Monitoring wear during the new engine run-in
These are all situations where unmonitored wear can evolve into severe scuffing and irreversible damage—making early detection critical.
Why choose VAK?
Unlike traditional methods that require removal of cylinder covers or exhaust valves, VAK allows for fast and safe measurements directly through the scavenge ports. Using a high-precision Cylinder Gauge Insertable and Depth Gauge, our engineers can assess wear with minimal disruption to engine operations.
You’ll receive a detailed report within hours, highlighting wear depth, type, and position, alongside concrete recommendations for action.
Reliable onboard wear measurement
Service deliverables and reporting
When choosing HJ Lubricators as your service partner, you gain access to more than a measurement:
- On-site inspection by trained specialists
- Full liner report with digital graphs and analysis
- Optional 3D imagery using our Ninja DS camera
- Tailored recommendations for future maintenance
- Fast reporting turnaround and technical support
Want more information on Cylinder Liner Wear Measurement (VAK)?
A full measurement of one cylinder typically takes 90 minutes and can be performed while the engine is still warm (up to 80°C). Our system delivers high-resolution data with a precision of ±1/100 mm, covering liners with diameters from 500 mm to 980 mm.
Using laser alignment and internal positioning tools, our engineer measures wear across multiple liner zones, capturing a full picture of the cylinder’s condition. If required, 3D camera imagery supports the measurement, offering visual documentation to support the data.
Why partner with HJ Lubricators?
With over a century of experience and a global service network, HJ Lubricators delivers trusted expertise in engine condition monitoring and lubrication optimisation.
We are more than a service provider — we’re an advisor. Our engineers and service hubs in Denmark, Singapore and China are ready to support you with technology that is used and recommended by leading engine makers.
We understand your engine. And we help you make it last longer.
Get reliable onboard cylinder liner wear rate data – fast
Our non-intrusive VAK service gives you precise wear measurements with visual documentation and trend analysis.