How Do You Stop Your Cummins QSK60 Generator Set from Blowing Blue Smoke?

Cummins QSK60 is a V 16 cylinder engine with a 60 litre displacement. Its rated power is 1985KW. Cummins QSK60 generator sets can provide optimum performance, reliability, and versatility. They are mainly used in mining, power and shipping and other fields. What if QSK60 engine emits a lot of blue smoke from the exhaust pipe? Read on and learn how to troubleshoot the problem.

Generally, blue smoke from diesel generator indicates that engine oil gets into the combustion chamber and the oil is burnt in the cylinders. It is normal for a small amount of engine oil to participate in combustion. Cummins QSK60 engine incorporates Centinel oil management system, which allows a small amount of oil to be burned. However, if a lot of blue smoke is coming out of the engine exhaust continuously, it is usually an indicator that there is something wrong with the engine. You can take the following measures to identify and fix the problem.

Check oil level

When the oil level of the oil pan is too high, the oil will splash into the inside walls of the cylinders with the high-speed crankshaft, and enter the combustion chamber with the reciprocating piston.

If the blue smoke is simply caused by too high oil level, the engine power will increase because the burning oil in the combustion chambers create more heat and it will not be controlled by fuel control system, causing the engine idle speed to increase.

The correct oil level for the QSK60 engine should be between the H mark and the L mark on the dipstick. You can stop the engine and wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the oil in the upper parts of the engine to fully return. Check the oil dipstick. If the oil level is higher than H, excess oil needs to be discharged. Meanwhile, check the oil condition in the oil storage tank of the Centinel Oil Management System. If the oil level in the engine is high and the oil level in the oil refill tank is relatively low, it indicates that there is a problem with the oil return of the automatic oil refill system and the problem should be fixed.

Check value guides

Worn valve guides or seals or too large clearance between valve guide and valve rod can cause the engine to suck oil down the valve guide into the cylinder. When the oil combusts in the cylinder, the blue smoke will appear.

Thus, open the rocker cover, check the oil seal on the upper end of the valve guide and the clearance between the value guide and the valve rod. Replace any worn or failed parts.

Check cylinders and piston rings

Worn piston rings, cracked piston rings, piston scraping, and too large wear clearance between piston and cylinder can make the piston rings and cylinders seal loosely, leading to problems such as a lot of oil being sucked into the cylinders and burned in the cylinders, reduced engine power, high abandonment pressure on crankcase and carbon deposits or oil stains on fuel injector.

You should check the air pressure of each cylinder, and perform a pressure test on each cylinder to check whether the air pressure holding time is enough.

If the engine has just been overhauled, the piston ring is more likely to be opposite or inverted. Each piston of Cummins QSK60 engine is equipped with 3 piston rings, which are the top ring, the middle ring and the oil ring. When assembling, the openings should be staggered at a certain Angle to avoid being in the same straight line. It is recommended to stagger each other by 120 degree.

The piston rings are marked with a part number. Ensure that the part numbers must face towards the top of the piston when installed.

Check the inner walls of the cylinders for vertical scratches or polishing by turning the piston to the top stop. If there are scratches or more than 20% of the piston ring travel area is polished, the cylinders must be replaced. If piston rings are broken or serious damaged, metal debris will be found in the oil pan generally.

Check the turbocharger

Damaged turbocharger can also cause blue smoke from the engine exhaust. Turbocharger is composed of compressor and turbine. Compressor rotor oil seal failure will cause oil to get into the inlet to participate in combustion. When the turbine is damaged and the oil leaks, the oil will be vaporized by the high-temperature exhaust gas and the blue smoke is emitted from the exhaust pipe. If the turbocharger leaks oil, open the intake pipe and you can find it.

Dingbo Power is a professional diesel generator manufacturer with 18 year’s production experience. Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or inquiries to learn more about the products & services we provide.