Bertram 38 on fire

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 2:57 pm

You guys seen this yet? Everybody with diesels know how to shut them down when they don't want to stop? [url="http://"]http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=373626[/url] [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/ ... 0_1967.jpg[/img] Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

Mikedcabo · Post by **Mikedcabo** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:43 am

Whoa-that's a shoking picture-the stuff of nightmares.They said in that forum he had just bought the boat 3 weeks prior and had Detroits.

Post by **Admin** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:44 am

Geez, I can't imagine how the confusion turns to panic in that situation. Even what little I can imagine is horrible and sickening. David Sumich 33 Megabites Huntington Harbour, CA Forum Administrator

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:48 am

I think that there must have been something else going on there, like maybe the fire damaged something that got the engine running out of control. I know that to stop my boat from running, with CAT 3208T's, you have to take off the cover for a fuel cut-off solenoid on the top of the engine, then press the plunger down by hand, stops the fuel flow. Choking the air off is another option I suppose but I don't think it's good for the engine. It is curious that he said the engine was stuck running at 1300 RPM. The throttles should still have worked, and the engine should idle as normal, unless I'm missing something. I also don't think it should have started a fire either. Engine should be able to run all day without urning up, stuck on or not. I really wonder if the guy didn't accidentally put gasoline into his tank. I've heard that will cause a diesel to both melt down and run out of control. It would also explain why the enigne was idling higher that usual. Ugly scenario any way you look at it. Was funny though, the guy who said "it can't be...diesel doesn't burn and Bertram's don't sink." Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:04 am

Sean, Old Detroits have a nasty habit of runnig away on their own oil/blow-by so every one of them comes with an emergency engine shut-down which consists of a spring loaded butterfly to completely stop the air supply. It's the only way you can stop an out of control diesel. Why it started on fire is a question but I can think of aa few different scenarios. Frank Price

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:33 pm

I know those old DD with run on crankcase oil until that's gone. At that point I bet the engine is ready to melt. On my Cats I can pull the CO2 tank. I can't imagine sitting on top of one of them when it's turning 3000 RPMs trying to remove the fuel shut-off. I think we all need to figure out a game plan with a couple of options. Charlie

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:05 pm

I agree Charlie, I'm going to try and see if there isn't an air shut-off kit available for the 3208, as a safety feature. If I have any luck I'll post info. Don't know what else could be done to prepare for the worst. Do you think your CO2 (fire extinguisher?) would stop the engine? I know the Halon systems (I've got one on my boat that is charged but isn't working right) are suppsoed to be installed with engine cut-offs because the diesels can suck out all the halon out and run it through the exhaust, and still keep running. I'd be worried they might do the same thing with your CO2 unless the concentration was near 100%, and I don't see how it could be. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 5:12 pm

Have a look at this I just found on Boatdeisel, from Tony Athens whom I've come to respect as somebody to listen to. He's talking about airsep CCV's causing Detroits to drink their own oil (this is learn-all-about-CCV-week for me): quote: Bob is right in that a CCV systems will not help your exhaust soot--------As he noted, that is a function of enough air to fuel and engine loading--Freeing up the engine load by de-pitching, being sure your entire air system is spotless (air cleaners and aftercoolers), turbo's are up to spec, and adequate ventilation will all affect soot...........Don't just assume your aftercoolers, air cleaners and turbo’s are perfect--Be SURE they are !!!!! The 375 CAT is a great engine but is very susceptible to making exhaust soot if everything is not perfect on the air and loading side. As for the Racor CCV vs. the WalkerAirSep-------I personally have no use for the Walker unit as we have seen many engines (both Detroits and modern 4-strokes) over the years "fail" as a direct result of failures of the drain back valve hanging open and allowing the engine to literally suck oil from the crankcase-For an older Detroit, they can be a Godsend, but need continuous vigilance as to being sure all is right...............We use the Racor CCV when a closed system is needed.. On a Cummins "B", a Walker Airsep can be particularly troublesome because of the vent "loop" that is between the crankcase vent and the input to the Airsep... On some engines , Cummins "couch engineers" even routed the oil drain back to "below" the pan level creating another potential disaster in the making................... Tony Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:35 am

As far as reducing smoke out the exhaust, the c.c.v system does in fact reduce it. Smoke caused by engine blowby, and from loading up while trolling all day. From when I installed them on my boat and when I did not have them, its like night and day. I used to get black smoke when I would ramp up and the smell. Now I get very little smoke and almost no smell. Mike Mike Lawrence 81 sportfish 33' shot'n'beer

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:31 am

Mike, Would still like to see a picture of your installation if you can Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com