Fine cracks in one bank of V12 cylinder head

[forensiclab]

We have fine cracks occurring in one bank only of a V12 cylinder head. Engine has run 7640hr. After engine failed to start, water was detected in every cylinder of one bank, causing a lock. Subsequent investigation revealed fine cracks in that bank. Cylinder sleeves exhibit equal wear, bank to bank.

We are puzzled because the engine is symetrical, both banks have the same history, no problems with either bank before incident, but one bank develops cracks and one doesn't. Any suggestions.

 

[patprimmer]

Several suggestions

One casting was weaker

One head gets cavitation in the water jacket occasionaly

One bank got a blockage or water flow stagnation in the head only

Regards
pat

 

[franzh]

Forensic:
Is this a repeated problem or the first time?
If this is a subseqent problem, you obviously need to isolate what is happening that is unique to that head. What fuel is this engine? I have heard of gaseous fuel V-series engine that are fed from two independent fuel systems, where one of them developed a rich fault causing a piston damaging situation on the rich bank.
Franz

 

[GregLocock]

Unless you have a very spiffy cooling system then one head will probably get hotter coolant than the other.

What material is the head? What size engine is this? 7000 hours is a long time for an automotive engine. Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[p4]

i had a problem like that.A elecrtic water pump, controlled by an Ecu ( switched on every 4min for 1 min, after engine switched off) cleared the problem. if it is a raceengine try to preheat. You get waterpumps very cheap( VW VR6)
best regards