Looking for any experience out there where the grease being used is Kluberplex BEM 41-132. This is supposed to be an excellent high temp, high load grease. We are currently inspecting a generator where bearing temperatures have been increasing steadily over the past several years. Suspicions are that the grease is hardening and not allowing new grease from the autolubers to enter the bearing. Any information is welcome.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Hi Ron,
Interesting point can you share some data of the generator gearbox? also is you auto lubricators depleting at the same rate or different from before? it could be the case its filling the void between have you considered the option for videoscope inspection possibilities? does the bearing have purge points on the bottom of the bearing?
Cheers,
Sean
Awaiting reply from end user. Even if the generator bearings have purge ports, it’s been my experience that they don’t work. The grease will go inside the generator before it leaves by the port.
Hi Ron,
There should be a bearing cover and seal, I believe there should be OEM greasing intervals? do you have any drawings or pictures or layout to assist?
Cheers,
Sean
The only info I have so far is a picture with three years worth of grease coming out of a generator that has been in service for 10 months…
Hi Ron,
Ouch, that's not great here's a few thoughts I have just based on what I would be thinking they may be useful or not.
- What is the grease intervals?
- Is the Autoluber set correctly?
- Has it always been Autolubers or a combination?
- Is grease coming out the shaft side also DE?
- Perhaps the seal is damaged on the motor cover usually the lip seal type upon assembly?
- Could the seals be the installed the wrong way around?
- could the chamber be over pressurised?
- could there have been an issue on assembly in factory?
Just a few thoughts its sounds like it could be an installation issue if it has only been in 10 months has this been recently serviced overhauled? as you well know it should do that could you get a video scope into the stator area to see the grease inside or a port it would need to be isolated and switched off to be done safely.
Cheers,
Sean