Cylinder Head and Cylinder Liners Repair & Reconditioning
Cylinder heads operate under high thermal and mechanical loads throughout the engine's service life. In our experience, continuous operation gradually affects valve seats, valve guides, valves, and other critical components. As operating hours increase, wear becomes evident and combustion efficiency starts to deteriorate. Regular inspection of cylinder head and cylinder liners is therefore an important part of planned engine maintenance, whether the engine is installed onboard a vessel, in a power plant, or in an industrial installation.
Based on decades of practical field experience, RA Power Solutions repair and recondition cylinder head and cylinder liners to restore combustion efficiency, sealing performance, and engine reliability while maintaining OEM tolerances.
Inspection of Cylinder Head and Cylinder Liners
Whenever a cylinder head arrives at our workshop, we carry out a detailed inspection before recommending any repair. The objective is to determine whether the components can be restored within OEM limits or require replacement.
Whenever a cylinder head arrives at our workshop, we carry out a detailed inspection before recommending any repair. The objective is to determine whether the components can be restored within OEM limits or require replacement.
Our inspection typically includes:
Visual inspection of the complete cylinder head
Chemical cleaning to remove carbon deposits and contaminants
Shot blasting for surface preparation
Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) for crack detection
Inspection of valve seats, valves, and valve guides
Measurement of wear against OEM tolerances
Assessment of combustion chamber condition
When cylinder heads and cylinder liners are repaired and overhauled together, we also check component matching before re-assembly to ensure reliable engine operation.
Valve Seat, Valve Guide & Valve Reconditioning
In many engines, excessive wear is limited to the valve seating surfaces rather than the complete cylinder head. Where the wear remains within acceptable limits, we recommend restoring the seating surfaces instead of replacing major components
Our repair work includes:
Valve seat lapping
Valve lapping
Inspection of valve guide wear
Restoration of valve seating profile
Verification of valve sealing after machining
Using dedicated valve lapping equipment, we restore the valve seat geometry to the original profile specified by the engine manufacturer. If inspection shows excessive wear or damage to the valve seat or valve, replacement is recommended to maintain compression and combustion efficiency.
Cylinder Head Crack Repair by Metal Stitching & Metal Locking
Cylinder heads occasionally develop cracks due to thermal stress, cooling water leakage, or prolonged service under heavy load. In such cases, we first determine the extent of the damage through inspection and MPI testing.
Where repair is technically feasible, we recommend metal stitching and metal locking, a proven cold repair method that eliminates the need for welding.
The process offers several advantages:
No heat is introduced into the casting
No distortion of the cylinder head
Original alignment is maintained
Suitable for cast-iron cylinder heads
Reliable restoration of cracked components
This repair method is widely accepted for cast components because it preserves the original metallurgical properties of the casting and avoids the risks associated with heat-based repairs.
Reconditioned Cylinder Heads Available from Stock
To help reduce engine downtime, we maintain a stock of reconditioned cylinder heads for a wide range of marine and industrial diesel engines.
Each cylinder head undergoes the following:
Chemical cleaning
Shot blasting
MPI crack inspection
Valve seat inspection
Valve guide inspection
Reconditioning where required
Final dimensional inspection before dispatch
For operators facing urgent breakdowns, supplying a reconditioned cylinder head is often a practical alternative while repairs are being planned.
OEM Standards & Marine Industry Requirements
Whether repairs are carried out during scheduled overhaul, drydock, or an emergency engine breakdown, we always recommend restoring cylinder heads in accordance with the engine manufacturer's specifications.
Maintaining the correct dimensions and sealing surfaces is essential for reliable combustion, cooling efficiency, and the long-term service life of the cylinder head and cylinder liners.
Engine Makes Covered
We repair, recondition, and maintain a stock of cylinder heads and cylinder liners for a wide range of marine and industrial diesel engines, including:
Wärtsilä
Daihatsu
MWM
Caterpillar
MAN
MaK
MAN B&W
Sulzer
Bergen
Detroit Diesel
Stork Werkspoor
Pielstick
Deutz
Yanmar
MTU
Cummins
Nohab Polar
We also support numerous engine models, including:
MaK 551
MaK 552
MaK 453
MaK 451 AK
MaK 452 AK
MAK601C
Deutz 540
Deutz 358
Deutz 350
Pielstick PC 2.2
Pielstick PC 2.5
Wärtsilä 524
Wärtsilä 824 TS
Sulzer 6 AL 25/30
Sulzer 5 AL 25/30
MWM TBD 484
MAN 40/54
MAN Sulzer 12 ASV 25/30
Sulzer 16 ZV 40/48
Deutz BV 16M 540
B&W 6L45GFCA
MAN B&W 55/GF
CAT D353
B&W 5T23LH
Daihatsu 6 PST 26D
Daihatsu 6 PSHTb 26M
MaK 6MU451AK
Deutz 6M628
Caterpillar 3512
Deutz BV12M628
MWM TBD234
Wichmann 5AX
SKL 8NVD48A-2U
Pielstick PC2.2 LNR
Caterpillar 3508
And many other engine models.
Along with cylinder head and cylinder liner repair and reconditioning, we provide complete diesel engine maintenance solutions, including engine overhauling services, cylinder liner repair, crankshaft repair, and in situ crankshaft grinding for marine, power plant, and industrial engines. For cracked cast iron cylinder heads and engine components, we also undertake repairs using the proven metal stitching and metal locking process, eliminating the need for welding while maintaining the integrity of the original casting. Our integrated repair capabilities help reduce engine downtime and ensure that critical components are restored in accordance with OEM specifications and, where applicable, classification society requirements.