MeridexionMAN B&W two-stroke engines are everywhere, which is good news for spares and bad news for part numbers. The same engine shows up under MC, ME and MC-C designations, and what you need depends on which one you actually have bolted to the bedplate.
In practice, the number on the part is rarely the number we end up quoting.
The series and what changes between them
As a quick reference:
| Series | Distinguishing feature | Parts implication |
|---|---|---|
| MC / MC-C | Camshaft-driven exhaust valve and fuel injection | Camshaft, roller guides and fuel pump parts are wear items |
| ME / ME-B | Electronically controlled exhaust valve and injection | Hydraulic power supply units, control valves, position sensors |
| ME-GI / dual fuel | Gas injection in addition to fuel | Gas valves, sealing and safety components with specific certification |
Between MC and ME, the cylinder unit and running gear are broadly similar; the injection and exhaust actuation are not. Ordering an MC fuel pump part against an ME engine is a common and expensive mistake.
Components that account for most enquiries
- Cylinder unit — liner, piston crown, rings, cover, exhaust valve. See cylinder and piston parts.
- Fuel injection — pumps, injectors, nozzles, high-pressure piping. See fuel injection parts.
- Running gear — crosshead bearings, connecting rod bearings, main bearings. See bearings and crankshaft parts.
- Turbocharging — usually a separate maker (ABB, MAN Turbo, Mitsubishi), matched to the engine type. See turbocharger parts.
How identification actually works
Three data points drive a correct match: engine type (for example 6S50MC-C), engine serial number, and the part number with its source document. The serial number narrows the build standard, because the same type number was produced over many years with revisions to liners, covers and injection equipment.
Where the manual is lost, the nameplate photograph and the measured worn part usually suffice — the cylinder cover and liner carry casting numbers that identify the design generation.
Lead time reality
What to expect
- Gaskets, seals, filters: days.
- Piston rings, valve spindles, nozzles: 2-4 weeks.
- Piston crowns, cylinder covers: 6-12 weeks.
- Liners, crankshafts, bedplate parts: 12-20 weeks or longer.
For a docking, the second and third categories set the timetable. Ordering them at the same time as the small consumables costs nothing and avoids a split shipment later — see sourcing obsolete and long-lead parts.
What to specify
- Engine type and serial number
- Part number, position and cylinder number where applicable
- Genuine, OEM-equivalent or reconditioned
- Certificate requirement, including class society
- Required on-board date, not only order date
Send the list as one enquiry; see the RFQ checklist for the fields that make a quotation possible in one pass.
Questions from the engine room
Are MAN B&W spare parts available as OEM-equivalents?
For most wear parts and consumables, yes — liners, rings, bearings, gaskets and filter elements are produced by alternative manufacturers to the original specification. Electronically controlled ME-series components are more often supplied genuine, because the control and certification requirements are stricter.
How do I identify my MAN B&W engine type?
The engine nameplate carries the type designation (for example 6S50MC-C) and serial number. The type gives bore and stroke; the serial number fixes the production standard and revision level.
Why is the turbocharger quoted separately?
Because it is usually made by a different manufacturer — ABB, MAN Turbo or Mitsubishi — and has its own type and serial number. The engine model alone doesn’t identify the turbocharger.
Need this part
Send the engine make, model and part number – or just a photo and a description. We will confirm availability and come back with options and lead time.