A procurement manager ordered a set of fuel injection nozzles for a MAN B&W engine. Correct maker, correct part number, taken straight from the manual.
The parts arrived on time, looked right and even fitted the housing. Within 48 hours of installation the engine started misfiring.
The maker had revised the part two years earlier. Same part number, new internal geometry. The old revision was no longer compatible with the updated fuel pump fitted at the last overhaul.
This is more common than people think. Makers revise parts without changing the part number: they update the revision suffix, the drawing number or only the internal specification. If you order from an old manual or a cached parts list, you will not notice.
The fix is simple but takes discipline. Confirm the engine serial number and the current revision with the maker or a knowledgeable supplier before ordering, and do not assume last year's part number is still right.
One wrong revision cost this vessel three days off-hire and a second emergency delivery by air freight. If you are unsure whether your parts list is current, send it to us and we will cross-check it against the latest maker references.