Engine Indicator Diagrams

Indicator diagrams indicates, simultaneously , the pressures and the relative position of the piston for a
particular engine cylinder. They are taken for every voyage, both in loaded and ballast condition. It is a
practice to take indicator cards after every major overhauls.

Purpose

 To calculate indicated power of the engine

 To determine peak pressures and compression pressures
 To evaluate the process of combustion inside the engine
 To evaluate scavenging and exhausting conditions
Procedure

 Check whether the spring fitted on the indicated instrument will meet the peak pressure
(maximum combustion pressure) to be expected
 Stretch diagram paper firmly over the drum.
 Before taking diagram, open indicator cock, allow two or three firing strokes, to blow out
soot and combustion residues in the cock.
 After drawing atmospheric pressure line, hook the cord to indicator drive, open indicator
cock, take power card and shut off the cock.
 Make sure that the instrument is not exposed to high temperature for long time. This
may affect its accuracy.
 Remove the hook, turn the drum by hand to a place clear from the power diagram, take
compression pressure line with the fuel cut off.
 After taking indicator cards from all the cylinders, open the instrument and clean all the
parts, and lubricate the same.

Irregularities in Indicator Diagram

May 3, 2014 11:01 am | Leave a Comment | Firoz

Irregularities in the shape of indicator diagrams are indications of faulty engine operations. If irregularity
seems for all units, problem may be common like faults in fuel oil system, intake air, turbocharger, air cooler,
exhaust, etc. When the irregularity is confined to a single unit, problem could be of fuel injectors, fuel pump,
exhaust valve, etc.

Early Ignition
Indications and Effects

 Abnormally high peak pressure of the unit is recorded at the top of the piston stroke.
 Knocking sound comes out of the engine due to heavy loads passed to bearings via
running gear.
 Early ignition causes increased thermal efficiency of the engine. Also exhaust
temperature reduces since combustion starts long before it is supposed to. But the
shock loads and vibrations results in damage of the engine.
Causes

 Incorrectly adjusted or accidentally changed fuel pump timing

 Damaged or incorrectly set fuel valve or fuel injector
 Undesired fuel quality
 Parts inside the cylinder are overheated.
Late Ignition
Indication and Effects

 A rise in expansions line is recorded in the later part of piston stroke

 Since burning of fuel continues, exhaust gas temperature and pressure increases,
causing black smoke at engine exhaust.
 Unburnt carbon deposits fouls exhaust system, cause damage to exhaust valve and
seat, turbocharger surges and there are chances of uptake fires in exhaust gas
economizer.
 Elevated temperatures inside cylinders cause breaking up of lubrication and increased
wear of liners, piston rings, burning of piston crown, etc.
Causes

 Slow fuel combustion

 Quality of fuel is less
 Low temperature of fuel (Means high viscosity)
Leaky Fuel Injector
Indications and Effects

 Reduced power in the affected unit, high exhaust temperature and presence of black
smoke in exhaust.
 Possible knocking sounds or pressure waves in fuel injection system.
 Sudden up and downs in indicated diagram in the fuel injection and expansion side.
 After burning due to incomplete combustion of fuel.
Causes

 Leaking fuel injector.

 Chocking of fuel injector spray holes, which leads to improper atomization and dripping
of fuel.
Partly Choked Fuel Valve
Indications and Effects

 Low exhaust gas temperature of the unit

 Power card and draw card indications
 Loss of engine power
Causes

 Fuel oil contamination and improper purification

 Carbon formation at injector tip
 Carbon deposits on fuel valve due to over heating
Low Compression
Indications and Effects

 Low pressure in the indicator card

 Reduced power of engine
Causes

 Improper combustion
 Insufficient air for combustion
 Leakage of air in between piston rings and liner while compression stroke due to worn
out liner or piston rings.
Exhaust Valve Opening
Light spring diagram gives indications on faulty exhaust valve and intake port operations.

Early Opening

 Elevated exhaust gas temperature and fouling of exhaust system

 Loss of engine power
Late Opening

 Reduced blow down effect and hence reduced scavenging efficiency

 Low quality of exhaust gas delivered to the turbocharger inversely affect its operation
Choked Exhaust
Indications and Effects

 Power loss in the unit

 Increased exhaust temperature
 Turbocharger surging
 adversely affect scavenging efficiency
Causes

 Improper combustion
 Increased cylinder lube oil