QUESTION 18 PAGE 4

With reference to diesel engine maintenance:

(a) Describe the various means that are available to check the condition of a diesel
engine as a guide to when maintenance is actually needed (8)
(b) Compare the methods described in part (a) with the use of planned maintenance
schemes (8)

• Various readings taken from running engine, such as pressures and temperatures.
These are easily obtained, and can be used to indicate changes in operating
conditions when compared to previous stable readings. The readings need to be
taken over an extended period of time to avoid rouge readings producing incorrect
analysis. Engine builders software programmes are available that can analysis
such data to indicate the condition of the engine.
• Indicator cards. These can provide useful information about the various pressures
of combustion, such as compression pressures (which indicate if a leaking
cylinder head valve is present), combustion pressures (to avoid over loading the
engine) and late fuel timing (which would increase burning of the exhaust valves).
• Previous maintenance measurements. These will give an estimate of when
maintenance is required, by applying anticipated wear rate levels to the wear
already experienced.

Planned maintenance is based on the idea that wear and fouling will take place at a
constant or uniform level, and as such regular time based maintenance will correctly
ensure the engine operation at all times. However PM based maintenance does not
account for changes in environmental or operating conditions. Hence the engine could
be overhauled too early or too late using running hours alone.
Also measuring engine parameters is only partly successful in determining engine
condition. They often can not monitor slight changes in engine operation, such as fall
off in injector performance, even though this can lead to increased fouling etc. Thus
condition monitoring should predict major changes, but regular cleaning of T/C and
piston rings still require PM schemes that are usually based on time and/or hours.