For economy and efficient

running of an engine equal power

should be produced from each
cylinder. This is then said to be
'power balanced' and it may be
necessary to make some minor
adjustments to achieve this.



Power produced is related to the quantity of
fuel injected and balancing is carried out by
small adjustments to individual fuel pump
controls. Adjustments are limited to ensure
units are not overloaded, exhaust
temperatures are not excessive, and that
pump controls still cut off when brought to
stop. Fuel pump rack positions and exhaust
and cooling return temperatures from each
cylinder should be noted.

Equal exhaust temperatures on their own do
not necessarily show an accurate balance,
however, tend to give some indication of
balance when they follow a pattern similar to
that recorded at test bed trials.
Power balancing can be checked by
measurement from indicator diagrams by
calculation. the area or mean height from each
cylinder.



For medium and high speed engines it may be
impractical to use a normal engine Indicator due
to the high velocities of parts causing vibrations
in springs or drive mechanisms. If other means
are not available, power in the engine may be
related to peak or maximum pressure in the
cylinder. Some manufacturers recommend that
the 'ignition jump' (the difference between peak
pressure and maximum compression pressure
for each cylinder) may be used to check power
balance.


A number of assumptions have to be made
regarding the operating efficiency of the
engine. In order that these can be justified,
it is particularly important that regular and
correct maintenance is carried out on the
engine and that any deviation from normal
running is noted, investigated and corrected
at the earliest opportunity.

Fuel injection equipment. is particularly
important and fuel pump settings, clearances and
timings must be checked and maintained during
periods when the engine is out of service. Fuel
injectors must be changed regularly. cleaned and
tested to ensure trouble-free operation. The
injector is the most likely part of the system to be
subject to faults in service. A fault in one injector
will cause loss in power in the affected cylinder,
but may also mean that other cylinders are
subjected to overloading as the engine governor
attempts to maintain normal total power or speed.


If an engine operates in an unbalanced
condition, some bearings and running gear
may become overloaded; this may cause
overheating and bearing failure. Overload
in cylinders may cause piston blow past,
with the corresponding dangers of
overheated or seized pistons. Unbalance
will also set up vibrations which, if
maintained for prolonged periods, will
cause fatigue from the fluctuating stresses
induced.

This may in turn lead to fatigue cracking of
metal in bearings, fracture of bearing studs or
bolts, cracks in crankshaft and bedplate, and
slackening or failure of holding -down bolts. A
watchkeeper may ascertain that running
conditions are normal by observation of the
relevant temperatures and pressures, particularly
exhaust and cooling return temperatures,
lubricating oil and turbocharge pressures. The
exhaust should be clear of smoke and there
should be no unusual noise or vibration.