A methodology for non-invasive diagnosis of diesel engines through characteristics of starter system performance

Abstract

In this work, a methodology to diagnose ten diesel bus engines is carried out by means of some characteristics of the starting system performance. The signals of battery voltage, electric current supplied to the starter motor and crankshaft revolutions during cold and warm engine starting processes are analysed. Characteristics and patterns of the signals that are attributable to engine compression and combustion failures are pointed out, which are related to the kilometres travelled by each vehicle after the last engine repair and the shutdown time of the engine in warm condition. It is obtained that the rise of the current required by the starter motor during the second and third compression process, and the mean crankshaft angular acceleration after the second compression process are characteristics that are related to the engine condition.

Keywords

• internal combustion engines
• engine diagnosis
• starting system
• starting process