Engineering Magazines

In a conventional marine diesel engine the power is produced by hot compressed air igniting fuel sprayed under very high pressure into the cylinder head. A marine diesel engine does not use a carburetor to mix fuel and air or spark plugs to ignite the mixture. Instead it employs the pistons to compress the air to 3000 kPa which causes it to become extremely hot and the fuel is ignited as soon as it is injected into the cylinder.

Some marine diesel engines are fitted with a heater plug in the inlet manifold or a glow plug in the pre-combustion chamber of each cylinder to provide additional heat to the combustion air during starting.

Diesel engines are heavier and slower revving than petrol engines but they are also more reliable because they do not rely on external carburetion or an electrical spark for ignition.

Newer engines use an electronic fuel injection system whereby fuel and air are mixed more thoroughly in the pre-combustion chamber before entering the cylinder. This system maximizes power and fuel economy and is also less polluting.

Every boater should have an understanding of how their engine works so let’s start by explaining the mechanical cycles.

Most reciprocating piston internal combustion engines work on one of two mechanical cycles-either the four-stroke cycle or the two-stroke cycle. These cycles designate, in correct sequence, the mechanical actions by which the fuel and air gain access to the engine cylinder, the gas pressure – due to combustion – is converted to power and, finally, the burnt gas is expelled from the engine cylinder.

The Basic Four-Stroke Diesel Engine

From its name, it is obvious there are four strokes in one complete engine cycle. A stroke is the movement of the piston through the full length of the cylinder and – since one such movement causes the crankshaft to rotate half a turn – it follows that there are two crankshaft revolutions in one complete engine cycle.

The four strokes in the order they occur are:

1. Inlet stroke. With the inlet valve open and the exhaust valve closed, the piston moves from top dead center (TDC) to bottom dead center (BDC), creating a low-pressure area in the cylinder. Clean, filtered air rushes through the open inlet valve to relieve this low-pressure area, and the cylinder fills with air.

2. Compression stroke. With both valves closed, the piston moves from BDC to TDC, compressing the air. During this stroke the air becomes heated to a temperature sufficiently high to ignite the fuel.

3. Power stroke. At approximately TDC, the fuel is injected, or sprayed, into the hot, compressed air, where it ignites, burns and expands. Both valves remain closed, and the pressure acts on the piston crown, forcing it down the cylinder from TDC to BDC.

4. Exhaust stroke. At approximately BDC the exhaust valve opens and the piston starts to move from BDC to TDC, driving the burnt gas out of the cylinder through the open exhaust valve.

The Two-Stroke Diesel Engine

The two-stroke engine uses two piston strokes to complete one power stroke and, therefore, fire twice as often as a four-stroke engine. A two-stroke engine is smaller and simpler with fewer moving parts. A two-stroke engine has the potential to produce twice as much power as a four-stroke engine of the same size, however, because of the extra fitting required in a two-stroke diesel engine, for example blowers and governors, they become more expensive to produce. There has been a shift towards four stroke diesel engines which have become more efficient and smaller.

Protect Your Marine Diesel Engine

Protect your engine by avoiding long periods (more than 10 minutes) of idling in a “no-load” situation. This is often done to charge batteries or cool refrigeration but if done repeatedly it will glaze the bores of the engine and cause premature engine failure. If the vessel is in a berth the engine can be put in gear to create load at idle.

All boat owners should have an understanding of basic marine diesel engine maintenance to keep themselves and their families safe on the water.

To efficiently facilitate chemical reactions among fuel exhausts, catalytic converters have gone a long way since their power-sapping and pellet-style versions. Now, newer honeycomb converters have been developed to deliver precision flow of exhaust gases while cleaning up your engine from nasty pollutants. Your powerful engine may employ oxidation or three-way type of Mazda catalytic converter. To regulate the toxicity of exhausts, an oxidation converter takes main focus on the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon contents of gases. As the name implies, this type of converter makes use of an oxidation process to speed up the rate of converting carbon monoxides and hydrocarbons into harmless water vapors and carbon dioxide. The three-way type facilitates an oxidation process similar to the oxidation type. Only, it also takes focus in the reduction of nitrogen oxide levels. The inside shell of the part has BB-sized or Monolithic substrate that serves as effect agents that significantly makes the combustion by-products more acceptable to the environment. The substrate material is plated with thin coating of rhodium, platinum, or palladium to assist or speed up the chemical reactions required to reduce emission levels.Because the part constantly handles harsh working conditions, damages will come inevitable once it has served well and long enough. Broken or rusted out converter body is a clear indication of an already failing part. To have early Mazda catalytic converter diagnosis that is to be followed by timely repair, you must be sensitive enough to the indications delivered by your engine OBD systems. The system makes a great tool in offering accurate and enough information to help qualified service technicians properly diagnose and repair converters during routine checks for maintenance. Because the system is designed to alert you once something goes wrong in the emission control system mechanisms, it could help you optimize the efficiency and service life of your stock converters. In case the part goes beyond repair, you must immediately find new and precision fitting replacement to maintain engine precision and enjoy excellent fuel economy with powerful engine performance. Prolonging the use of an already inefficient converter could cause serious engine damages due to failure and imprecision. A high flow Mazda Catalytic Converter make a great valued investment you can reward your vehicle. Aside from keeping your engine and exhaust clean, the part could yield substantial increases to horsepower and torque so your Mazda ride follows the course of your driving style with no fail.

It is important to maintain your car and ensure it’s in good working order before any journey is made, especially long distance journeys so that you can get the most miles out of your fuelled car. Below are 11 fuel saving tips that can be followed:

1.Ensure that the car tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and that the tyres also have the correct tread depth. The cars manufacturers guide should contain details on the cars recommended tread depth and tyre pressure as this varies with different car models.

2.Ensure that the cars engine is tuned regularly and ensure that this is followed up by a routine maintenance check on the car either by you or by an approved garage.

3.Ensure that any junk has been removed from the cars boot. Some professionals believe that for every 250 pound worth of extra weight that the engine has to transport, the car can lose up to 1 mile per gallon.

4.Use cash to pay for your fuel at petrol stations that charge extra to process a credit card payment.

5.Drive economically and intelligently. Making fast starts and sudden stops may use more fuel. Avoid revving the car unnecessarily. Revving may also use more fuel than is necessary.

6.Abide by the speed limits and slow down on the accelerator because the faster you drive, the more fuel the car may burn. For example, if somebody drives at 55 mph rather then 65 mph, they may be able to get an average of 2 extra miles in per gallon. That is what I call an improvement in fuel economy.

7.Warming up the car should only take around 1 minute, even during the cold wintry mornings. If you’re spending more than a minute in warming up the car, you may be using more of that expensive fuel than required.

8.Plan your day and possibly your week. Try and run more errands in one journey by planning your stops and take the most efficient route. This will save you time as well as money.

9.Don’t rest the left foot on the brake as this may cause a drag that requires more fuel and can wear out the breaks sooner than you think.

10.Ensure that the petrol cap is sealed tightly to avoid any petrol evaporation. Even the slightest hole or gap may cause fuel to evaporate from the tank.

11.Fuel up at the cheapest fuelling station in your area to avoid wasting additional pennies.

Check out the amazing New MUV from Mahindra – The Mahindra Xylo

Did you know that just cleaning your car can drastically improve fuel economy? Or that traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day? Browse through these car care or auto repair tips and find out how to get the best out of your Mahindra Xylo, keep your vehicle in good shape for years to come and discover ways to make your journey safer and more enjoyable.

Car Care and Auto Repair

Car Engine Oil

It is normal for engines to consume some car engine oil during operation. If the Oil Pressure warning light glows continuously, check the car engine oil level and add the recommended grade of oil if necessary. Use Mahindra Maximile Premium Engine Oil only. It is ideal for your Mahindra Xylo.

Note:

Car Engine oil consumption depends upon the viscosity and quality of the oil, and upon the conditions in which the vehicle is driven. Oil consumption will be more during high speed driving and frequent acceleration and deceleration. A new engine will consume more car engine oil since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls are not conditioned.

Battery

If the battery terminal is corroded, wash it with a solution of warm water and baking soda.

Check the battery exterior for corroded and loose terminal connections.

Be sure the engine and all accessories are turned ‘OFF’ before performing maintenance.

Always disconnect the negative terminal cable first from the battery.

Check the electrolyte level at intervals of 3 months. If the level is below the lower marker, add distilled water until the level reaches the upper marker.

Tires

Inspect your vehicle’s tires by performing the following checks.

Measure the air pressure with a tire gauge. Adjust, if necessary.

Check for abnormal wear, cracks and any damage. If a tire shows abnormal wear, have it inspected by your Mahindra Dealer. Replace, if needed.

Increasing Fuel Efficiency

Get up to 25% more fuel efficiency from your Mahindra Xylo by following these tips.

Sudden bursts of speed can prove costly. Accelerate steadily, brake gradually. Plan your trip and pace your speed. And avoid high traffic density roads. Rolling in neutral saves 15-20 cc of fuel. Ensure perfect wheel balance and you can cover up to 20% of your distance in neutral. Wrong tyre pressure is a drain on fuel. Check the owner’s manual for the correct tyre pressure for your Mahindra Xylo. Better still invest in a tyre pressure gauge. Use oils & fluids recommended by the manufacturer.

Only Mahindra knows what oils & fluids your Mahindra Xylo needs. Buy only what is recommended in the manual.

Excessive cooling increases fuel consumption. Switch off the AC when it’s not needed. Keep the refrigerant topped up. Get the AC checked regularly. Use the tachometer to save fuel. Your owner’s manual will tell you how to shift gears according to the Tachometer and thus save fuel. Going easy on the clutch saves fuel. Take your foot off the clutch pedal if you’re not shifting gears. And when you do use it, remember to depress it completely. Remove the 3rd row to reduce fuel usage. Fill only as much fuel as needed. It reduces extra weight, unwanted spillage and evaporation losses. Dirt soaks up fuel. Remove dirt from wheel arches, drip rails and other such places. It could reduce weight by almost 15 kg. Go easy on accessories.

Accessories such as roof carriers and bumper extensions drag down fuel efficiency. Listen to music and save fuel – When stuck in traffic, turn off the engine and switch on the car deck.

Check out the amazing New MUV from Mahindra – The Mahindra Xylo

The car may be one of their most valuable investment. However, maintenance and keeping it at its optimum condition can be very costly. There are many factors that influence money to keep your car. Their driving habits, the type of car, the car engine performance can be some of these factors.

To be able to obtain a good understanding of what really are the factors why you leave your wallet empty, below the list of “must formulate proposals” on driving, maintenance, or buying a car:

List options before knowing what vehicle you definitely need. Taking a little ‘time to list down things you will use your car to determine the differences between their real needs and wishes. It ‘important to remember that any further want to add more of what you definitely need will cost not only during the time of buying, but in the majority of cases on the right track, with an increase in the cost of maintenance and operational costs.

Adopt measures to reduce their operating costs. The moment you have a car, take some simple steps may reduce their operating costs with hundreds of dollars. For example, if it reduces its consumption of gas at $ 20 per week, will save more than $ 1000 a year. For a simple change of some driving habits and pay more attention and utmost care for their cars, many of the people can easily save this amount.

Driving within the speed limit. Vehicles use approximately 20% more fuel driving at 70 miles per hour what they do at 55 mph.

Avoid using your car’s air conditioning whenever it is possible. If not necessarily hot, just choose not to use their air conditioning. Air conditioning may reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%.

Avoid hitting roads in poor conditions. Help on gravel or dirt roads can lower fuel efficiency up to 30%. It is good for the paved roads where practicable.

Travel light. Be sure to remove all the excess weight from your vehicle. Do not use your vehicle’s trunk as a storage space. This adds unnecessary pounds to the weight of the car, consequently, reduces the car fuel efficiency.

Drive with ease. When driving, always try to slowly accelerate, brake gradually and avoid stops that are unnecessary. Gunning the engine, accelerating rapidly, and stopping abruptly are fuel wasters.

Avoid stop and go driving. Traffic may be one of the most gas consuming situation driving can be. When you’re stuck in traffic, trying to maintain a crawl. As the hills or steep slopes, the first to speed up the hill. Accelerating once on a slope much more gas is consumed.

Visit car service regularly. When doing this, always be sure to pay special attention to oil filters. Blocked air filters increase fuel waste. Try to also check the alignment of your car like this can attribute to engine drag that will also add to gas wastage.

Calculate your fuel. Occasionally, take time to calculate and check your car fuel efficiency. The loss of fuel efficiency of your car is an indication of any mechanical problems.

Your mileage has certainly become a much more interesting topic in recent times. This is not because folks have just developed a new love for auto mechanics; it has to do with how much of our monthly spend goes to gas. The price of gas is still near all time highs and does not show any signs of dropping low enough to really make a difference. I will give you a few tips that will help you maximize your gas mileage.

You can get better gas mileage by changing your oil at regular intervals. If you’ve been putting off this important chore indefinitely you’ve built a drain on your finances without knowing. Time is money. But the time spent on changing your oil is saved at the gas station. Always remember what you’re losing otherwise. This will motivate you to do your oils as frequently as necessary.

The next thing that can help you improve your mileage is the attention you give to your tires. The condition of your tires affects your fuel use. Under inflated tires lower your gas mileage by 0.4 for every one pound of drop in pressure of all four tires. This means that if you’re under inflated by as much as 5 pounds you are losing as much as 2% in your fuel economy.

Still on tires, if your tires are not properly aligned they will drag and not roll freely. This also will increase fuel consumption. So, it’s a good idea to ensure your tires are properly aligned. Generally make sure your tires have all the care they require. You’ll get better mileage for that.

The more load you have on your car, the less your gas mileage. This means that you must get rid of stuff that are of no practical use to you on a drive. Check your trunk, you’ll be surprised how much has accumulated over time. Remove them and keep only the essentials.

A warm engine saves more fuel than a cool engine. How can you take advantage of this fact? Simple. Try as much as possible to combine every bit of activity that involves driving around into one or less drives. You can work out mutual arrangements with friends that will help you maximize this option.

There are features you can use on the highway to improve your gas mileage. They are the cruise control and the overdrive. The first helps you maintain your speed while the other provides an extra gear for high speeds.

Driving at speeds above 60km/h lower you gas mileage. So drive at slower speeds wherever you can.

Go ahead and make sure you try all these tips and you’ll improve your gas mileage considerably.