Failure Analysis of Pushrod Valve Train of Stationary Diesel Engine

W. R. TUCKART

Buenos Aires

Workshop; 2º International Workshop of Tribology-TRIBaires 2013; 2013

Asociación Argentina de Tribología

Stationary diesel engine oils are used in engines that are commonly employed in industries such as agriculture, oil and gas exploration, chemical processing, and papermaking, and for generating power to drive pumps, compressors, drilling equipment, and other auxiliary machinery. In the complexity of the technical challenge within the internal combustion engine, cams and followers operate in the most arduous tribological conditions. The push-rod system design had been favoured in the past due to its many virtues; ease of adjustment, the availability of the camshaft to drive accessories such as the oil pump and distributor and good lubrication due to their close proximity to the sump. However, while the cam followers receive a plentiful supply of lubricant from the main engine bearings, they are exposed to the decomposition by products of combustion. For this reason thelubricant should resist several contaminants like oxidation to minimize the formation of harmful products, such as acids, lacquer, and sludge. These products will adversely affect engine performance. The present work investigates the root causes of the failure by a set of roller followers and the cam tips of stationary Waukesha diesel engine. This fact led to retire the engine from service, due to a serious damage detected in the cam followers by fatigue damage, and the loss of material exhibited in the cam tips.