This article mainly introduces caterpillar 3208 Diesel Truck Engine High Fuel Consumption Troubleshooting
1. Preparation of vehicle for fuel consumption test
(consult dynamometer manufacturer's operating instructions for specific details on correct operation).
NOTE: Always perform the Primary Engine Test procedure before vehicle is installed on chassis dynamometer.
a. Place vehicle on the chassis dynamometer. Tie thevehicle in a way that will not add any load to the drive wheels, Do not pull wheels down into dynamometer drive roils.
Check the radiator coolant level, crankcase oil level, tire pressure, tire condition, remove rocks from the tire tread and connect exhaust system.
NOTICE Recapped tires should be run on a chassis dynamo-
meter only at the customer's own risk.
b. The maximum acceptable fuel rate must be calculated for the customer's engine by use of the formula that follows:
103 bhp (BSFC±010Max. Ful Rate' la/hn Fuel Density (bs/gal)
· At standard SAE test conditions Find the rated brake specific fuel consumption(lb-
bhp/hr) from the Fuel Setting And Related Information Fiche and add 0.25 mm(.010 in) manufacturing tolerance. Multiply this value by the advertised engine horsepower (plus 3% manufactures tolerance) and divide by the density of the fuel(lbs/gal).
C. Calculate the alowable fimits that the customer can expect from his engine and present these figures to him. Caterpilar engines are rated with the conditions that fallow.
2 Barometric pressure= 747 mm (29.4 in) of mercury Inlet air temperature= 29℃(85F) at air cleaner inlet Fuel gravity=API gravity of 35 at 16C (60°F)
NOTICE If there is a heavy vibration, drive shaft whip, tire bounce, etc., do not continue with dynamometer test until cause of the problem is corrected. Engines that have had new internal parts installed should be operat-
ed on a run-in schedule before operation at full load.
Put transmission in direct gear and the difterential in the highest speed ratio. Operate vehicle at maximumengine speed and increase chassis dynamometer load until a speed of 50 rpm less than rated speed is reached (continuity light should be on). Maintain this speed for one minute and record the engine speed.
wheel horsepower and fuel rate.
3. IH the fuel rate and the wheel horsepower are both acceptable, then the engine is not the cause of the complaint, or the complaint is not valid. Reter to section Problem With Vehicle Or Vehicle Operation.
4. I the wheel horsepower is low, regardiess of how the fuel rate measures, fefer to the Low Power Troubleshooting Chart. The low power problem must be corrected first.
5. If the fuel rate and wheel horsepower are both too high, check the set point(balance point) of the engine(speed at which the load stop pin just touches the torque spring or stop bar). At this point the continuity light should flicker (go off and on dimly).
Ifthe set point(balance point) is high, the high idle will have to be decreased to lower the set point(balance point) to the correct rpm(point at which the continuity light just comes on). If the set point(balance point) is correct, see Procedure No.8.
6. If the fuel rate is high and the wheel horsepower is acceptable, use the 8T5300 Timing Indicator Group to check the timing of the fuel injection pump camshaft to the engine camshaft. See Fuel System of the Testing and Adjusting section of this Service Manual for the subject Checking Engine Timing And Automatic Timing Advance Unit With 8T5300 Timing Indicator Group. if the timing is correct, see Procedure No 7.
7. Use the 8T5300 Timing Indicator Group to check the autormatic timing advance unit. Check to see that the advance is smooth and that the amount of advance is correct. See Fuel Systerm of the Testing and Adjusting section of this Service Manual for the subject Checking Engine Timing And Automatic Timing Advance Unit With 8T5300 Timing Indicator Group.
8. If the fuel rate is still too high, install 5P4203 Field Service Tool Group and check the fuel setting. Thecorrect fuel setting is given in Fuel Setting And Related Information Fiche. If fuel setting is not correct, the adjustment procedure is shown in Testing and Adjusting section of this Service Manual under subject Fuel Setting, If fuel setting is
correct, see Procedure No 9.
Caterpillar Flash Files 2021.07 (Full Set)
9. Check the fuel nozzles with the 5P4150 Nozzle Tester. Testing of the injectors must be done off the engine. Use 5P4150 Nozzle Testing Group. For use of the 5P4150 Nozzle Testing Group, refer to Special Instruction, Form No. SEHS7292.
If the nozzles have been wire brushed or do not meet Caterpilar specifications, they must be replaced. If the nozzles are good, remove the complete fuel iniection pump housing and check the fuel pump calibration. See Fuel Pump Calibration in Testing and Adjusting secticn of this Service Manual.
