Test your diesel by electronics
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AN ELECTRONIC test system, the 1588 Dieseltester, has been announced by Souriau (UK) Ltd, of Shirley Avenue, Windsor, Berks. Although, as its name implies, it was designed primarily for diesel engines it can also be used on petrol engines.
When used for diesel diagnosis a specially designed transducer is fitted in the fuel line of No 1 cylinder. Adaptors and a piece of fuel piping are supplied allowing the transducer to be used with in-line or DPA pumps, but the tester is not suitable for Cummins or GM diesels.
The transducer converts the fuel pressure pulses into electronic signals and relays them to the tester. Information thus received is registered on two dials, one giving rpm and the other degrees of advance. In this way the timing of the engine can be checked over a range of revs, and a stroboscopic light is used to view the timing marks.
The rev counter has two scales and can measure rpm from 0-1500 or 0-7000 while the timing range is 0 to 60'. A memory section of the test unit can be used to retain the degree of advance for a particular engine.
To check out fuel line, injector or pump faults, an oscilloscope can be coupled to the tester. Although it will only pinpoint a fault when connected to the injector line giving trouble, it will indicate that a problem exists in the system even when on a different fuel line.
Readings from the oscilloscope are compared with correct ones on a chart. If the tester is required to check a petrol engine, a magnetic HT cable clamp is clipped on to No 1 lead. This replaces the transducer pick-up.
Souriau has also introduced a diesel compression tester which is fitted to the engine using a dummy injector. Piston ring condition can be measured at maximum rpm and the valve seats checked at tickover.
Prices for the 1588 Dieseltester and oscilloscope are £500 and £620 respectively excluding VAT, but leasing arrangements are available. The diesel compression tester costs £65 excluding VAT, and an adaptor to link the oscilloscope to the test unit making the former independent of mains supply will cost £20 plus VAT.