Testing engines for motorsport vehicles (fixed dynamometer)
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out dynamometer tests on engines for motorsport vehicles, in accordance with approved procedures, and as is appropriate to the engine type. You will be required to carry out all necessary preparations to the engine in readiness for the tests to be carried out, and these will include ensuring the engine is correctly connected to the dynamometer, that all ancillary equipment is fitted to the engine, appropriate blanking plates are fitted, test instrumentation is correctly connected and all necessary electrical checks are carried out. In carrying out the tests you will be required to follow laid-down procedures, to ensure that the working area is clear, appropriate guards and notices are displayed, engine runs/tests are carried out in accordance with the appropriate schedule, monitoring procedures are complied with, analysis of results is made, and that test documentation is completed accurately and legibly.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the tests undertaken, and to report any problems with the testing activities that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to undertaking the appropriate engine test procedures. You will understand the engine being tested, the specific test schedule to be followed, and will know what the various instruments and readings mean, in adequate depth to provide sound basis for carrying out the tests to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the testing activities, in particular those involved with fuelling and running the engine. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- carry out the required tests using appropriate tools and equipment
- set up and carry out the tests using the correct procedures and within agreed timescales
- record the results of the tests in the appropriate format
- review and analyse the results and carry out further tests if necessary
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
- ensure that work records are completed, stored securely and available to others, as per organisational requirements
- leave the work area in a safe condition on completion of the activities, as per organisational and legal requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety precautions to be taken whilst carrying out the activities (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area and the activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- the hazards associated with the activities, and how to minimise them and reduce risks
the personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the activities
the preparations to be carried out on the engine prior to starting the engine tests (attaching to the dynamometer, fitting test instrumentation, fitting ancillary equipment, fitting blanking plates, filling engine with oil, making fuel connections, attaching electrical power and making final electrical checks of all systems)
- how to carry out initial start-up procedures and checks (to include checking that engine starting and shutdown systems operate correctly, idle speed is satisfactory, fuel flow is operating correct, oil pressure is to specification, oil filters, connections, gaskets and seals are free from leaks)
- how to access and setup the computer software required to run the engine tests
- how to obtain the required test schedules and specifications for the motorsport and engine type being tested, and how to check their currency and validity
- how to read and interpret the specifications, and who you can seek assistance from if you have problems or issues regarding the test schedules or specifications
- the methods and procedures to be used to carry out the various engine tests
- the need to apply engine power in incremental stages, and to check all readings, temperatures and pressures at each stage
- how to record the results of each individual test, and the documentation that must be used
- from whom to seek authorisation if you need to alter or change the test procedures
- the procedures to be followed if the engine or system fails to meet the test specification
- how to analyse the test results and make valid decisions about the acceptability of the engine
- potential problems that can occur with the testing activities, and how they can be overcome
- problems that may cause errors or discrepancies in/with the test results, and how to avoid them
- environmental controls required relating to the testing
- why equipment control is critical, and what to do if a piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the testing activities
- the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
- how to access, use and maintain information to comply with organisational requirements and legislation
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following during the testing activities:
- obtain and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, test schedules, test procedures, engine specifications, quality control documentation and other related documentation)
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, hazardous substances, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
- provide and maintain safe access and working arrangements for the test area, and ensure that any appropriate environmental conditions can be met
- use safe and approved testing techniques and procedures at all times
- return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities
- leave the engine and work area in a clean and safe condition on completion of the testing activities
- dispose of waste items in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner
Test engines for one of the following types of motorsport vehicle:
- single seater
- kart
- rallying
- historic
- sports car
- other specific approved competition vehicle
Carry out tests to appropriate schedules on one of the following types of motorsport engine:
- production engines
- repaired/overhauled engines
- development engines
Prepare the engine for testing and carry out initial start-up checks, to include all of the following, as applicable to the engine type:
correctly connect the engine to the dynamometer
fit all required engine ancillary equipment (such as starter motors, slave oil filters, magnetic chip detectors and strainers)
- fit all required environmental equipment (such as forced air fans, exhaust extraction)
- fit blanking plates (where appropriate)
- fill the engine with oil
- make all required connections to the engine, to include fuel connections, electrical and instrumentation
- carry out all necessary electrical checks and confirm that the engine is ready for testing
- ensure that all personal are clear of the test facility and safe working distance procedures are maintained
- load and prepare computer software for operation (where applicable)
- check the engine starting system
- run the engine and check that the engine shutdown system operates correctly
- carry out idle checks
- check that engine oil pressure is satisfactory
- check that fuel flow is operating correctly
- check all oil filters, connections, gaskets and seals for signs of leakage
Undertake engine tests as listed in the appropriate engine test schedule, to include all of the following:
- initiating the engine test sequence
- checking that engine temperature is within specification
- carrying out running and handling checks
- carrying out performance curves
- checking that throttle/high pressure fuel flow operates smoothly
- carrying out vibration surveys
- checking engine pressures are within specification
- ensuring that maximum power is achieved
Deal with two of the following complexities during the engine tests:
- engine runs with no faults
- engine runs with faults
- engines with intermittent faults
Disconnect the engine on completion of the testing procedures, to include carrying out all of the following:
- shutting down computer system (where appropriate)
- checking all oil filters, connections, gaskets and seals for signs of leakage
- removing and checking magnetic chip detectors for contamination
- removing and checking slave filters for contamination
- installing engine's own magnetic chip detectors and filters
- draining all oil and fuel from the engine
- removing all blanks and instrumentation fitted
- removing engine from dynamometer safely and correctly
- preparing engine for passing to race team/customer
Review and analyse the results of the test run, using two of the following:
- data sheets
- calibration records
- log cards/history sheet
- engine test schedule
- fault records
Check tests comply with one of the following:
- race associations
- legislation, current industry standards, codes of practice and procedures
- engine manufacturer's specification
- customer standards and requirements
- team/company standards and procedures
- specific vehicle requirements