Cylinder Head Temperature
A cylinder head is part of the internal combustion engine. It is a critical and widely used component, produced to different specifications and applied in the automotive, locomotive, marine, engineering and aviation industries. Cylinder heads are produced to different requirements, but in this blog we will look at the role of a cylinder head within large marine applications and find out why temperature is so important.
A marine cylinder head is a hefty piece of machinery. Its primary purpose is to seal the combustion chamber and allow fuel and air through the cylinders and exhaust. It also provides a passage for cooling water which is essential to avoid overheating.
Within a large marine diesel engine, the cylinder head is made from a large block of cast iron. The casting is well equipped to resist excessive temperatures, and damage is unlikely below 350*F. But the engine temperature can get much hotter than this, so a system of cooling must be deployed.
A marine cylinder head is cooled using the ‘high temperature cooling water system’. This system is an inexpensive method of cooling large components using water. It uses valves and a circulatory process to maintain the ship’s engine temperature at an optimal level.
But how is the temperature measured? Within marine applications, a temperature gauge is used to monitor the cylinder head temperature.
What Is A Cylinder Head Temperature Gauge?
A temperature gauge measures and maintains the temperature within the cylinder head cooling system. It measures the water temperature, and this is adjusted as necessary to keep the engine’s temperature at a stable and optimal level.
This stable and consistent temperature is important for a marine diesel engine. The engine on a boat is designed for steady, consistent RPMs, which contrasts to a car engine that operates continuously at varying loads and speeds. Longevity and reliability are important properties for a marine vessel. If the engine becomes too hot it will cause additional wear on the components and the engine will not run efficiently.
The general rule in marine applications is that if the cylinder head temperature exceeds 400*F, it’s too hot. It is really important to avoid overheating engine components as this can generate a very costly repair bill. If a serious overheat occurs, the cylinder head may become warped or cracked, causing damage to surrounding components or even engine failure.
The team here at Cast Iron Welding Services can help with all aspects of your cylinder head repair.
Call us now to discuss.
What Is Cylinder Head Temperature?
Large industrial and marine cylinder heads are often made from cast iron due to its vast compressive strength and durability. During the engine’s combustion process, a cylinder head will endure immense heat and pressure consistently. This process will be repeated over many years, and while cast iron is very resistant to high temperatures, it does have limitations.
Cast iron is limited to a temperature of 500*F. If it overheats it can develop cracks which will in turn compromise the rest of the engine. Signs of overheating include loss of power, and unusual engine noises. So the temperature within a marine diesel engine must be monitored and cooling procedures set in place should they be needed.
In this blog, we’ve investigated the normal cylinder head temperature range. We have looked at how temperature is monitored using a temperature gauge and what will happen if the cylinder head becomes too hot.
If you have a question or need any further technical advice about a cast iron component, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team here at Cast Iron Welding Services. We are industry experts in the maintenance and repair of cast iron.
Marie Palmer
Director
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