Timing Chain Test Bench Equipped with Hydraulic Chain Force Control

The condition of the lubricating oil is a critical factor for the lifetime of internal combustion engines. The timing chain is a particularly sensitive component to the oil quality, so it can be used as an indicator when the effect of the oil quality and contamination on the engine has to be examined. For this purpose, a unique timing chain test bench was developed at the Department of Propulsion Technology at Széchenyi István University. This paper presents the function of this test equipment and the results of the first tests aimed at comparing the wear of a diesel engine’s timing chain using various soot-contaminated engine oils. A significant difference in wear was detected after 25 h of operation using oils with different soot contents. In the case of oil comparison studies, the chain test bench can be a cheap and fast alternative to engine dynamometer tests.