Diesel engine endurance test with water-containing fire-resistant fuel. Interim report Mar-Sep 77

A production LDT-465-1C multifuel diesel engine was operated according to a double-length Army/CRC Wheeled Vehicle Test Cycle (420 total hours) using a fire-resistant diesel fuel containing 10 vo1% water. The effects of this water-in-fuel macroemulsion on engine power output, deposits, wear, and oil degradation were examined. The results indicate that this fire-resistant fuel formulation, under the conditions evaluated, does not result in abnormal deposits nor are there any major effects (adverse or favorable) on engine wear or oil degradation. However, a significant loss in horsepower output as a function of test duration did result. Post-test examinations indicated the presence of fuel-origin deposits in the injection system which were attributed to the sugar-type surfactants used in this investigation.