MAPEX-PR (Piston Running) is a useful tool for checking pistonrunning
behaviour without opening the engine. It continuously
monitors the temperatures of the cylinder liners and the cooling water,
and analyses them according to several alarm criteria which also take
into account the engine load. Alarm signals are generated in the case
of abnormal events. The past history of temperatures can also be
reconstructed to enable relevant conclusions to be drawn. A unique ability is claimed to detect high friction on the cylinder liner at an
early stage, this ensuring the reduction or even prevention of major
consequential damage through piston scuffing. Other conditions
indicated by the system include increased scavenge air temperature,
excessive fluctuations in cooling water temperature, too high or too
low average temperature of the whole engine, and excessive deviation
of individual cylinder temperatures. Irregularities in the engine can
be detected before serious damage occurs.