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Pre-Ignition vs. Detonation Explained

This document discusses different types of abnormal combustion in engines: 1) Detonation occurs when a secondary flame front develops and collides with the initial flame front, causing extremely high temperatures and pressures. It can be caused by excessive compression, low fuel octane, or carbon deposits. 2) Pre-ignition is similar to detonation but the secondary flame front occurs before the spark plug fires. This causes cylinder pressures and temperatures to dramatically increase. It can be caused by excessive compression, heat in the cylinder from detonation or cooling/emission system issues, low octane fuel, or hot spots in the combustion chamber. 3) Abnormal combustion like detonation and pre-ignition can damage

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190 views12 pages

Pre-Ignition vs. Detonation Explained

This document discusses different types of abnormal combustion in engines: 1) Detonation occurs when a secondary flame front develops and collides with the initial flame front, causing extremely high temperatures and pressures. It can be caused by excessive compression, low fuel octane, or carbon deposits. 2) Pre-ignition is similar to detonation but the secondary flame front occurs before the spark plug fires. This causes cylinder pressures and temperatures to dramatically increase. It can be caused by excessive compression, heat in the cylinder from detonation or cooling/emission system issues, low octane fuel, or hot spots in the combustion chamber. 3) Abnormal combustion like detonation and pre-ignition can damage

Uploaded by

abhishekdora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Combustion

Detonation and Pre-ignition


Normal Combustion

• Controlled burn of air/fuel mixture


• Lasts between .0005 and .004 seconds
• Flame front propagates at approx. 50 mph
• Combustion chamber temperature reaches
between 2000 and 3000 degrees Fahrenheit
Detonation (post-ignition)
• The heat from compression along with the
radiated heat from the initial flame front causes a
secondary flame front to develop
• This second flame front can propagate at
supersonic speeds
• This second flame front collides with the first
creating extremely high cylinder temperatures
(3500 F)and pressures (800 PSI)
Detonation Causes

• Excessive compression
• Insufficient fuel octane
• Carbon deposits
Pre-ignition
• Like detonation, pre-ignition causes two flame
fronts to propagate and collide causing a dramatic
increase in cylinder temperatures and pressure
• When the second flame front occurs before the
spark plug fires the abnormal combustion is called
pre-ignition
• Pre-ignition will cause excessive cylinder
pressures (1200 PSI) and temperatures (4000 F)
Pre-ignition Causes
• Excessive compression – as the temperature of
compression approaches 1700 Fahrenheit fuel will
spontaneously combust (depending on octane)
• Abnormal heat in the cylinder – caused by:
– Detonation
– Inoperative EGR valve
– Faulty cooling system
– Faulty intake air temperature control system
• Low octane fuel
Pre-ignition Causes

• Hot spots
– Sharp edge on combustion chamber or piston
– Carbon deposits
– Too high heat range plug
– Overheated valve (insufficient valve margin)
– Head gasket fire ring protruding into cylinder
• Plug wire crossfiring
Abnormal Combustion Effects
Abnormal Combustion Effects
• Piston damage
– Cracks in piston head
– Cracks in ring lands
– Melted piston head (aluminum spattered spark plug)
– Micro-melting of ring lands causing stuck rings
• Broken rings
• Blown head gasket
• Spark plug damage
• Connecting rod, bearing, and crankshaft damage
Abnormal Combustion Effects
Abnormal Combustion Effects
Abnormal Combustion Effects

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