The main propulsion diesel engines fitted on your uninspected fishing industry vessel are started with vane- type air-starting motors. What statement concerning air-start motor lubricator maintenance is true? (Assume a metal bowl fitted with a tubular sight glass.)
• Purpose of an air-start motor lubricator and why a steady supply of oil is important • How to read a tubular sight glass to judge oil level in a reservoir • Consequences of running a vane-type air motor with too little vs. too much lubricant
• Think about whether it is safer for machinery life to keep the lubricator closer to full or to let it run down near empty before refilling. • Consider what the sight glass is there to help you monitor: is it mainly to avoid overfilling, avoid running dry, or both? • Ask yourself at what point the oil level becomes uncertain or hard to judge accurately using a tubular sight glass.
• Make sure you understand what happens to vane-type air motors if they run with insufficient lubrication. • Consider what the words "no longer visible", "very upper part of the glass", "approximately half full", and "completely empty" imply about the actual oil condition and risk to the motor. • Verify which option best supports continuous, reliable lubrication rather than waiting until the last moment.
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