Question 23 AEL01 - Assistant Engineer - Limited

The Correct Answer is D **Why option D ("adjustable to meet lubrication requirements") is correct:** Mechanical lubricators (or forced-feed lubricators) are designed to deliver precise, measured amounts of lubricating oil directly to critical points, such as the cylinder walls of a diesel engine. The amount of oil required varies depending on factors like engine speed, load, operating temperature, and the type of fuel used. Therefore, these reciprocating pumps must be **adjustable** so that the operator or maintenance staff can fine-tune the delivery rate (the amount of oil per engine revolution or per unit time) to meet the specific lubrication demands of the engine, ensuring optimal protection without wasting excessive oil. **Why the other options are incorrect:** A) **operated manually once each hour:** Mechanical lubricators are highly automated, designed to feed oil continuously and proportionally to engine operation. Manual operation once an hour would lead to periods of over-lubrication followed by periods of under-lubrication, quickly damaging the cylinder liners and rings. B) **operated until the engine has started:** Lubrication is necessary whenever the engine is running, particularly under load. If the lubricators stopped operating immediately after startup, severe friction and wear would occur while the engine is running, leading to catastrophic failure. C) **placed into operation only at maximum load:** While oil requirements increase with load, lubrication is essential at all operating loads (including idling and maneuvering). If the lubricators were only active at maximum load, the engine would suffer severe wear and damage during all other operating conditions.