MODU – Chief Engineer, Revision & Practice Exams

The amount of fuel delivered by a unit injector is controlled by the __________.

1. rack position ✓
2. camshaft
3. engine speed
4. main spring

High firing pressures and a low exhaust temperature in a diesel engine may result from __________.

1. early exhaust valve opening
2. early fuel injection timing ✓
3. low scavenge air temperature
4. increased exhaust system back pressure

Governor hunting is caused by __________.

1. governor under-control
2. governor over-control ✓
3. excessive speed droop
4. insufficient speed droop

If the items shown in the illustration are burning, this fire would be a Class __________. Illustration SF-0001

1. "A" ✓
2. "B"
3. "C"
4. "D"

Paints and solvents used aboard a vessel should be __________.

1. stowed safely at the work site until work is completed
2. covered with a fine mesh screen to protect from ignition sources
3. returned to the paint locker after each use ✓
4. drained into a common container after each use

A simple precaution to reduce the possibility of accidental fires in the paint locker, is to __________.

1. label the fixed firefighting system
2. store paint cans on metal shelves only
3. not allow oily rags to accumulate in the space ✓
4. place a portable fire extinguisher immediately outside the locker

As shown in the illustration, what is the purpose of the main contacts of contactor "1S"? Illustration EL-0012

1. The "1S" contactor connects the autotransformer in delta configuration during the starting/acceleration period.
2. The "1S" contactor connects the autotransformer to the line during the starting/acceleration period.
3. The "1S" contactor connects the autotransformer in wye configuration during the starting/acceleration period. ✓
4. The "1S" contactor connects the autotransformer in wye configuration during the run period.

By what means should motor controller contacts be routinely cleaned?

1. filing with a bastard file
2. dressing with crocus cloth
3. blowing with compressed air
4. wiping with a clean dry cloth ✓

For the purposes of shipboard practice, voltages above what threshold would be considered high voltage?

1. 440 VAC
2. 1000 VAC ✓
3. 4160 VAC
4. 6600 VAC

When a high voltage system insulation test value is suspect or recorded during an annual survey, a polarization index test is performed. What is the polarization index?

1. The polarization index is the ratio of the insulation resistance taken at thirty minutes to the insulation resistance taken at one minute.
2. The polarization index is the ratio of the insulation resistance taken at ten minutes to the insulation resistance taken at one minute. ✓
3. The polarization index is the ratio of the insulation resistance taken at one minute to the insulation resistance taken at ten minutes.
4. The polarization index is the insulation resistance taken at ten minutes.

As shown in the illustrated adaptive digital steering control system functional block diagram and listed system interface signals table, what would the rudder order signal output voltage to the rudder servo amplifier be for a rudder order of 15 degrees right rudder, assuming left rudder signals are negative and right order signals are positive in polarity? Illustration EL-0191

1. -1.33 VDC
2. -3.75 VDC
3. +3.75 VDC ✓
4. +5.0 VDC

The gear drive, shown in the illustration, can have the backlash determined best by using a __________. Illustration MO-0091

1. Lead wire
2. Lash indicator
3. Red dye indicator
4. Feeler gauge ✓

In a closed-loop process control system, what term is used to describe the action of measuring the difference between the actual result and the desired result and using that difference to drive the actual result toward the desired result?

1. Deadband
2. Gain
3. Instability
4. Feedback ✓

Which of the following statements describes the characteristics of precision manufactured roller bearings?

1. They have a relatively high power loss due to friction.
2. They are well adapted to variable speed operation. ✓
3. Their lubrication is complicated and requires constant attention.
4. They are not capable of maintaining alignment over long periods of time.

What physical property of low sulfur distillate fuel can result in operational difficulties?

1. Lower heat content results in higher fuel consumption.
2. Increased viscosity requires additional heating.
3. Higher zinc content precipitates out sludge.
4. Lack of lubricity in the fuel can result in sticking/scuffing of fuel pump plungers and injector nozzles. ✓

What is the maximum allowable clearance permitted between the bearing, shown in the illustration and the shaft along its vertical axis? Illustration MO-0121

1. 0.30 mm
2. 0.46 mm
3. 0.80 mm ✓
4. 1.00 mm

If the compensating needle valve of a hydraulic governor is opened more than necessary the governor will __________.

1. have a larger than normal deadband
2. respond slowly to any change in engine load
3. produce excessive speed response to a load change ✓
4. stabilize engine speed at the new governor setting

An acceptable method of temporarily sealing a crack formed in the hull of a vessel is to __________.

1. drill holes at each end
2. shore up the crack with welded braces
3. apply a patch of sheet packing backed by a strongback or shoring ✓
4. tack weld a doubler plate over the crack

A class "D" fire would involve the burning of __________.

1. electrical insulation
2. diesel oil
3. dunnage
4. magnesium ✓

When fighting a liquefied natural gas fire, you should __________.

1. use only carbon dioxide
2. secure the source of gas, then extinguish the fire ✓
3. extinguish the fire, then secure the source of gas
4. use only dry chemical

Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning life jackets?

1. Buoyant vests may be substituted for life jackets.
2. Life jackets are designed to turn an unconscious person's face clear of the water. ✓
3. Life jackets must always be worn with the same side facing outwards to float properly.
4. Lightly stained or faded life jackets will fail in the water and should not be used.

An oxygen indicator will detect __________.

1. concentrations of explosive gas
2. the presence of harmful amounts of carbon monoxide
3. an oxygen deficiency in a space ✓
4. all of the above

Your vessel has run aground and upon taking fuel oil tank soundings, you find that a fuel tank level has increased. You therefore should suspect __________.

1. a crack in the hull portion of the fuel tank ✓
2. a load of bad fuel
3. condensation in the fuel tank
4. contamination from the saltwater flushing system

Bunker "C" is classified as a grade __________.

1. "A" liquid
2. "B" liquid
3. "E" liquid ✓
4. "D" liquid

The primary function of an automatic sprinkler system is to __________.

1. limit the spread of the fire and control the amount of heat produced ✓
2. protect people in the areas which have had sprinkler heads installed
3. instantaneously extinguish the fire which triggered it
4. alert the crew to the fire

You notice smoke coming from an open laundry room doorway, which smells like electrical insulation. After activating the fire alarm, which of the following would be the lowest action priority?

1. Close the door to the room.
2. Locate the nearest CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher.
3. Secure power to the washers and dryers.
4. Break out the nearest fire hose. ✓

When making entries in the Oil Record Book, all quantities should be __________.

1. consistently recorded through the Oil Record Book in one specified unit (gallons, barrels, cubic meters) ✓
2. recorded as cubic meters with a conversion to barrels
3. recorded directly from the oil discharge monitor
4. verified by the chief engineer

The instrument shown in the illustration has not been used for several weeks. Prior to its use for testing a compartment, you should __________. Illustration SF-0003

1. check or renew the batteries
2. purge the meter
3. adjust the meter pointer to zero
4. all of the above ✓

To prevent shaft currents in an alternator, the outboard bearing shell or outboard bearing pedestal is insulated. If the methodology used is the insulated bearing pedestal, how is the pedestal insulation evaluated?

1. Measuring the resistance between the bearing pedestal and the bearing bedplate of an assembled machine with a 500-Volt megohmmeter.
2. Measuring the resistance between the bearing pedestal and the bearing bedplate of a disassembled machine with a 500-Volt megohmmeter. ✓
3. Measuring the resistance between the bearing pedestal and the bearing bedplate of a disassembled machine with a digital multimeter setup as an ohmmeter.
4. Measuring the resistance between the bearing pedestal and the bearing bedplate of an assembled machine with a digital multimeter setup as an ohmmeter.

In addition to short circuits and sustained overloads, in what other situation are fuses likely to blow?

1. low fuse holder clip to fuse contact resistance
2. low ambient temperatures
3. oversized fuses in terms of amp rating
4. loose fuse holder clips ✓

The lower water seal on a diesel engine wet cylinder liner must allow for liner axial movement. This seal is most commonly a __________.

1. neoprene O-ring ✓
2. flexible metallic seal ring
3. precision ground flange joint
4. soft copper gasket

Exhaust valve timing for the engine, shown in the illustration, is to be set at 106° after top dead center. To what position should the flywheel be rotated to set the exhaust valve timing on the No.11 cylinder? Illustration MO-0039

1. 61° ✓
2. 209°
3. 315°
4. 360°

During main engine performance testing it is noticed that the firing pressure of one cylinder is higher than the average, but cylinder compression pressure is normal. Which of the following would most likely be the cause?

1. Worn piston rings
2. Early fuel injection ✓
3. Late fuel injection
4. High engine load

One remedy for a high firing pressure, in addition to a high exhaust temperature in one cylinder of a diesel engine, is to __________.

1. retard fuel injector timing
2. adjust the fuel rack ✓
3. increase scavenge air pressure
4. reduce fuel booster pump pressure

Which statement about diesel engine combustion is true?

1. Maximum combustion pressure is reached before TDC.
2. Combustion does not begin until the piston starts down on the power stroke.
3. Turbulence in the cylinder causes a delay in ignition.
4. Maximum cylinder firing pressure is not developed until the piston passes TDC. ✓

Uneven bolt tightening during the installation of a fuel injection pump can result in __________.

1. improper pump-to-engine timing
2. binding of pump moving parts ✓
3. high torsional shock to fuel lines
4. ignition delay

Which of the following problems is the main source of fuel pump and injection system malfunctions?

1. Coated fuel lines
2. Excessive vibration
3. Air in the fuel system ✓
4. Improper lubrication

An engine is equipped with the overspeed trip similar to that shown in the illustration. The throw out weight is designed to run at 900 RPM and trip out at 10% overspeed. However, the overspeed trip is currently activating at 930 RPM. In order to correct this problem, __________. Illustration MO-0101

1. decrease compression on spring #12
2. install a larger throw out weight piece #10
3. increase compression on spring #12 ✓
4. change the angle of the operating face by machining piece #10

Using a sea anchor with the survival craft will __________.

1. reduce your drift rate ✓
2. keep the survival craft from turning over
3. aid in recovering the survival craft
4. increase your visibility

Reducing the free surfaces within a vessel, reduces the __________.

1. uncorrected height of the center of gravity
2. metacentric height
3. waterplane area
4. natural roll period ✓

According to the Pollution Prevention Regulations (33 CFR), no person may transfer oil to or from a vessel unless each person in charge has signed the __________.

1. Valve Inspection Record
2. Certificate of Inspection
3. Oil Record Book
4. Declaration of Inspection ✓

Packing extremely soft grease into a roller bearing will cause __________.

1. emulsification of the thickener additive
2. high temperatures to develop as result of churning ✓
3. excessive channeling of the grease
4. gelling of the base oil

Which term represents the ability of a speed control governor to maintain prime mover speed without hunting?

1. Stability ✓
2. Sensitivity
3. Promptness
4. Dead band

What do hydraulically, servo-operated, automatic, change over valves, used in a two-ram hydraulic steering gear accomplish?

1. Prevent either main pump from being hydraulically motored when idle by cross pressure flow ✓
2. Prevent both units from operating simultaneously which could result in doubling the flow of oil and pressure leading to over pressurization of the system
3. Allow an alternate main pump to start in the fully loaded condition thus developing immediate full torque
4. Allows both units to operate simultaneously which result in doubling the flow of oil and speed of the steering gear

For a process control system using the proportional control mode, what statement is true?

1. Increasing the proportional gain within limits will decrease the steady-state error, but too much gain may cause instability. ✓
2. Increasing the proportional gain without limit will always increase the steady-state error.
3. Decreasing the proportional gain within limits will decrease the steady-state error, but too little gain may cause instability.
4. Increasing the proportional gain without limit will always decrease the steady-state error.

Once a fire and emergency drill is conducted, the drill ideally should be critiqued. What of the following statements best describes the essential characteristics of an effective critique?

1. Determining what went right and what went wrong, and identifying areas where change and improvements are necessary to the fire control plan or to the general arrangement plan.
2. Determining what went wrong only and focusing only on the negative in an attempt to extinguish ineffective or counter-productive behavior that worked against team functionality.
3. Determining what went right only and focusing only on the positive to reinforce effective and productive behavior that promoted team functionality.
4. Determining what went right and what went wrong, and identifying areas where change and improvements are necessary to the pre-fire plan or to the emergency skills training plan. ✓

What maintenance management scheme does trend analysis support?

1. Preventive maintenance management.
2. Predictive maintenance management. ✓
3. Run-to-failure maintenance management.
4. Planned maintenance management.

When observing the candidate's performance while conducting an assessment, what is the appropriate response from the assessor when a safety condition is being violated?

1. The assessor should offer unsolicited assistance in order to correct the unsafe condition.
2. The assessor should ask leading questions in an attempt to correct the unsafe condition.
3. The assessment must be terminated whenever safety conditions are being violated. ✓
4. For the purposes of assessment, the safety condition violation should be ignored.

What is one major advantage of a diesel-electric propulsion plant?

1. low cost and weight
2. lower fuel consumption
3. less maintenance
4. excellent maneuverability ✓