Cylinder Heads
Introduction Indeed, when the term “machine” is mentioned different types of machines may come to people’s minds. However for a seafarer when the term “machine” is mentioned it is highly likely that they will think of a diesel engine. In today’s diesel engines the component that serves as the cylinder’s cover and carries the valves and the seats on which these valves operate is called the “cylinder head”. It can also be referred to as the “cylinder cover” or simply “cover”. The cylinder head is located at the top of the cylinder in diesel engines. It can be considered as the upper part of the combustion chamber where the piston compresses the air. This is also the area where the issue of “head gasket failure” commonly occurs which is often heard by car owners and those familiar with the industry. The head gasket is located beneath the cylinder head and it can burn out or fail when it reaches the end of its lifespan or is exposed to temperatures higher than its designed operating temp