Engine conditioning apparatus and method

Abstract

Carbon deposits and related residue are removed from he internal surfaces of components of an internal combustion engine, particularly the fuel ports of a carbureted engine and the injection nozzles of a fuel injection engine, by circulating an engine conditioning fuel, through the engine utilizing a conditioning fuel pump, preferably driven by a fluid driven motor, for pumping conditioning fuel to the engine. The conditioning apparatus can detect leakage of the fuel pressure regulator of a fuel injected engine and can operate in both a one-line mode in which conditioning fuel flows one way from the apparatus to the engine and a two-line mode wherein the conditioning fuel is recirculated through the engine and conditioning apparatus. A preferred embodiment provides diagnostic features for checking the conditioning apparatus and certain engine components. These include a by-pass conduit between a flowmeter input side and an engine pressure regulator, check valve means to test opening pressure of the pressure regulator, a pressure control valve to restrict flow to reduce pressure below a set pressure regulator opening pressure to indicate leakage, a shut-off valve closable to provide indication of static system pressure produced by the engine fuel pump, and openable to provide indication of flow rate produced by the fuel pump.