ISC, ISCe, QSC8.3, ISL, ISLe3, ISLe4 and QSL9 Engines – 005-010   Fuel Consumption

See the Fuel Consumption Checklist sheets in Section TS.

NOTE: The most accurate method to check the fuel consumption is to weigh the fuel used. Use a scale capable of measuring within 0.045 kg [0.1 lb] to weigh the fuel tank. Use a remote mount tank with enough capacity to run 80 km [50 mi].

Fill the fuel tank. Weigh the tank with the fuel. The weight of Number 2 diesel fuel is nominally 0.844 kg per liter [7.03 pounds per gal].

Install the remote tank (1).

Install the return fuel line to the test tank or the results will not be accurate.

Measure the distance traveled with an accurate odometer. The odometer accuracy can be checked by using measured kilometers [miles].

After traveling the route, remove the tanks and weigh the fuel remaining. Compute the fuel used in liters [gal] as required.

Compute the kilometers per liter or miles per gallon:

• Miles (÷) Gallons (=) MPG
• Kilometers (÷) Liters (=) KPL

In addition to the measurement of the fuel used, the following factors provide points for running a test similar to the recognized Type II Society of Automotive Engineers Fuel Test.

These procedures are helpful to determine differences in fuel consumption between two vehicles under the same environmental, road, and test conditions.

Perform the test with the test vehicle and a control vehicle. The control vehicle compensates for changes in traffic conditions.

The vehicles must stay close together to experience the same varying traffic and weather conditions, but not so close as to affect each other’s driving or headwind.

The test course must be 65 to 80 km [40 to 50 mi] long.

The test route and truck weights must not change during the test.

All of the test results are based on comparing the fuel used by the test truck to the fuel used by the control truck.

Drive the truck on a warm-up test run. Drive enough tests to achieve:

• The difference in elapsed time between each test run can only be ±0.5 percent. This will be ±15 seconds on 80 km [50 mi] at 97 km/h [60 mph].

The fuel usage of the test truck between test drives must fall within a 2-percent range, e.g., 2.55 vs. 2.60 km/l [6.00 vs. 6.12 mpg].

The same range also applies between test drives of the control truck.

NOTE: The differences in traffic and driving practices can make the test drive fall out of the 2-percent range.

A minimum of three test drives that meet these conditions make a valid test. A single test drive is unreliable.

Use the same experienced drivers for all of the tests.

NOTE: The vehicle speeds must be representative of a typical operation.

During the test, record the following:

• Ambient temperature
• Humidity
• Barometric pressure
• Wind velocity
• Wind direction.

NOTE: Avoid testing under any extreme conditions.

See the Fuel Consumption Checklist sheets in Section TS.

The most accurate method to check the fuel consumption is to weigh the fuel used.

WARNING  Fuel is flammable. Keep all cigarettes, flames, pilot lights, arcing equipment, and switches out of the work area and areas sharing ventilation to reduce the possibility of severe personal injury or death when working on the fuel system.

WARNING  Do not vent the fuel system on a hot engine; this can cause fuel to spill onto a hot exhaust manifold, which can cause a fire.

CAUTION  Use caution when disconnecting or removing fuel lines, replacing filters and priming the fuel system that fuel is not spilled or drained into the bilge area. Do not drop or throw filter elements into the bilge area. The fuel and fuel filters must be discarded in accordance with local environmental regulations.

Install a remote fuel tank (1) with enough capacity to run 1 hour.

Fill and weigh the fuel tank. The weight of Number 2 diesel fuel is nominally 0.844 kg per liter [7.03 lb per gallon].

NOTE: Use a scale capable of measuring within 0.045 kg [0.1 lb] to weigh the fuel tank.

Measure the time with a stopwatch.

After one hour of operation, weigh the fuel remaining, and compute the fuel used in liters [gallons] as required.

Compute the fuel consumption. Fuel used divided by the time equals the fuel consumption rate.