MEK - Marine Engineering Knowledge Exit Exam Questions - Set 2

Question 1

Why is jacket cooling water kept treated with chemical inhibitors in marine diesel engines?

Accepted Answer

C: Prevent corrosion, cavitation, and scale formation inside cooling water passages

Answer

A: Lubricate water pump impellers

Answer

B: Reduce water density

Answer

D: Increase water boiling point to 300°C

Question 2

What is the function of the economizer fitted in a ship's main engine exhaust boiler system?

Accepted Answer

C: Generate auxiliary steam by absorbing waste heat from engine exhaust gases

Answer

A: Increase turbocharger speed

Answer

B: Burn HFO waste sludges

Answer

D: Cool exhaust gas before stack discharge

Question 3

What safety device prevents starting air from entering an engine cylinder when the piston is in motion?

Accepted Answer

C: Starting air distributor / control valve

Answer

A: Cylinder relief valve

Answer

B: Fuel injector needle

Answer

D: Exhaust valve rotator

Question 4

What is the function of an oily water separator (OWS) bilge alarm (15 ppm monitor)?

Accepted Answer

C: Continuously monitor discharge water purity and stop overboard valve if oil exceeds 15 ppm

Answer

A: Measure fuel viscosity

Answer

B: Check bilge well level

Answer

D: Pump bilge water out faster

Question 5

What causes thermal surging in a marine engine turbocharger?

Accepted Answer

D: Breakdown of smooth airflow through compressor due to sudden engine load changes or fouled grid

Answer

A: Excessive cooling water temperature

Answer

B: High fuel viscosity

Answer

C: Low engine lube oil pressure

Question 6

What is the main advantage of using a variable pitch propeller (CPP) on merchant vessels?

Accepted Answer

A: Allows continuous engine operation at optimal RPM while controlling vessel speed via blade pitch

Answer

B: Requires no hydraulic oil

Answer

C: Reduces hull resistance to zero

Answer

D: Eliminates need for stern tube bearings

Question 7

What type of valve is installed on cylinder heads to protect against excessive combustion pressure?

Accepted Answer

C: Cylinder Safety Relief Valve

Answer

A: Starting air valve

Answer

B: Fuel injection valve

Answer

D: Indicator cock

Question 8

What is the primary function of the stern tube seal assembly?

Accepted Answer

D: Prevent seawater from entering the engine room and prevent lube oil from leaking into sea

Answer

A: Measure shaft RPM

Answer

B: Cool the propeller shaft tail

Answer

C: Support propeller weight only

Question 9

Why must auxiliary diesel engines be warmed up before applying heavy electrical load?

Accepted Answer

B: To ensure uniform thermal expansion of engine components and proper lube oil circulation

Answer

A: To increase generator frequency to 100 Hz

Answer

C: To burn off carbon in exhaust pipe

Answer

D: To test overspeed governor

Question 10

What is the purpose of an air compressor intercooler?

Accepted Answer

C: Cool compressed air between stages to reduce volume, increase air density, and remove moisture

Answer

A: Increase air pressure directly

Answer

B: Lubricate compressor valves

Answer

D: Heat air before entering receiver

Question 11

What condition causes high exhaust gas temperature across all cylinders of a diesel engine?

Accepted Answer

B: Engine overload, fouled turbocharger compressor/turbine, or restricted air intake filter

Answer

A: High cooling water temperature

Answer

C: Excessive lube oil level

Answer

D: Low fuel temperature

Question 12

What is the function of a governor on a marine diesel engine?

Accepted Answer

D: Automatically adjust fuel rack position to maintain set engine speed under varying loads

Answer

A: Control cooling water valve

Answer

B: Regulate lube oil pressure

Answer

C: Start the engine on air

Question 13

What is the function of an indicator cock fitted on a engine cylinder head?

Accepted Answer

D: Allow attachment of engine indicator gear to measure cylinder pressure diagrams and blow out water

Answer

A: Vent air from cooling jacket

Answer

B: Sample exhaust gases

Answer

C: Inject fuel into cylinder

Question 14

What type of pump is self-priming and commonly used for positive displacement lube oil transfer?

Accepted Answer

C: Gear Pump or Screw Pump

Answer

A: Centrifugal Pump

Answer

B: Ejector Pump

Answer

D: Axial Flow Pump

Question 15

What is cavitation in a centrifugal pump and how does it affect performance?

Accepted Answer

D: Formation and collapse of vapor bubbles near impeller causing noise, vibration, and metal erosion

Answer

A: Overheating of electric motor bearings

Answer

B: High pressure at suction flange

Answer

C: Air trapped in discharge pipe

Question 16

What is the function of an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) on a marine alternator?

Accepted Answer

B: Maintain constant generator terminal voltage despite changes in electrical load

Answer

A: Control engine governor speed

Answer

C: Trip main circuit breaker

Answer

D: Synchronize frequency

Question 17

What safety precaution must be taken before opening an engine crankcase after a hot spot alarm?

Accepted Answer

D: Wait at least 30 minutes to allow hot spots to cool down before opening doors

Answer

A: Open doors immediately to vent smoke

Answer

B: Spray cold water inside crankcase

Answer

C: Start lube oil pump at max pressure

Question 18

What is the purpose of thermostatic control valves in engine cooling water systems?

Accepted Answer

C: Maintain constant engine cooling water temperature by modulating bypass flow to heat exchanger

Answer

A: Shut off water when engine stops

Answer

B: Increase pump discharge pressure

Answer

D: Filter dirt from fresh water

Question 19

What is the function of a emergency generator automatic main failure (AMF) panel?

Accepted Answer

D: Detect loss of main switchboard power and auto-start the emergency generator within 45 seconds

Answer

A: Supply power to main engine lube pump

Answer

B: Step down voltage from 440V to 220V

Answer

C: Charge radio batteries only

Question 20

STCW MEK Practice Question 330

Accepted Answer

C: Option A

Answer

A: Option C

Answer

B: Option D

Answer

D: Option B

Question 21

Which of this is not a moving part of a diesel engine

Accepted Answer

D: crankcase

Answer

A: piston

Answer

B: crankshaft

Answer

C: connecting rod

Question 22

Generator engine on board ship is started using

Accepted Answer

B: compressed air

Answer

A: hydraulic oil motors/pressure

Answer

C: air compressor

Answer

D: turbo generator

Question 23

Purpose of fresh water circulation through diesel engine cylinder is to

Accepted Answer

B: remove heat of combustion

Answer

A: prevent corrosion

Answer

C: clean exhaust gases

Answer

D: lubricate moving part

Question 24

Turning gear on main engine is provided for

Accepted Answer

B: turning the engine during overhaul

Answer

A: remove exhaus gases from cylinder

Answer

C: releasing parts if jammed

Answer

D: ensure turning of propeller

Question 25

Exhaust gas economiser produces

Accepted Answer

A: steam

Answer

B: fresh water

Answer

C: inert gas

Answer

D: electricity

Question 26

Turbo chargers on diesel engine

Accepted Answer

A: increases pressure of intake air

Answer

B: acts as fuel charger

Answer

C: increases RPM

Answer

D: decreases the pressure of intake air

Question 27

Exhaust gases from the main engine go to the atmosphere through

Accepted Answer

D: exhaust gas boiler

Answer

A: oil fired boiler

Answer

B: inert gasgenerator

Answer

C: exhaust fan

Question 28

Relief valves are provided on main engine cylinders for protection against high

Accepted Answer

B: pressure

Answer

A: level of water

Answer

C: exhaust temperature

Answer

D: speed

Question 29

Function of a cylinder head relief valve is to

Accepted Answer

D: release excessive pressure

Answer

A: reduce the speed of engine

Answer

B: prevent crankcase explosion

Answer

C: stop the engine

Question 30

Function of crankcase relief door is to

Accepted Answer

B: release pressure from crankcase

Answer

A: detect the mist inside the crankcase

Answer

C: stop the engine

Answer

D: reduce the speed of engine

Marine Engineering Knowledge (MEK) (Set 2)

Why is jacket cooling water kept treated with chemical inhibitors in marine diesel engines?

Questions in MEK Set 2

Question Discussion & Notes

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