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All sliding parts can become a hotspot whenever there is insufficient lubrication to reduce friction, probably during starting of engine or any abnormal interruption in force lubrication oil system.
Next, use of fuel oil in engine. Dripping fuel injectors will result in incomplete combustion of fuel above piston top. If dripping is serious, liquid fuel can find their way through piston rings aided by high pressure of combustion process to eventually find its way into crankcase. For trunk type engines, this is a direct path to crankcase. It can become a source of low flash point fuel when mixed with lubricating oil!
For dripping fuel injectors, it is common to find unburnt carbon that will cause piston rings to stick within their grooves, thus destroying sealing function of piston rings. This will not only cause fuel to drip through, but can also cause fire from combustion space to blow past through gaps between piston rings and cylinder bore. This can be a source of heat!
There are other conditions favorable to cause an explosion, for example quality of oil and effects of oxidation after a long period of use, generation of oil mist due to agitation of oil spray, property of oil, etc.
It is impossible to guarantee that any engine will operate for whole of its life without, somewhere, at some time, a hot spot appearing. Therefore it is essential that should a hot spot occur and if it goes undetected, an explosion will not result.
That could be subject of another article... Meanwhile procuring hard-to-find tools is just as important for making engine adjustments.
Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities, Construction has given the author material for writing e-books and articles related to engineering, and management. Subscribe to facworld ezine More information at Marine Engineer and M & E Engineer