Method and system for identifying abnormal valve performance in an internal combustion engine

A method for identifying abnormal valve performance of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

• determining that the internal combustion engine is operating below a predetermined engine load, below a predetermined engine speed, or both;
• receiving valve temperature signals from a plurality of temperature sensors, the valve temperature signals corresponding to respective valve temperatures;
• determining a representative temperature based on the valve temperatures;
• in response to determining that the internal combustion engine is operating below the predetermined engine load, below the predetermined engine speed, or both, identifying when one or more of the valve temperatures is greater than a threshold temperature above the representative temperature;
• and
• outputting an abnormal valve performance indication based on identifying the one or more valve temperatures is greater than the threshold temperature.

An abnormal exhaust valve performance detection system, comprising:

• an internal combustion engine comprising:
• a plurality of exhaust passages, each exhaust passage being connected to one or more exhaust valves of the internal combustion engine;
• a plurality of temperature sensors, each temperature sensor secured to a respective exhaust passage;
• and
• a control unit configured to:
• receive exhaust passage temperature signals from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, the exhaust passage temperature signals being indicative of respective exhaust passage temperatures;
• determine a representative temperature based on each of the exhaust passage temperatures;
• compare one or more of the exhaust passage temperatures to the representative temperature;
• identify a caution exhaust passage temperature, from one or more of the exhaust passage temperatures, that is greater than at least a threshold temperature above the representative temperature, based on the comparison;
• and
• output an abnormal exhaust valve performance indication based on identifying the caution exhaust passage temperature wherein the abnormal exhaust valve performance indication identifies an engine cylinder corresponding to the caution exhaust passage temperature.