Engine operation and testing using fully flexible valve and injection events

A system for performing a plurality of diagnostic testing modes on an engine having a plurality of cylinders by controlling, independently, a mode of operation for each of the cylinders, each cylinder including intake and exhaust valves and a fuel injector for injecting fuel into a corresponding cylinder, comprising:

• (1) means for cutting fuel to all but one cylinder;
• (2) means for monitoring the output of the engine;
• (3) means for performing said fuel cutting and monitoring for the remaining cylinders;
• and
• (4) means, coupled to said monitoring means, for averaging the power required to crank the engine by the cylinders during said monitoring steps to calculate engine friction.

A method for determining engine friction by averaging the power required by each cylinder to crank the engine, comprising the steps of:

• (a) switching a first cylinder into a load mode;
• (b) cutting fuel to the remaining cylinders;
• (c) monitoring an amount of power required to crank the engine;
• and
• (d) calculating engine friction using said monitored amount of power required to crank the engine.

A system for determining engine friction by averaging the power required by each cylinder to crank the engine, comprising:

• (a) means for switching a first cylinder into a load mode;
• (b) means for cutting fuel to the remaining cylinders;
• (c) means for monitoring an amount of power required to crank the engine;
• and
• (d) means, coupled to said monitoring means, for calculating engine friction using said monitored amount of power required to crank the engine.