Chief Mechanic interview's questions and answers

Identify Models of Engines you have worked with? #........

● What are procedures of valve lash & fuel timing adjustment
for 3500 CAT engines?
# piston no.1 TDC compression stroke , insert the timing bolt then follow the table in
testing & adjusting manual to identify and mark valves and injectors to be adjusted in this
stroke.
After adjustment done, remove the timing bolt , turn the engine by turning tool in the
same standard rotation to get piston # 1 exhaust stroke and adjust all remaining valves
and injectors. Adjustment to be done by using CAT special tools.

● How do you identify piston no.1 in compression stroke? # both intake & exhaust valves
are closed.
● What is the standard rotation direction for the engine? # counterclockwise as viewed
from flywheel end.
● What are the setting values for valve lash? # 0.020 in for intake valves 0.040 in for
exhaust valves
● Identify the safety protection shutdown cases of 3500 Engine.
1. High coolant temperature.
2. low oil pressure.
3. Over speed.
4. High crankcase pressure.
● What is the function of vibration damper? It limits the torsional vibration of the
crankshaft.
● What is the function of aftercooler?
It increases the volumetric efficiency of the engine.
● How?
%y increasing the air density so that the air mass increases for the same volume.
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Main bearings clearance Eccentric bearings clearance Pinion shaft bearings clearance
Crossheads bearings clearance Crossheads clearance Ponyrods run out Ponyrods
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Air pumps 0000 psi Triplex pump 003000 psi.

Top drive (tds 11 mainlly)

1- What types you know ?

- NOV ( tds 9/11 sa, tds11 sh , ps-500 ), can rig , tesco).
2- What is the RLA function and how many ports in it then mention them?
- Achieve swivel hose function between fixed (td. Body manifold) and rotating part (drive
shaft).
- 10 ports ( 8 active , 2 spare) .
- IBOP closed, BOP opened, link tilt float, link tilt (M/H) “MOUSE HOLE’’, link tilt (D/D)
DERRICK DICK, clamp (piston), clamp (rod), and lifting port.
3- What’s lifting port function?
- It is oil path to hang the RLA and keep it off the load collar and avoid friction and
damage.
4- Mention the yearly inspection? 14 JOB.
- Major overhaul for RLA
- MPI for RLA housing, STEM shaft, positioner gear.
- Disassembly for the AC motors Blowers and inspect hydraulic brake calipers on 1500 psi
and friction pads condition and thickness at 0 .09’’
- Hydrostatic test on heat exchanger on 3000 psi, oil cooler (hydraulic oil ) 300 psi ( few
types).
- Visual check for encoder belt and adjust if required.
- Change hydraulic and gear oil and filters and oil samples analysis.
- MPI for AC – drilling motors hubs.
- Inspect hydraulic reservoir bladder (change /2 years).
- Inspect bail, bushings and pins.
- MPI on S-pipe and main shaft.
- Over haul for wash pipe (seal kit or complete kit) “/500 hrs water base mud “ and /300
hrs oil base mud “ …..Every 6 months…..
- Gears back lash (positioner and shot pin gear) 0.03’’-0.04’’
- Detect main shaft endplay to be from .001’’ -.002’’ if more reshimming order.
5- What about 5 years inspection?
- Yearly jobs
- MPI for (upper,lower IBOP , Main body,main body cover,split load collar,radial grooves
and stem)
6- What do you know about the accumulators?
- Counter balance system (CB) 900 PSI discharge ,728’’3 (vertical)
- System accumulator (SA) 800 PSI , 125’’3 (vertical )
- IBOP time delay accumulator (CV) 800 PSI , 30’’3 (horizontal)
7- Oil tanks capacities?
- 25 gallon (hydraulic)
- 15 gallon (gear)
8- Variable, fixed pumps AC- motors power?
- 10 HP, 1800 RPM
9- Top drive weight?
- 25,250 Ibs.
10- What is the different between counter balance and stand jump?
- Counter balance (CB) make reverse equilibrium by hanging the T.D weight off the bail
and hook. (JUST active only when bail start leave the hook) (DEFAULT ACTIVE)1600 psi
- Stand jump (SJ) active mainly during pipes breakout to carry top drive over to protect
thread damage. SJR(190 PSI) active = 1600+190=1790 psi
11- What is meaning of PH-50 pipe handler?
- 50,000 ft.ibs torque.
12- Gear reduction ratio, what is meaning?
- 10.5 (main shaft (1) rpm when AC- motor (10.5) rpm )
- Ac-motors rpm 1200, drilling speed 228 rpm = 2*1200/228=10.5
13- Hydraulic tank bladder pressure?
- Atmospheric pressure by breather to prevent air bubbles in oil and keep oil suction
priming with oil (atmospheric equalizing).
14- how to Inspect wash pipe alignment with top drive.

1. Remove the wash pipe assembly and replace the grease fitting.
2. Check the main shaft axial movement by applying an upward force to the main shaft
and measuring the amount of axial movement with a dial indicator.
3. If axial shaft movement is not .001 in. to .003 in., remove the bearing retainer and
adjust the number of shims under the bearing retainer as required allowing .001 in.
to .003 in. of axial shaft movement (end play) with the bearing retainer caps crews
tightened to the required Torque depending on the size of the cap screw.
15- How to Check for primary and secondary gear set backlash
Drain the gearbox oil Remove the access cover and the pump adapter plate to check
primary and secondary gear set backlash
Run a piece of solid wire solder through the primary and secondary gear meshes and
measure the thickness of the two flat spots made by the gear teeth surfaces with
a micrometer
If the primary gear mesh backlash exceeds .030 in. or the secondary gear mesh backlash
exceeds .040 in., excessive gear wear or bearing failure may be indicated
Note: Hydraulic circuit’s components functions should be aware?
1- Normally –open logic cartridge metering (in counter balance circuit)
2- Sjr : stand jump relief
3- PCC : pressure reducing valve
4- UV: UNLOADER valve
5- SV 1,2 : SINGLE AND DOUBLE Solenoid valve
6- PF,PV : FIXED pump port, variable pump port .
7- RV 1,2 : variable ,fixed pump relieve valve.
16- What are the main jobs you do can mention?
- Change bottom seal
- Change upper seal
- Change RLA on rig floor or in rig move
- Change upper,lower IBOP and saver sub .
- Check load collar
- Overhaul RLA
- Detect main shaft end play and order shims
- Change shot pin block
- Setting tilt link system (synchronized, mouse hole position, drill side position)
- Setting counter balance and stand jump
- Change hydraulic tank bladder
- Change disc brake pads
- Hydrostatic test on the heat exchanger.
-
Mud pump
1- Which pumps types you know?
- National 12P160,14P220,F600, Drillmec 12T600, EWECO , H-H and emsco
2- For which refer the national type 14P220 ?
- Refer to 14’’ stroke length and 2200 hp.
3- What is the 6 months service maintenance for 12T1600?
- Check the following clearances:

- Crosshead guide left 0.015" minimum 0.025" maximum.

- Crosshead guide center 0.015" minimum 0.025" maximum.
- Crosshead guide right 0.015" minimum 0.025" maximum.
- Crosshead bearing left MAX wear limit 0.015 inch order new when reach 0.012 inch
- Crosshead bearing center MAX wear limit 0.015 inch order new when reach 0.012 inch
- Crosshead bearing right MAX wear limit 0.015 inch order new when reach 0.012 inch
- Main bearing left MAX wear limit 0.012 inch order new when reach 0.008 inch
- Main bearing right MAX wear limit 0.012 inch order new when reach 0.008 inch
- Pinion shaft bearing left MAX wear limit 0.018 inch order new when reach 0.012 inch
- Pinion shaft bearing right MAX wear limit 0.018 inch order new when reach 0.012 inch
- Eccentric bearing left MAX wear limit 0.018 inch order new when reach 0.012 inch
- Eccentric bearing center MAX wear limit 0.018 inch order new when reach 0.012 inch
- Eccentric bearing right MAX wear limit 0.018 inch order new when reach 0.012 inch
- Check bull gear backlash 0.040 inch
Check foundation and / or hold-down bolts.
Check suction flange bolting.
Check pump coupling.
Remove power end rear cover drain oil clean sump and flush lubrication system
Change oil and change filter every 6 month/1000-hrs which ever come first. Start oil lube
pump check all oil lines are in good condition and are feeding oil to bearings.
Refit power end rear cover.
Change wiper seals
Visually inspect discharge module wear plate
Make MPIeck drive belts for wear condition and tension.
4- What is the function of pulsation dampener ?
- To remove the fluctuating in pump delivery in the time period between pumping strokes
5- Did we can use dry air as replacement of nitrogeen ?
- No we can’t becouse air (oxgen) not idle gas and can aid in raising the fire especially with
mud chemical if diaghram faluired
6- How can you describe the mud pump as a pump ?
- Positive displacement – reciprocating – triblex
- Convert rotation movement to angular then to linear movement
7- Why we can’t use gear pump instead of centrifugal as super charge pump?
- Becouse we need flow rate as main no pressure , only we need pressure from 50-70 psi
to open the suction valve and also in the time period of mud pump pressure build up we
have to avoid pressure build up between super charge delivery and closed suction valve s
( centrifugal pump will make flow internal leak).
8- Can you mention the bearing types in national-oilwell?
- Main (crank shaft)(2) ----tappered double row
- Pinion shaft (2)-------------spherical ,double row self aligninig
- Connecting rod(3)---------straight roller (cylinderical)
- Crosshead pin (3)----------needle,double row

Drawworks
1- Which types draw works types you know?
- National 110 UE,1320 UE
- DRILLMEC MAS7000,7500
- WIRTH
- T.T.S
2- MENTION the main jobs you faced?
- Measure hi-LO CLUTCHES, main BNG’S
- Change friction pads for cathead
- Complete overhaul for LOW ,HIGH clutches
- 6-mobths inspections (maintenance)
- Install overhauled or new auxiliary brake (wichita,elmagco) and set an aligning job
- Change friction pad sets for caliper disc brake
- Overhaul cathead makeup, break out
- Change brake band assembly for conventional brake system
- Change prime motor (D-C-A) and set aligning for the float shaft in NOV models
- Change kicker plates by welding
3- What is the braking methods common use in D.W’S?
- AS general classification
1-friction:
1.a. mechanical – brake band (NOV,DRILLMEC MAS7000
1.b. pneumatic - WICHITA (v236,v336,v436)
1.c. hydraulic - caliper disc brake (wirth,TTS,HH and drillmec MAS7500)
2- MAGNETIC
ECB : Eddy Current Brake (Baylor’s brake – ELMAGCO-
3-HYDROMATIC
Hydro-retarder technology
4-dynamic brake --- regenerative power
Opposing force coming from main electric motors
(Can’t use as parking brake)
4- Mention the parameters should be considered to achieve efficient lubrication?
- Right lubricant (oil, grease) ( designer instructions)
- Right place
- Right time period (as manual instruction time intervals)
5- Cooling procedure in the brakes various types?
- For friction types ----brake band (water flow from rotor seal to brake rim )
----wichita (water jacket plates- grooved –copper)
----caliper disc ( by air convection)
- For hydromatic ( water fluid flow )
- For magnetic ( by water reservoir in elmagco and flow rate)
- For dynamic ( by motors cooling fan and fins ( blower acts)
6- What is the different between the heat exchanger and radiator?
- Heat exchanger cooling the flow outlet from the pump
- Radiator cooling the flow which return from the system
7- What is the different between the service brake, parking brake?
- Service brake that using permanently during the drilling and most operation(it just
engaged when take the signal to engaged)
- Parking brake that always engaged but used only when we need to stopping permanently
and saving the load ( take signal to disengaged and release for restart continuing the
oprtation (NORMALLY ENGAGMENT)
8- MENTION THE TYPES OF CLUTCHS?
- Axial movement ----twin discs
- Radial movement—air flex ( cb,vc)
9- What is the different between air transmitting clutch and brake clutch?
- Air clutch brake -------- driven stopped
- Transmitting clutch -----driven run(rotate) with the drive
10- For twin disc clutch inspections? way?
- Check the sprocket BNG clearance
- Drain nipple movement indicate friction discs wear
WAY..
- FIX extension nipple for on the drain nipple
- Release the low clutch air (not engaged)
- Fix dial indicator on D.W body and dial knob to touch the extension nipple (zero reading
adjust)
- Mesh the low clutch and read the dial reading value
For new clutch discs dissplacement 3/16 ‘’
For max. Wear reading 9/16’’
Note: when reading is 7/16’’ ---- request overhaul for clutch
11- What the brake band brake adjusting steps?
- Three points
1- Equalizer beam (bar) gaps to be equal on both sides that is to guarantee equal grip on
both rims at the same time when brake is applied (1/4’’)
2- Driller’s lever to be at appropriate angle (35) /level (32’’) that is to attain adequate
manual control over brake mechanism
3- Clearance between rollers rests and brake bands
-set the travel of brake bands (on/off) the rim
-prevent excessive releasing movement and band deformation
12- What is different between EDC and ADS?
- EDS : ELCTRONIC DRILLING SYSTEM
Using wichita brake as service brake for drilling feeding by using input drilling parameters
during PLC control unit
· In modern D.W’S using Wichita service brake

- ADS : AUTOMATIC DRILLER SYSTEM

USE MECHANICAL CONTROL ON THE DRILLER brake band lever (for drilling feeding) and
take input parameters by drum rotational movement and weight indicator.
· In conventional D.W’S models (brake band specially)