FAA Powerplant Written Practice Test

What can cause a misaligned fuel nozzle in a turbine engine?

1. Fuel contamination

2. Incorrect installation or adjustment

3. Inadequate fuel supply

4. High operating temperatures

The correct answer is: Incorrect installation or adjustment

A misaligned fuel nozzle in a turbine engine is primarily caused by incorrect installation or adjustment. When a fuel nozzle is installed, it must be aligned precisely to ensure that fuel is sprayed effectively into the combustion chamber at the correct angle and pattern. If the nozzle is not installed according to the manufacturer's specifications or if adjustments during the installation process are not made correctly, it can lead to misalignment. This misalignment can disrupt the fuel distribution in the combustion chamber, potentially leading to inefficient combustion and reduced engine performance. Other factors such as fuel contamination, inadequate fuel supply, and high operating temperatures do not directly cause misalignment of fuel nozzles. Fuel contamination could lead to operational issues like clogging or inefficiency but not necessarily misalignment. An inadequate fuel supply may affect engine performance but is unrelated to the physical position of the nozzle. High operating temperatures could lead to thermal expansion issues or damage but, again, do not directly result in a misaligned fuel nozzle. Therefore, the precision in the installation and adjustment process is crucial to prevent misalignment.