SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Determine causes of engine failure 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244123  Determine causes of engine failure 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Vehicle Maintenance 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for people in the automotive engineering industry who are expected to identify and repair faults and failures on an engine.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of principles of engine diagnostics and procedures.
  • Diagnose engine failures.
  • Determine causes of component failures.
  • Conduct post operation functions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • The ability to check a four stroke engine for condition using hand held equipment.
  • The ability to diagnose and remedy engine malfunctions.
  • The ability to demonstrate knowledge of internal combustion engines.
  • The ability to use automotive engineering tools and equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Reference to suitable tools and equipment means industry approved tools and equipment that are recognised within the industry as being the most suited to complete the task to a professional and competent manner with due regard to safe working practices.
  • The practical assessment evidence must be obtained from commercial jobs in the workplace under normal workplace conditions.
  • The engine may be on a test bench or in a vehicle, depending on the workplace requirements.
  • Engines include multi cylinder 2 and 4 stroke diesel and petrol engines.

    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of principles of engine diagnostics and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Methods of diagnosing terminal faults and failures are identified in terms of industry practices. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Engine fluid analysis, electronic methods, mechanical methods.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Diagnostic instrumentation is identified for specific applications in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Common engine failures and their effect on other engine components are identified in terms of potential damage and costs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Actions to minimise damage in the event of a failure are identified in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Diagnose engine failures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safe working practices are observed throughout the task. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal safety; safety of others; equipment, vehicle, and machine safety.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The symptoms of the problem stated are confirmed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Customer's information, manufacturer information, testing the engine.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Suitable tools and test equipment are selected and used to enable failures to be diagnosed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The conditions under which the engine was performing at the time of the failure are determined through analysis of the failed components and witness accounts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Evidence collected is recorded and stored in accordance with workplace requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Failed components are diagnosed in terms of primary or secondary failure. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine causes of component failure. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Overheating, poor lubrication, material fatigue, over revving, inappropriate settings and clearances, incorrect fuel type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safe working practices are observed throughout the task. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal safety, safety of others, equipment, vehicle, and machine safety.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information relating to the cause of the failure is identified and grouped according to the level of contribution to the failure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Possible scenarios leading to the component failure are identified from the available data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The possible scenarios are tested in terms of the sequence of events leading to the failure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The most probable sequence of events is identified from the physical evidence, the available data and the testing of the alternatives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Factors that contributed to the failure are identified from the physical evidence, the available data and the most probable sequence of events. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The root cause of the failure is identified through analysis of all the contributing factors. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Conduct post operation functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The work area is left clean and tidy in accordance with workplace requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tools and equipment are cleaned and stored in accordance with workplace requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All evidence relating to the failure is identified and documented in a clear and concise report. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Techniques used to analyse the failure are recorded and reported to relevant personnel in accordance with workplace requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The evaluation of alternative scenarios and the reasons why these scenarios were rejected is recorded in a logical and sequential manner. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The final findings concerning the root cause of the incident is summarised and presented in a concise report detailing all criteria in accordance with workplace requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Recommendations are made to minimise reoccurrence of similar failures in additional engines. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Workplace procedures.
  • Safe working practices.
  • The use and application of tools.
  • How to locate manufacturer specifications in a workshop manual.
  • Common causes of engine failures.
  • Failure investigation.
  • Diagnostic procedures.
  • The use and application of diagnostic instruments and equipment.
  • Report writing. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:

    Terms used in this unit standard are generic to the automotive engineering industry in South Africa. In particular:
  • Manufacturer information includes workshop manuals, bulletins in printed and electronic formats.

    Notes To Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

    The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:
  • The assessment must take place in a fully equipped workshop where all the tools and equipment required for the task are available.
  • The engine failure could be caused by numerous factors. At least three different causes of engine failure need to be assessed.
  • Assessment must be conducted against at least one diesel and one petrol engine. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  78525   Further Education and Training Certificate: Automotive Repair and Maintenance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  58539   Further Education and Training Certificate: Automotive Repair and Maintenance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2009-02-18  Was MERSETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.