Free Practice Questions for Maskinbefäl klass VIII

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Sample Maskinbefäl klass VIII Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Maskinbefäl klass VIII exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the basic difference between the operating cycles of a four-stroke (fyrtakt) and a two-stroke (tvåtakt) diesel engine?

A.A four-stroke has four injectors per cylinder; a two-stroke has two

B.A four-stroke uses spark ignition; a two-stroke uses compression ignition

C.A four-stroke cycle takes two crankshaft turns; a two-stroke cycle takes one

D.A four-stroke runs on petrol; a two-stroke runs on heavy fuel oil

Explanation: A four-stroke engine needs four piston strokes (intake, compression, power, exhaust), which is two crankshaft revolutions or 720°. A two-stroke engine completes the cycle in two strokes, one revolution, with scavenging taking place around bottom dead centre.

2What ignites the fuel in a diesel engine during normal running?

A.Heat from compressing the air ignites the injected fuel

B.A high-tension spark ignites the fuel-air mixture

C.Glow plugs keep igniting the fuel throughout normal running

D.Hot cooling water around the liner ignites the fuel

Explanation: In a diesel engine the air is compressed so strongly that its temperature rises well above the self-ignition temperature of the fuel. Finely atomised fuel injected near top dead centre ignites by itself (kompressionständning).

3What does an exhaust-driven turbocharger (överladdning) do for a marine diesel?

A.It filters soot from the exhaust before it leaves the vessel

B.It drives the alternator that charges the starting batteries

C.It cools the exhaust so the heat can warm the accommodation

D.It uses exhaust energy to push more air into the cylinders

Explanation: Exhaust gas drives a turbine on the same shaft as a compressor. The compressor forces a larger mass of air into the cylinders, so more fuel can be burned completely and the engine gives more power for its size.

4Why is a charge air cooler (laddluftkylare) fitted between the turbocharger and the inlet manifold?

A.To warm the air so the fuel ignites more easily

B.To cool the compressed air so it is denser and holds more oxygen

C.To condense unburned fuel out of the turbocharger outlet

D.To add a fine oil mist that lubricates the inlet valves

Explanation: Compression in the turbocharger heats the air and lowers its density. Cooling it again lets more air mass, and so more oxygen, into each cylinder, which raises power and lowers combustion and exhaust temperatures.

5What do the piston rings (kolvringar) do?

A.They join the connecting rod to the piston crown

B.They seal the combustion space and control oil on the liner

C.They turn the piston slightly on every stroke to even out wear

D.They carry the signal from the cylinder temperature sensor

Explanation: The compression rings seal combustion gas above the piston and help transfer heat to the liner, while the oil scraper ring controls the oil film on the liner wall so that oil is not burned.

6An engine shows heavy blow-by from the crankcase breather, high crankcase pressure and blue-grey smoke. What is the most likely cause?

A.A blocked raw-water strainer causing overheating

B.An over-tight alternator belt loading the crankshaft

C.Water-contaminated oil in the reverse gearbox

D.Worn or sticking piston rings or a worn liner

Explanation: Blow-by is combustion gas escaping past the rings into the crankcase. Worn, broken or sticking rings, or a worn liner, raise crankcase pressure and let oil reach the combustion space, giving blue-grey smoke.

7What can happen if the exhaust valve clearance (ventilspel) is set too small?

A.The valve may not seat when hot, so it leaks and burns

B.The valve opens later and closes earlier, with no harm

C.The injector delivers extra fuel to that cylinder

D.The valve rattles loudly but seals better when hot

Explanation: Valve clearance allows for thermal expansion. With too little clearance, the hot valve stem grows until the valve is held slightly open, so hot gas leaks past the seat, burning the valve and reducing compression.

8What is the purpose of the engine flywheel (svänghjul)?

A.It drives the cooling water pump through a belt

B.It separates water from the fuel by centrifugal force

C.It smooths crankshaft rotation and carries the starter ring gear

D.It absorbs the propeller thrust before it reaches the engine

Explanation: The heavy flywheel stores energy during power strokes and gives it back between them, keeping rotation smooth. Its toothed ring gear is where the starter pinion engages.

9Under load, the engine gives continuous dense black smoke. What does this usually indicate?

A.Coolant leaking into the combustion space past the head gasket

B.Lubricating oil burning after leaking past worn valve guides

C.Too much excess air, making the engine run lean and too cold

D.Too little air for the fuel, from overload or a dirty filter

Explanation: Black smoke is unburned carbon. There is not enough air for the fuel injected, typically from overloading (for example a fouled propeller), a choked air filter, a turbocharger fault or poor injectors.

10A fully warm engine keeps producing white smoke. What are the likely causes?

A.Lubricating oil leaking from the turbocharger and burning

B.Clean, efficient combustion at full engine load

C.Water in the cylinders or unburned fuel from misfiring

D.A biocide additive that was dosed into the fuel tank

Explanation: White smoke at operating temperature is steam from water entering the cylinders (cracked head, head gasket, water in fuel) or unburned fuel vapour from misfiring, low compression or late injection.

About the Maskinbefäl klass VIII Exam

Maskinbefälsexamen klass VIII is Sweden's entry-level engine qualification for deck crew who look after the main engine on vessels without engine-room manning. Transportstyrelsen requires at least one crew member with the examen on such vessels of 405–750 kW in inshore waters (inre fart) and on vessels up to 405 kW in närfart, with two in närfart above 405 kW. The training follows TSFS 2011:116 Bilaga 4 and ends in a written exam in Swedish. This independent bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation.

Exam sponsor: Transportstyrelsen (rules and certificates); exams by approved providers and sjöfartshögskola examiners. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Approved course under TSFS 2011:116 Bilaga 4: Del A marine engineering 54 lessons, Del B electrical engineering 14, Del C control engineering 6 and Del D operation and maintenance 6 (40-minute lessons), followed by a written exam.

Time Limit

Not set nationally (one approved provider: about 2 hours)

Passing Score

Not published

Exam / Certification Fees

Usually included in course prices of about SEK 5,900–6,000 (2026); SEK 1,000 to apply for the certificate

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

68%

Marine engineering (Del A)

Combustion engines, fuels and lubricants, propulsion, hydraulics and deck machinery, and cooling, lubricating oil, fuel, bilge and ballast, starting and steam systems.

17%

Electrical engineering (Del B)

Basic electrical theory, electrical hazards and common electrical machines and equipment.

Control engineering (Del C)

Remote monitoring and remote controls, alarms, sensors and their components.

Operation and maintenance (Del D)

Running machinery within the manufacturer's values, preventing breakdowns and fixing faults.

Preparing for the Maskinbefäl klass VIII Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Not published
Assessment: Approved course under TSFS 2011:116 Bilaga 4: Del A marine engineering 54 lessons, Del B electrical engineering 14, Del C control engineering 6 and Del D operation and maintenance 6 (40-minute lessons), followed by a written exam.
Time limit: Not set nationally (one approved provider: about 2 hours)
Exam / certification fees: Usually included in course prices of about SEK 5,900–6,000 (2026); SEK 1,000 to apply for the certificate Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Maskinbefäl klass VIII: Suggested Study Strategy

1Learn how the two-circuit cooling system works and the order of fault-finding when the temperature rises: sea cock, strainer, impeller, heat exchanger.

2Practise the Bilaga 4 calculations: compression ratio, power from torque and rpm, fuel consumption in litres, hydraulic force and battery capacity.

3Know what each smoke colour means: black for too little air, white for water or unburned fuel, blue for burning lubricating oil.

4Do not skip the steam-systems part of Bilaga 4: safety valves, gauge glasses, steam traps, water hammer and what to do if the water level disappears.

5Understand fail-safe alarm loops and why machinery alarms must be tested before leaving with an unmanned engine room.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Maskinbefälsexamen klass VIII required?

Transportstyrelsen's guidance applies to vessels with unmanned engine rooms where deck crew also look after the main engine. In inre fart, vessels of 405–750 kW need at least one crew member with the examen; in närfart this applies from 0 to 405 kW, and two are needed from 405 to 750 kW. Between 750 and 1,500 kW one person needs the Maskinbefäl klass VIII certificate and another the examen.

What is the difference between the examen and the certificate?

The examen is the course certificate from the approved training and has no expiry for service. The Maskinbefäl klass VIII certificate (behörighet) is issued by Transportstyrelsen to applicants aged 18 or over with the examen and qualifying engine-room service, and is valid for 5 years.

How is the exam taken, and is the pass mark published?

After the course you sit a written exam with the provider or an external examiner at a sjöfartshögskola. Transportstyrelsen does not publish a national item count, time limit or pass mark; one provider states its exam takes about 2 hours.

Is this practice bank the official exam?

No. It is independent practice by OpenExamPrep. The official exam is in Swedish; this bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the Bilaga 4 topics, not an official translation or format simulation.