THE OIL SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1936, Page 28

THE OIL SUPPLY

QUESTION OF THE LEVEL

"From; some overheard remarks, in 1 a conversation between two occupants of an adjoining teatable recently," states a writer in the "Cape Times," "the belief seems still to hold that reducing the oil level in an engine cuts down the feed to the bearings and pistons.

"This was the case in the old days before circulating systems were introduced, of course, but it does not apply to the modern engine.

"The supply of oil feed to the bearings and reaching the pistons and so forth is the same exactly when the level tops the maximum mark on the indicator as when the level; falls so ■low that the oil only just covers the pump.

"Equally, increasing the oil level above the maximum mark has no effect on the feed to the moving parts, unless, of course, the level, were increased so excessively that the cranks dipped into the main supply of oil.

"It will be seen that, within reason, the quantity of oil carried in the sump is ■ of no great consequence so far as overheating, seizures, run bearings, oiled plugs, and kindred lubrication troubles are concerned.

"There is- one' imoprtant point to be borne in mind, however, which is that the greater the quantity of oil in circulation the cooler the lubricant will keep, and thus the more satisfatcory will be the lubrication.

"Apparently" the trouble with one of the conversationists, referred to. was that his engine was inclined to oil its plugs, and, although he was keeping the oil well below the high-level mark, the.vicious habit contiijued. - .

"By reducing the oil level he was making matters worse, of course, because the smaller quantity of oil in circulation kept very hot and (in consequence) thin, and so was more inclined to work past the pistons than if there had been a large quantity of oil in circulation, keeping cool and retaining its body." ; .

■'.■■. A new road has just been built through British Guiana. It will make' the Kajetur- Falls accessible for the first time by 'car.

Detroit' and New-York have 110 white police cars equipped with powerful loud.speakers, whose sole job is to sit" and tell pedestrians how to walk, and reckless motor drivers how to drive. Most of their lectures are iat pedestrians for slow • crossing. •