SUMMER OVERHAUL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1937, Page 22

SUMMER OVERHAUL.

PREPARATORY CHECK. LONG-DISTANCE RUNS. SPECIAL CARE WITH OIL. Before the holidays commence, and tours or long-distance runs loom on the horizon, it is just aa well to work out a satisfactory plan for a "top" overhaul of a car and its gear in preparation; especially is this so as the car has probably been running a considerable time without attention. First, are the tyres in really good condition? If they are not, and the treads are badly worn, or a valve leaks, attend to the matter at once; it is no bad plan, also, to have a spare tube available, to make sure that the jack is in working order, even if the jack he of the permanent type, that you still have the wherewithal to move an outer cover from its rim, and a tyre pump that really operates. Even in these islands there are places where it is not over, easy even to get a tyre repaired; j hence the precautions. Have you a repair outfit ?

Next, the ear might deserve a set of new plugs, or, if that is too drastic, take out all those that have been used, dismantle them, clean the points, reset the clearances and replace terminals that have been lost, together with their spring washers. Incidentally, it is worth carrying a proper wire scratch brush for cleaning plugs on occasions. The contact points of the magneto or distributor might be cleaned and reset, which may mean buying a new spanner for the job, and tiren all the valve clearances can be checked; that means, sometimes, a new washer between the valve cover and the head, which also means a new spare washer, and brings up the point that it is wise to have available a new gasket. If valve springs are liable to break, get some spares, but be sure you also have the spanners requisite for changing a valve spring, as these, being seldom used, are often mislaid.

Exhaust gaskets are also useful property, it may be noted. Then there is the fuel system. The carburettor might be cleaned out thoroughly, as well as all the filters, especially the one in the electric fuel pump, if this component is fitted. It will make a great deal of difference if you can go round the engine and stop all leaks that can be | responsible for the consumption of much good oil. Check the Oil Level. Then the whole engine might be cleaned down thoroughly, for it probably deserves it. Next, check the oil level in the gear box and axle, using, by the way, the correct oil, and not just any oil, for replenishing. Thi3 means, usually, taking up the floorboards. Use that -opportunity to get at oil nipples that have been neglected and minor bearings that have received no oil for many months. If possible, clean the whole chassis up a bit; it will be worth while. It stands to reason that it is worth checking over the brakes and having them relined if there is any doubt, for nothing is more inconvenient than to find that the linings have reached the end of their life when you are far from home. Finally, go round the entire chassis with an oil gun, a tin of petrol, and some rag, first cleaning up parts, then oiling them, not forgetting that the steering gear box may to be replenished with extra heavy oil, that the water pump may need its own type of grease, and that distributors usually have a screw-down greaser somewhere out of sight. Throttle connections usually can do with a drop of oil as well. That done, you can turn attention to the lamps. If you are wise you will carry a spare bulb for every type of lamp in a special container, ascertaining also that the lamps can be opened and that their securing screws have not rusted up, and, incidentally, that you know how to replace a light behind the instrument panel. Now is the time to fit a new windscreen wiper blade if the old one does not wipe the glass satisfactorily. See that all the wheels will come off their hubs; it has been known for one to refuse to do so after a considerable time. Finally go over the tool kit, replace anything that is broken, defective, or missing, and, if the tour be a long one, add the special spanners that usually are kept at home in the garage.