MOTORDOM

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 180, 28 April 1939, Page 13

MOTORDOM

by

Chassis

NEGLECT AS THE FORERUNNER OF TROUBLE

Attention To Car Details Essential

To Efficiency

Whereas most people, brought up in an atmosphere of domestic tidiness. immediately notice a neglected housc—the uncut t^SohlimiS garden, dirty windows, bleached paintwork tell then all-too oin ions fale—when it comes to motor-ears, their perception of mechanical mifare is not nearly so keen, and signs of neglect that should be actedl up n are often overlooked. As a result, the ear may suTe in sik nee till some discord at last gives voice, or the crisis of a sudden failure breakdown—admits of no further disregard.

We are now facing the prospect of colder weather, and the demands which winter will make on wear and tear. As well as giving carefully the normal routine attention to the car, the owner should be alert for any signs of neglect which call for additional treatment. Now is the time to detect incipient trouble. Attention is drawn to a few instances of neglect arid its results. Of these, the battery provides a good example. The only regular attention required by this unit is to top-up the cells with distilled water, to maintain the level of the electrolyte just up to the top of the separators which can be seen when the filler for vent) plug is removed. But if this attention is fulfilled, and yet the battery top is left dirty or the terminals and other fitments are left in a corroded state, the efficiency of the batterv will suffer.

Again in respect of tyres, while the routine of checking and maintaining the pressures is vital, the need for other, if less regular, attention must not be overlooked. Flints embedded in the treads require to be removed before they cause more extensive damage under the stresses of usage. Any damage to the tyre walls that might develop into a serious defect (possibly, arising from, or aggravated by, under-inflation or overload) requires prompt repair. A pronounced tendency for one tyre to wear more quickly than the others or to wear more on one side of the tread than the other, pointing to incorrect fitting or misalignment of the wheels, should be investigated without delay. The engine, too, may develop symptoms of neglect irrespective of the normal maintenance requirements. Oil can be regularly added to the engine, and, internally, th© unit may be all in order. But if the valve cover or the sump is leaking, through the cork or rubber joint in the cover, or the washer for the sump not being properly in register, or because the securing studs are not tightened fully and evenly, oil will be wasted, and the engine exterior will collect dirt and grit which has thus more opportunity of reaching wearing surfaces. This question of engine cleanliness is'even more important in respect of the ignition system, for if

oil, dust and moisture get on the distributor its insulation may be impaned, and if it reaches the contact-breaker points, erratic firing may result. Oilsoaked ignition leads and oily plugs eventually cause the same trouble. The presence of rust stains at anj point on the engine indicates a leakage of cooling water, and it is advisable to inspect the hose connexion clips and tighten them if necessary. Should this fail to remedy the defect, a perished rubber hose connexion must be suspected, and should be renewed. The presence of a sooty deposit at the exhaust downpipe-to-manifold connexion, or at the manifold-to-cylinder block . joint may jioint to need for nut tightening or new joint washers. Seepage of petrol from the feed pipe, pump or carburettor, or a strong smell of petrol, indicates the need of spanners on the various unions (it is advisable to use two spanners to prevent unnecessary twisting and bending of the soft copper tubing). Should there be any leakage of petrol from the pump diaphragm, the six securing screws should be tightened, a procedure which should be repeated from time to time. Body rattles often disclose neglect, particularly on cars which are ageing. An occasional examination of points which are likely to be affected by constant jarring on the road is the attention called for. Such points, are bonnets, doors, windows, mudwings, and lamps. Annoying squeaks which may emanate from dry road springs or. door hinges will develop if lubricant is not applied to these points regularly. Neglect of washing the underside of the chassis (the front axle in particular), by means of a pressure water hose, will permit of the accumulation of mud, which affects the efficiency of. the brake linkage and causes choked nipples.. So we might go on listing the signs of neglect, from the “bloom” that develops on neglected paintwork to the rust stains, adjacent to unoiled door or bonnet Look “your car over intently, critically, and you will most likely find several such distress signals calling for your timely help—some of them so familiar that until now their significance has passed unheeded.