CAR NOISES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 June 1928, Page 15

CAR NOISES.

DO NOT NEGLECT AN UNKNOWN SOUND. Many motor owners drive their cars hundreds of miles and yet cannot tell ho iv the vehicle is running. The maximum performance of the modern ar is generally far in excess of its every-day requirements. The owner, therefore, does not have the opportunity of testing and ascertaining for himself what his ear will do. Nebody knows the features and habits of a car 'better than the man who drives it. Two cars of the same size and make will each have different properties, and their performances will vary slightly. The old saying of “if running well lea»e well alone” is particularly sound advice when the engine or transmission are. not making strange noises or thumping. Do not pull your car to pieces unless .here is a reason to do so.

Learn, and become accustomed to, the regular and expected noises in the mechanical parts. The “click” of the valve tappets, the “hum” of the timing gears, the gentle “sucking” sound ol the carburettor, and the “sing” of bottom and second, gears. Immediately a strange noise becomes manifest, find out what it is, and c-or- • e-t it. Do not “take a risk” that it is of no importance. In many instances the biggest breakdowns, resulting in costly repairs, are heralded at first by a very quiet warning. It so happens.that a noise will sometimes develop very slowly. The ear of the driver will not notice it. As the noise grows the ear unconsciously registers the sound with the regular “hums” ancl “taps.” Consequently, the defect is overlooked.

To avoid this, when driving along, itemise each different sound, and try and trace the cause. If the origins are normal, there is nothing to worry about, hut if there is a “stranger” present, find out what it is. The surest way to incur big overhaul and breakdown costs is to neglect sounds which should not be. there.