THE RADIATOR SHUTTER

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 13 September 1930, Page 13

THE RADIATOR SHUTTER

INCORRECT ADJUSTMENT DANGEROUS.

The automatic shutter of a radiator should open at the proper temperature to protect not only the radiator, but the engine .as well. Normally this will be anywhere from 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If the shutter opens too soon, the engine will not warm up as if should, and crankcase dilution will be increased. The choke will have to be used longer than it should be, and quantities of raw gasoline will be drawn in, some of which will find its way down into the lubricating oil. The oxer-rich mixture will also contribute to carcon formation.

Worse, however, is the shutter that opens too late. Tests have disclosed shutters that do not open until the temperature is from 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not difficult to imagine the bad results that may occur in such a case if the atmospheric temperature is zero .or less. The shutters open and the .fan draws in an icy blast against the heater radiator and cylinder blocks. The sudden contraction of the metal may cause damage thy, is costly to repair. /Manually controlled shutters should, like' the automatic ones, be opened when the temperature indicator shows not over 140 to 150 degrees.