AUTO SUGGESTIONS.

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 9

AUTO SUGGESTIONS.

Packings. Like many other parts, the useful life of packings is limited. A petrol leak, for instance, will frequently persist despite thorough tightening of unions and adapters. Invariably a new red fibre washer will remedy the trouble. Spark plug gaskets in timo begin to leak and oil will escape however tight the plugs are screwed in. Here, again, a new copper and asbestos washer will eliminate the oil leakage. Carburettor Float.

Little trouble is experienced with the float mechanism of modern carburettors. Should flooding occur, a particle of grit or hair may be lodged on the valve seating. Sometimes tapping the carburettor gently with a wood block or hammer handlo will fix matters. A leaking float becomes heavy and causes flooding. In such a case a new float or very careful repair is called for. An excessively largo fuel pump delivery orifice wa3 responsible for flooding in the case of a well-known ear until the fault was discovered and rectified. When replacing the float look carefully for the word “top,” which is sometimes shown. If inverted, the fuel level and mixture may be adversely affected. Water Impeller. A largo percentage of modern engines have a water impeller at . the rear of the fan spindle. To prevent leakage a special high b Ting point grease, or a graphite grease, should bo exclusively employed. There is, in all types, an adjusting nut, or gland nut, which is turned in the direction of normal spindle rotation by means of a special spanner or a C spanner to tighten, another method of preventing leakage. Do not over-tighten, but tu.a just sufficiently to stop the leakage. After ten to twenty thousand miles of service the adjustment will bu exhausted, and tho servico station will repack the gland for a few shillings. Ventilation.

Kot every owner takes full advantage of the no-draught ventilation system of his sedan. Modern systems utilise the air current created by the forward movement of the car. Slight opening of tho swinging front half windows induces a partial vacuum, which expels stale air and prevents screen fogging on cold days. Turn the ventilator completely round, and a direct draught is scooped into the car for hot weather cooling. Tho ventilating system should be closed when driving over particularly dusty roads or through a dust storm. Electric Screonwipers.

Electric screeiiwipers are being .standardised on more and moro new cars. It is most important to refrain from moving the blade by hand, since by so doing the mechanism linkage, tr drive gears, will bo definitely damaged. Should the blades or linkage jamb tr bind, switch the current off to prevent the burning out of tho small motor armature and field windings.

Taper and Key. Several, parts of an automobile are' fitted with a taper and key, tho most common application being the rear axle shafts in their hubs. I’inion ends carry universal joints on a taper; in older cars the pinion was attached to the propeller shaft in this way. Steering arms, fan spindles, steering drop arms and ball bolts, magneto couplings, and cotter pins are applications which come to mind. There is no tendency for the taper and key to lose ground, the only objection being that looseness sets up unless regular tightening is given, Looseness results in crystallisation and failure of steel or forged parts, pronounced backlash, loss of contr l, and noise. Keys will wear rapidly and breakage of keyways is not infrequent. ,

Removing Riston Rings. Removal of piston rings without distortion or breakage is a difficult matter unless caro and patience are exercised . A clever tool in tho form of an expander is used at service stations, b~t the job may be done in its absence by inserting three or four pieces of hacksaw blade (with tho teeth ground of) equidistantly around tlie ring. They permit the rings to slide off with perfect safety.