COMMON FAULTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19292, 3 April 1926, Page 12 (Supplement)

COMMON FAULTS.

restoring engine power. 1 After a strenuous summer tcur the cai may', show small faults in performance duo to certain derangement of adjustments. The diagnosing of many troubles does not present much difficulty to the experienced owner-driver, and many repairs can be effected without resorting to the service station. Following are common. causes of loss of power with suggestions for restoring the efficiency of the car and ensuring normal functioning of the usual sources of trouble: — Mixture Weak or Rich.—Loss of power will occur with a mixture too weak or too rich. The loss may be duo to wrong carburetter adjustment. A rich mixture might lie caused by a sticking needle valve mechanism, a gasoline-logged float, an auxiliary air valvo sticking closed, or suction of raw gasoline into the intake manifold via a leaky primer, defective vacuum tank, or choke mechanism which stays on when dash adjustment is off. A "weak mixture may bo due to dirt in the carburetter or fuel lines, partial clogging of air vent in gasoline filler cap, sticking float mechanism, air valvo sticking open, leak in pipo running from vacuum tank to intake manifold, defect within vacuum tank, leak in pipe running from vacuum tank to rear tank, air leaks into"intake manifold, water in the gasoline or a poor grade of gasoline. Spark Retarded or Improperly Timed.— With spark retarded see that breaker points opon dead centre or when any exhaust- valve closes. See that advance mechanism works properly. If ignition system is provided with automatic advanco weights seo that they are in working order and not sticking or broken. Seo that breaker points are not too close together. The gap should bo about l-64in. on most cars, If breaker points are rough smooth them carefully on an oilstone, afterwards wiping off tho oil. Check valvo timing afceording to marks on flywheel. Misfiring and Damp Wires.—Wet high tension wires is not a common trouble, and when it does occur it usually causes missing or stalling. If wires are wot remove them, .and dry them in an oven. Clu|c}l" Slipping.—lf engine runs away from car when throttle is opened quickly, wash- clutch in kerosene if it has dry plates, and dust fuller's earth on dutch facing if it is a cone time. If trouble continues, adjust clutch or reface as required. Carbon in Cylinders.—Carbon deposit producing the familiar carbon knock is a common cause of loss of power, the heavier the knocking the greater tho loss. The remedy is the removal of the carbon. Clogged "Muffler.—lf tho exhaust from the muffler seems weak, disconnect the muffler, and if the power is then normal clean muffler and also exhaust pipe if necessary. Brakes Dragging.—See that the hand brake is not on part way. If brakes are off, but drums are hot, reduce brake adjustment/ Oil Supply Low.—Examine oil level gauge and add oil if necessary. If oil has not been changed recently, draw off old oil and fill with fresh oil. Lubrication System Defective.—lf oil pressure gauge shows low pressure with plenty of oil in the reservior have lubri cation system cleaned. If no oil pressure is noted do not run engine until defect is repaired. However, if engine must be run, fill it with excess oil until it smokes slightly. Add oil every five miles until engine smokes. Cooling Defective.—lf radiator is steaming add water very slowly after engine has been allowed to cool for a few minutes. See that fan belt is tight, radiator clean inside and out, and stop any leakage noted. Valve Leakage.—Test compression by cranking engine by hand and grind valves of any cylinders are weak. Weak compression may also be due to scoured cylinders and leaky pistons and the remedy is then a matter for the expert. If oil consumption is excessive, the pistons should be suspected as the causo of weak compression before the valves. MOTOR TRADE ITEMS. There were 100,000 Overland Fours produced in 1925. The Goodyear Tyra Company has just produced its seventy-five millionth tyre. , Chrysler'production is over 750 cars a day. About two-thirds are four-cylinder models. Tho Champion Spark Plug Company produced 40,000,000 plugs in 1925. The capacity of the plant is now 75,000,000 a year. . The production of English Morris cars in 1925 Was 48,712. In 1919 the output was only 357 cars. The factory has now n capacity of 1500 cars a week. A new British car, the Seaton-Petter, has made its appearance overseas. It sells in England for £l5O and seats five comfortably. The rating is 10-18 h.p., and it is claimed that decarbonising is necessary every 15,0p0 miles only. A thermostat for the control of the radiator temperature, which can be fitted to any car with pump circulation and a radiator hose of l|in. or l£in. diameter, is being sold in Britain for £1 10s. The thermostat has been previously regarded as a fitting exclusive to certain cars and a very expensive extra. A device for automatically directing the beam of the spotlight will shortly be on the Auckland market. It consists of a swivel attachment, which is fixed near the dumb iron. A connecting link causes it to move with the front wheels. Any type /if spotlight can bo mounted on the derice. '