“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 842, 10 December 1929, Page 6

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

THE “Motordom” section of The Sun includes in its service to readers a Queries and Answers Department, the object of which is to give accurate information regarding mechanical and touring subjects. Whatever the particular puzzle may be in either diagnosing irritating troubles or motoring information of any kind, “Headlight" will endeavour to help, or refer the point to men who are recognised automobile experts in their respective lines. All communications must be accompanied by the inquirer’s name and address (not for publication), and sent to TUB SUN “Service Station , Motordom” THE SUN, Auckland. Answers will appear weekly in this column.

“Voltex.”—l would be obliged for the following information. I have a threeseater Calcott, and have broken two rear axles in less than a month. Is this a common complaint, and is there any particular cause? Broken rear axles is a fairly common complaint with a very old English car, but one wolild require to have more detailed information about the circumstances of the break before giving an accurate reply. F.J.N, —I have a 1924 Buick and would be pleased if you could help me. (1) The near rear wheel is constantly leaking oil through the brake-lining and the brake drum. I have fitted a new felt washer and am keeping the oil level right. The car has done over 30,000 miles. (2) From 25 to 30 miles an hour the vibration of the engine seems excessive, and noisy if the accelerator is not released a little. (1) Insert a fairly thin washer of chrome leather between the end of the roller or ball-bearing and the felt washer. If the felt washer is then a little too thick, reduce it. (2) Seems to me that the big ends want taking up. C.M.S. —My Overland has lately developed a marked click which doesn’t seem to affect the running, but annoys me. I think it comes from the oil line. Too high an oil pressure will be responsible for a click in the oil pipe but the click is really caused by the adjustable oil by-pass valve. If the oil pressure is adjusted to its normal

pressure and the click still occurs, a small groove filed round the by-pass valve in line with the two small holes, will supply a cushion of oil under the seat and stop this click. O.J. —My Chevrolet, 1927 model, still goes pretty -well, but seems to miss a lot at high speeds. I have experimented a bit and am sure it is only at high speeds that it misses. What do you think the trouble is. The head should be removed to ascertain if there is a heavy deposit of carbon, which should be cleaned, as it it quite likely that pre-ignition is one of the causes of the trouble. At the same time, however, the valves should be checked to see if they require grinding in again. The coil and distributor should be checked to see that they are functioning properly; also, the gap in the spark plugs should be checked to see that it is no more than .025 of an inch. It is quite possible, also, that this engine may be starving for petrol if the trouble only commences at high speeds, and the strainer on the bottom of the carburettor should be checked to see that it is perfectly clean; also, the vacuum tank and petrol lines should be thoroughly cleaned out. M.W. —Do you know any way to clean a radiator that is very dirty with rust and grease. Changing the water is no good. A homely tip is to put in a teaspoonful of ordinary household whiting. This will reduce the rust to metallic iron and decompose any mineral grease. Leave for a while, then with the engine running drain out and refill.