MOTOR NOTES.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 10, 1 August 1907, Page 362

MOTOR NOTES.

By " Accumulator."

Sooty Cylinder. It is a very important item in the case of the engine to mitigate the constantly recurring troubles arising from sooty deposits in the cylinder. This accumulation is due to a variety of causes — too much oil in cylinder — bad quality oil — faulty mixture and combustion — and also road dust. It is advisable from time to time to inject a little kerosene into the cylinders — it is no good doing this on starting out for a run as the kerosene is immediately expelled with the exhaust gases — rather do it on stalling the car at the end of a run. I saw a good plan suggested in a Home contemporary — it was to fit a small cup to the injection pipe providing it with a tap — then just before stopping the engine fill the cup and turn the tap on — then almost immediatelly switch off — the kerosene is therefore sucked in and covers theTwalls of the cylinder.

Road Dirt. It is not properly realised what a large amount of road dirt is sucked through the carburetter into the cylinders of a ear — but a moment's thought will make it plain that this dust and dirt must play an important part in sooting up the cylinders. This condition of affairs may to a very small extent be improved by a wire gauze baffle — though I think that some experiments with say sponge or cotton wool as a filter would produce good results — Have any of our readers investigated in this direction ?

Light Motor Cycles. It is wonderful the way in which the light motor cycle has taken on all over the world. We may expect to see in the future a great advance in this direction, and many more makes on the lines of the Mota-Sacoche machine will place this form of locomotion within the reach of all ; the great economy of the Mota-Sacoche is sufficient guarantee of this — since the lightness of the maintenance bill is what is required.

Mishap and Relief. Mr. Clelands " Stewart " car will soon be on the road again — it will be remembered that a few weeks ago he had the misfortune to be precipitated into the creek on the Ngahauranga Gorge while on the up grade. Just as he was taking a curve, the bank gave way, with the result that the car rolled over sideways, making two somersaults, and landing on its side 15 feet below. Marvellous to relate, no one was hurt, though everyone admitted to feeling very badly shaken. It was fortunate that Mr. Garnet Holmes, who was on his way up to Palmerston on. Messrs Holmes & Allens fine " Clement," arrived at the right moment,