Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 9

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

Worst Features The worst features of driving on main roads in Canterbury and Otago last week-end were bad overtaking and failure to use the rear vision mirror. Time after time I saw drivers overtake in the face of oncoming traffic or approaching a hill or bend, and several times I saw cars pull out to overtake another when there was a third car already in the process of overtaking. I had this done to me several times, the drivers I was passing pulling out in spite of warning toots on the horn. They did not think of other traffic: they just pulled over. Not Paid For Another common fault was young men trying to drive with their girl-friend sitting on their lap—and weaving all over the road in consequence. One day I was coming up behind a car in which this was happening, when a friend commented: “There seem to be a lot of cars about that people haven’t paid for yet.” I asked him what he meant. “Well,” he said indicating the car in front, “look at them. They’ve been able to afford only half the front seat!” Water With It It pays to make sure your petrol cans are clean. A friend’s car spluttered to a halt, and when we went to render assistance we found water in the petrol. About 200 yards down the road petrol had been added from a can in the boot, and the can had water in it when it was filled, possibly because of condensation forming on its sides when it was empty. Cleaning Out There was only one thing to do: we drained the carburettor and fuel lines, and drained all the petrol out of the tank, refilling from another can. All was well for

about half a mile, then the car spluttered to • halt again. There was still some water in the tank, not enough to trickle out of the drain hole, but enough to stop the engine. Much later we eventually brought about a complete cure by draining the tank and lines again, running methylated spirits through the lines and carburettor, and swilling it through the tank. This will usually remove all the water, which mixes with the alcohol although it completely refuses to mix with petrol. Any alcohol left in the system will pass through the engine quite satisfactorily: we even had the engine running briefly on methylated spirit during the cleaning process. More Trouble But our troubles were not yet over, for the car still showed symptoms of fuel starvation. This was eventually traced to a blockage in the petrol tank outlet, probably from dirt in the same can that contained the water, and all efforts with wire and a garage air-hose refused to budge it We eventually got the car running by blocking the tank outlet and taking a plastic hose from the fuel line, under the rear bumper, and through a rubber fuel tank cap into the tank. Secret Weapon I later drove and rode in the car when we brought it home from Otago to Christchurch, and the reactions of other drivers were most amusing. Many seemed to think the mysterious pipe coming from the bumper to the tank must be some sort of secret weapon, and would come close up behind to have a better look. However, the repair worked, and the car reached Christchurch without missing a beat. But as I said before —it pays to make sure your petrol cans are clean! Quote of the Week "The trouble is that today’s drivers are driving tomorrow’s cars on yesterday's roads.” —A British local body representative commenting on road accidents.