MOTORS & MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2975, 12 January 1917, Page 9

MOTORS & MOTORING

fßv CmTon.l Filling up Radiators. A deal of unnecessary work m often performed in radiator filling by tho failuro to realiso that it is qmto as important for tho water level not to be too high as it is not to bo too low. A few simple experiments will soon satisfy oiio as to tho correct amount of water that is needed to givo tho best results, and it is then all caßj r job to make a gauge out of a piece of stick, which should havo a, oouplo of notches to indicate tho maximum and minimum levels which tho tests havo proved to bo satisfactory. If treated in this manner many cars which havo gained a f(uito undeserved reputation for "steaming'.' ivill bo proved to bo comparatively innocent. It is advisable, however, that all radiators should bo fitted with a substantial overflow pipe, reaching to within half an inch of the cap, so that, in exceptional circumstances, as in continuous hill-climbing, there may be a means of escape for n small quantity of overheated water. Another good plan to prevent leakage out of tho top of : the radiator is to tighten up tho filler cap on to a washer of thick riibbor or fibre. How to Glean "Blurred"' Lubricator Classes. On some light cars drip foed lubricators are used, and it neariy always happens that tho glasses of theso lubricators become' blurred with oil or the hot gasos from the engine passing /up to tho oil pipe and condensing on tho glass. To clean tho glass it is only necossary to wind a piece of. string two or three times round tho glass and to pull it backwards and forwards, when tho heat so generated will cause the oil to condenso on the glass and run. If a sharp bond downwards and upwards is made in tho oil pipo, tho trouble will not recur, as this bend forms a "trap," preventing any gas passing hack up tho pipo. Tho lubricator feed is generally adjusted by menus of a screw at tho top. The screw is locked by a lock nut, and' there is always a minimum position of the screw which gives tho smallest quantity of oil likely to bo required. Sometimes, as in cold weather, it is necessary that tliis amount be increased, and, in order to prevent cutting down the siipply too much aftor it lias onco been increased, it is a simple plan to remove tho screw and fit round it a small piece of tube and then replace it. This will allow tho screw to enter a certain distance, and if, we-ent tho titbo to tho right length after Komo experiments ivo shall' find that, wlion tho screw is screwed homo as far as tho short length of tube will permit, tho minimurn feed of oil will be , obtained. To increase the oil feed at any time, it is mqrely :iccossary s to givo tho scrow a coiuitor-clockwise turn or. two. Rust-corroded Nuts. Thqro' ai'o certain; portions of the chassis and engine exposed 1 to bad weather and possible water splnsbinge, where tho nuts and bolts aro subject to such unfair treatment that the threads often becomo rusted, and the ' removal of a nut under such conditions is no light task. The best treatment ,is, first, to soak tho nut as far as possiblo in pnrafDn, and, if it will not give way to the gentle persuasion of a 'spanner, try striking it a fow sharp blows on its end with a light hammer, with the idea of breaking tho adhesion. Then hold a drift (a diill chisel with tho cutting edgo rounded off) across tho chamfer of .the nut, and it will generally bo found that tho nut will bo started when a few smart blows are delivered with a hammer on tho head' of tho drift.-. If by any mischance so much power has been- employed -in attempting to frco a corroded nut on a stud that the end of tho stud has been broken off flush, tho best plan is to drill a small holo..i—. tho contro of- tho.-stud and drive tho. tapered square tang of a file into tho holo until a good grip can be obtained. Then,. by. using the leverage of a spanner, holding tho other end of tho file, tho stud can usually ho liu- ' screwed. If it is possible to heat the stud or bolt and nilt to a dull red heat, arid then quench them in,, cold water, there is generally no difficulty in loosening them. ■ Asa; final resource, when everything else has failed, ' the nut can bo-split, with a chisel, but extreme-care should be taken in doing this, or tho chisel is likely to clamago the surrounding .metal, particularlv if this should be aluminium, which is very easy to fracturo. To prevent the bolt being damaged, a bettor "job is made by. first : drilling a couple of small holes into the face of, the nut, which also considerably facilitates the splitting operation. Hfiro and There, There are somo owners of cars who caro but little about tho appearance of their vehicles, provided they will run well; others aro most careful about every detail, and to these latter-it may ,'bo of interest to mention that the rubber matting on tho running hoards .and footboards can be cleaned well and quickly with Hudson's soap and a scrubbing brush. It is' bost to clean off any oil/ spots first with petrol. •Generally the rubber matting will wear out close to tho pedals, and theso parts should be covered with a piece of thick leather. Tho leather can be attached first of' all to pieces of metal strip in which aro formed holds for screws. • It is a- good plan to carry a small sponge in one of the pockets of tho car to bo used in removing dirt from tho HSat chamber of the carburetter. If, is surprising what a quantity of dirt will be deposited in tho bottom of tho lloat chamber at tiie end of a few weeks if a filter is not fitted. Most motorists attiynpt to remove this matter with tho aid of a syriugo, with tho result that tho clean peli-ol is- drawn away and tho dirt remains aiid lias to bo got out with a rag. A much better plan is to stir up tho petrol, then push ■the spongo into tho chamber, when petrol and dirt will be removed together. Tho importance of pouring the patrol into tho fuel tank through a very lino gauzo sfcrninr-r is emphasised in the case of light cars, since Hie passages along which tho fuel has to flow, and the aperture- of the jet itself, are frequently of so small a bore that a tiny piece of foreign matter can easily chol;o them. Even wliou a fine strainer is used it is essential to inspect periodically iho /iltor, which should certainly be interposed in the petrol pipe botwoen Hie lank and tho float chamber of tlio carburettor, for, despite every effort on the. part of the owner, foreign iiiiittor docs succeed, in some mysterious way, in unlpriiiK the tank, and mi? loss it is hunted flown from time, to time it will ineritabl.y load lo shortage in the fuel supply. LigliliiiK-np time: To-day, 7.26 p.m. Ncxli Friday, 7.23 p.m.