MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 151, 21 March 1919, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

:u.v "Clutch.")

Cleaning Valve Stems. , A very simple way of cleaning valve stems which are under of harbouring carbon deposits in to inject a littlo keroseno in the air vaH'o of the carburettor while the engine is running. In this way a little of the keroseno liiuls its way/down tho valve stem, and softens and washes oh' the carbon. It is not a bad idea to do this nice a month or so. Keep Oil from Rubber Insulators. Rubber is ver.v quickly disintegrated by oil, and iit the samo timd it has a most unfortunate capillary nihility for tile oil. i For this reason it is ve'ry important lo keep oil. away from tho rubber insulators that are used in connection with tho cpnductors and wires of all tho circuits of' the magneto. Although oil is not a conductor of electricity, it ruins .the insulation, and the result is the breakdown of the insulation and short circuits. Here and There. Sometimes it is necessary to use temporarily or permanently u set of dry cells in a compartment where a storage battery was formerly housed. •In this case tho compartment should be carefully cleaned to remove- all traces of the acid left bv tho battery. Olhorwiso the- dry colls will be attacked and quickly destroyed. ■ ■ ' While carbon deposits in the combustion chambers ,contain residuum from burned petrol and oil, there also is a considerable percentage of road dust, which is almost ideally adapted to act with the other ingredients in producing the carbon. , It is possible to reduce tho amount of this dust entering the cylinders. by placing a screen in the air intake and cleaning it frequently. Of course, this does not entirely exclude the foreign matter in the air, but it helps,, which is worth while.

When the spark plug develops missing as a result of being sooted, and no means of removal is at hand, as- may happen sometimes on the road,' the plug can be made to fire regularly again by disconnecting the lead aiid introducing an auxiliary gap of one-eighth or one-quar-ter between it and the plug terminal. A simple way to keep tools from rusting is. to give them a coating of vaseline mixed with a siiiall amount of powdered gum camphor. Before applying the two substances should be inelted together over a 6lo>v fire. When applied to the tools a soft rag should be used. ~ In fan assembles that have V-shaped pulleys for the bolt it is well to examine this location for accumulations of dirt, and any such deposits should be carefully cleaned out. Further, it is good practice to give, the belt a brushing with a stiff brush, and then wipe it oil' with a cloth dipped in neatsfool oil. When tyres wear unevenly, or so thin that the rubber remainder is not enough to absorb shocks, the wheel bearings are very likely to bo broken. The samo applies to the bottom of the steering knuckle—in fact, rapid disintegration of the whole chassis may be expected. Do not think that you demonstrate skill oi driving ability by making a quick start, writes, an expert, You will have visible evidence of the inadvisability of this when you seo your tyre bills; but thero is greater harm done, which you are not apt to see, in the rear end and transmission of your cars. Nino out of ten stripped pinions and- rear axle toys can bo attributed to this foolish' practice.

Not all ear owners know that pure rain water is the best that can be . used in tlio cooling system, This is because it is free from mineral substances which arc present in ordinary water, and which are deposited on the metal walls of tho radiator, piping, jackets, etc., to their detriment. When rain water is available. always use it.

_ Whon two of the wires of tho lighting or starting systems arc producing a short circuit an inevitable accompaniment of the condition is heat. By feeling carefully along the lino the operator can usually detect the presence of a short by: tho heat that is being generated. -Lighting-tip time:—Today, '5.52 -p.m. Next Friday, 5.41 pm.