NOTES FOR THE OWNERDRIVER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 20 July 1929, Page 4

NOTES FOR THE OWNERDRIVER

ON COLD MORNINGS ! STARTING HINTS The troubles sonic motorists have with an engine that has/ been found dillicult to start oiV' iP 'cold ' inoniing, may be easily avoided in the majority of eases by attention to a few detail adjustments. First of all it should be remembered that the oil in the crankcase "ill have become very cold and gummy, with the result that'the engine will be difficult to turn over, at any rate for the first two or three times, and therefore if the owner has any.regard at all for his battel'y, ho should give the engine a : few preliminary turns by hand to free, the bearings, with the ignition switch, in the “off” position.; Usually the carburetter is fitted with an air shutter or strangler. When giving tlie” engine, the few

turns by hand, have the strangler in the closed position, thus enabling the engine to draw a 'richer mixture 1 -than normal. After this the starter should be able to swing the motor fust enough to start it. Always remember that the oil will be thick’ for a while’ after starting, and never be tempted to “rev her up” with the idea that you will warm the engine up quicker by so doing. It is far more likely that you will increase your repair bills, owing to increased wear while lubrication is not at its normal efficiency. There is.no quicker way of ruining £he_.internal part of your engine than to race it while still cold. Another' important item which needs attention if one is searching for easy starting is the sparking plug. The modern - plug gives so little cause for worry that the owner is apt to think it never requires attention, but a£; this time-, of the year a few moments spent in cleaning the plugs ancl adjusting the gaps between the points. Svili be yepaidr. While on the job, it will be as well to inspect the contact-breaker points on tlie magneto. In all probability there will lie nothing wrong here, but make sure that the points meet' quite flat, and that they are not burned or pitted. When leaving’ the car for the night, speed the engine up, and switch off while it is running fairly fast. By this means the cylinders will he left iv’th a good charge of .gas, which will facilitate _ starting next, morning. - - •