DIRT IN THE MOTOR CAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 17 January 1931, Page 3

DIRT IN THE MOTOR CAR

AFFECTS RELIABILITY All parts of a motor car must he kept clean if the engine, chassis, and other important parts are to be kept in good condition. The appearance of the body is secondary in importance to the maintenance of those parts that dirt may attack and injure. Oil filters, fuel filters, and air cleaners are all designed to prevent dirt from entering the motor, but these parts also become cioggeu, and they need cleaning at least once a year, or oftener.

One oil company manufacturing fuel and oil filters removed the dirt from some used filters, and found that these pails had collected more than a pound of dust from the liquid passing through them. .11 this material is permitted to remain in the filters they become usciesp. Dirt settles also in the main petrol tank, which should be drained /Occasionally until the petrol comes out clean. The foreign matter that collects there is not much, . but it is sufficient to clog the fuel feed line and render the whole supply system useless. Even with the main tank drained the fuel feed line should be blown out to remove particles of greasy dirt that have adhered to the sides of the pipe and, collecting one on another, might cause choking of the fuel supply, 'file carburettor also should be drained clean in the same way, and the needle and valve washed with kerosene. Dirt and rust .are great destroyers in the cooling system. They clog the radiator and thtey .'also eat through the metal and cause leaks. It is therefore essential that the cooling system should be flushed out at least once a month. The process of cleaning the cooling system consists of draining the radiator, flushing it thoroughly with fresh water, while filling with fresh water to which has been added about two tablespoonfuls of baking soda.

The car should then be run for an hour or so while the baking soda loosens the rust. The soda solution should then be drained away, and Die cooling system flushed thoroughly. The chassis and body also require cleaning, or dirt and mud will show their effect. The joints in the chassis may admit dirt, and every time the chassis is greased it should be cleaned thoroughly. The body should he cleaned for the same reason. Oil and grease that have accumulated on the engine and other parts under the bonnet should also he cleaned off, partly for the sake of appearance, hut also because grease left on an engine will heat under the high tempera-

ture of the motor, and an unpleasant odour will ho carried back into the car. Oil falling on the' fan belt or the fan pulleys will cause the belt to slip, and its cooling efficiency will be greatly reduced. Finally oil collects dirt easily, and the resultant grime may attack exposed moving parts and damage them seriously.