The TRUTH ABOUT MOTORS

NZ Truth, Issue 1148, 1 December 1927, Page 15

The TRUTH ABOUT MOTORS

PETROL LINE TROUBLES

Thorough Clean Out Is Required

When a carburettor continually gives trouble owing- to choked jets or flooding, there is only one remedy — a thorough clean out of the entire petrol system.

AS a rule this work is only necessary on cars which have run

several thousand miles, but occasionally it is necessary with a new car, owing to foreign matter having been accidentally introduced. The work can be readily carried out by any owner. The first job is to empty the petrol tank, either by syphoning: or by removal of the plug at the bottom. The petrol pipe is then unscrewed and removed right through to the vacuum tank. The pipe can be bent without danger to facilitate removal. The petrol pipe and vacuum pipe from vacuum tank are then removed and the carburettor taken off. The vacuum tank itself need not be unscrewed from its position. The next job is to clean the main tank. This can best be done by means of repeated washings with petrol, allowing solid particles to settle as they come out from the vents. When the petrol comes through clean a couple of times, the tank can be regarded as reasonably safe. The next task is cleaning the vacuum tank. Remove the top cover plate and carefully lay on one side the delicate mechanism which actuates the tank. The other parts can then be washed out with petrol, all screwedin junctions being removed to make sure the whole ground is covered.

The carburettor is then dissembled, and the float removed and cleaned by wiping. The best method of cleaning the body of the carburettor is to soak it for half an hour m hot caustic soda or boiling washing soda. Here again all screwed joints should be taken apart so that no particles of dirt or scale escape. The petrol pipes are the last to be ! tackled. s It is necessary to pour hot soda solution through them two or three times, and then flush them out under the tap, using plenty of water at as high a pressure as possible. The carburettor is finished off m a similar manner, and the whole lot dried right out until there is no risk of the smallest amount of water being left. The petrol system can then be reassembled, taking care to make all joints secure against leakage, varnished paper gaskets being used where needed. The vacuum tank will need extra' care m this respect. When a job is complete, the trouble due to fouled jets and float needle will have ended for many months. The job is merely an afternoon's Interesting work quite within the capacity even of a novice.