The TRUTH ABOUT MOTORS

NZ Truth, Issue 1208, 24 January 1929, Page 18

The TRUTH ABOUT MOTORS

WHEN CYLINDERS SKIP

It Is Quite Easy To Restore Smooth Running When your cylinders start to skip, down goes power and up goes the fuel bill. The power loss, with a six, may not be very great, but the waste of fuel is serious, while the rapid dilution of engine oil is the worst result of all.

APART from faulty plugs of hightension wiring 1 , most trouble is due to carbon dust m the distributor and platinum points dirty or set to the wrong gap. Both these faults are quite simple to rectify. An ordinary touring engine will not oil up its plugs unless either the rings or cylinders are badly worn, or worn big-end bearings, m conjunction with pressure lubrication, are allowing- far too liberal an oil suppiy to be splashed to the cylinders. Of course, overfilling of the sump would have a similar effect. • It is most important, especially with magneto Ignition, for the plug electrode gaps to be correct. Large gaps cause hard starting, and mis-firing, especially at low speeds when the throttle is opened to accelerate.

Gaps which are too close are responsible for uneven running with small throttle openings, usually becoming regular when more, gas is admitted. The best plan is to buy a set of feeler gauges, costing a couple of shillings, for setting plugs and tappets. Give 20 thousandths gap for magneto, and 30 thousandths for coil ignition. To clean an oily plug, take It apart, wipe the carbon from the insulator, and scrape out the body. Finally wash away the oil and carbon with petrol. When choosing a new plug, choose the sarqe type, though not necessarily ,the same make, as is standard on the engine. A racing plug m a touring en- | sine is usually most unsatisfactory, and 'vice-versa. ;