THE FORUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 118, 9 August 1927, Page 8

THE FORUM

A CORNER FOR THE OWNER WHO WANTS TO PUT SMALL JOBS RIGHT HIMSELF

HINTS BY "HEADLIGHT” A 1924 Ford was parked downtown, and when the owner attempted to start it two hours later not one cylinder would fire. The starter cranked the engine, and to all appearances the car had not been disturbed. This could have been lack of gasoline or electrical trouble. It was electrical, and some of the possibilities were a faulty ignition switch, a poor connection or an open circuit. It was a poor connection. The timer roller was covered with dried grease, and due to the cold weather the grease had become hard. The spring was not strong enough to cause the roller to make contact with the timer, and the ignition system could not work. When the timer and timer roller were cleaned and oiled the engine ran perfectly. * * * Symptoms of wet spark-plugs—en-gine hard to start; when once started, misfires; but when the engine warms up, the “miss” disappears. The trouble is usually caused by a slightly leakir - cylinder head gasket. As a result, there is a pronouaced showing of water on the spark-plugs. To rectify: Tighten cylinder-head down. If this is not effective, fit a new gasket. One company in United States manufactures 1,832,658 motor horns in 12 months. Is it any wonder that world - famed doctors tell us that American people are the most nervy in the world? Incidentally, the company that inflicts these noises on a nerve-strained public, also manufactures the following parts in one year:—2,015,474 cowl lamps: 1,468,344 relays; 1,427,637 starting switches; 1,393,472 ignition coils: 1,367,021 lighting switches; 1,327,718 distributors; 1,312,547 generators: 1,264,706 starting motors; 1,225,444 tail lamps. “How do you find business?” a motor salesman in a city showroom was asked yesterday by a passing friend. “By going after it,” was the reply. How these motor salesmen take you literally! This is a warning to intending purchasers.