“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 764, 10 September 1929, Page 6

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

THE “Motordom” section of Tho Sun includes in its service to readers a Queries and Answers Department, the object of which is to give accurate information regarding mechanical and touring subjects. Whatever the particular puzzle may be in either diagnosing irritating troubles or motoring infomnation of any kind, “Headlight” will endeavour to help, or refer the point to men who are recognised autonobile experts in their respective lines. All communications must be accompanied by the inquirer’s name and address (not for publication), and sent to THE SUN “Service Station, Motorclom ** THE SUN, Auckland. Answers will appear weekly in this column.

“Upland.”—Can you tell me the correct way to. paint my car with Ripolin over the original Duco without removing the Duco? I intend to get as near as possible to the original colour, which is dark, castor oil blue, almost black. Do not try to use enamel over duco; j they are not friendly. Either have the ] car refinished in duco again, or strip j the duco and start with Ripolin filler 7 from the steel up. “Absorber.”—l have purchased a j Morris-Oxford, 1926 model, with ••Gabriel” shock absorbers on the front. The back had no absorbers of any kind so 1 had a set of J.W.’s fitted on the i*ear springs. Had only travelled six miles after having same fitted, when I broke a C spring about five inches up from the shackle bolt. The break was quite clean, so immediately took the others off. Could you tell me if this

type is unsuitable for these springs, or was it merely a coincidence? It was probably only a coincidence. I have not heard of shock absorbers breaking springs in that way before. H.A.F.—If I buy a new car now do i have to pay registration fees for the past two or three months, too, or do I get one full year from date? The yearly licensing period ends on May 31. A new car has to pay £1 for registration, and only a proportionate amount on the unelapsed period until May 31, 1930. The same principle applies to the Third Party Insurance premium. V.0.C.—1 have : Rugby car. After travelling about seven miles she smokes dly at the oil tiller opening. If I let her stand for about an hour she will nut smoke again, no matter how far I travel. Could you tell me, through the medium of the your valuable paper, the cause? If she smokes all the time I would think it was the valves or piston rings, but she has just been overhauled. The Vacuum Oil Company says that this is probably due to crankcase dilution with benzine, which is thrown off only when the oil heats up. The dilution will probably be caused by (1) badly worn pistons, or (2) excessive use of the choke.