“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 848, 17 December 1929, Page 12

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

rpHEJ “Motordom” section of The 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 information of any kind. “Headlight” will endeavour to help, or refer the point to men who are recognised automobile 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 All communications must be accompanied by the inquirer’s name and address (not for publication), and sent to THE SUN “Service Station , Motordom.” THE SUN, Auckland. Answers will appear weekly in this column.

A.J.P. —“Will you please let me know in your motor news what is the cause of my having so much trouble when I am pumping my tyres up? I have asked a good firm, and they say to put a new Schraeder valve in. I did this last Sunday, and I could not force the'pump down. I have a good pump. (2) Is there any advantage getting tyres retreaded and letting them season, instead of using at once, and how long should they be put away in a dark place?” If you are sure that your pump is not leaking, then the trouble is in the valve. Apparently it is not seating properly. Make sure it is screwed right home, and then that the plunger in the centre is free. If this is protruding from the top of the valve guide, air cannot get past it. Prod it with a safety match until it moves freely. (2) Always allow a retreaded tyre to mature for at least 10 days before using it. Keep it away from sun and light if you can. Tyres should only be retreaded if the casing of the walls is strong enough to carry the additional weight and strain of a new tread. F.A.—I have a 1524 Morris-Covvley, and would like some advice about my clutch. When starting, and I push out my clutch pedal, it will not disengage and go into gear unless I rev. the engine up. I put in new cork plates, and it made no improvement. The trouble is probably due to the oil being heavy, and suggest a lighter oil be used. At the foot of the clutch pedal there are two screws for adjustment of its angle to give it a smaller or greater throw. I suggest the adjustment be tried a turn at a time in each screw, slackening one back end the other forward, until correctly adjusted. F'.B.D,—On my 192 S model Singer Senior ear. water continually leaks from the join where, the carburettor is bolted to the engine block. Nov gas-

kets have been tried, and the bolts tightened, but the trouble has not abated. Would you kindly inform me through the “S.S.S.” what it is that causes this trouble, and how it may be remedied. Petrol consumption is very high and pulling power is much below normal. The cause of your trouble is the seepage of water past the thread of the studs holding the carburettor to manifold. Drain radiator, unscrew studs, dip thread in gasket cement or enamel paint and replace. We would advise warming up the engine before refilling radiator to allow the cement to harden. Pack of normal power and unsatisfactory petrol consumption are due to incorrect carburettor setting. Advise using 20 choke and 95 main jet. These can be obtained from the agents of the car or carburettor. J.McD.—The carburettor of my car floods very often when it is standing on a side slope, and as petrol turns to vapour there must be a fair amount of gas under the bonnet, because Ihe tray is quite wet with petrol. In view of this, is there any danger of a fire being started by the generator, which is fairly close to the carburettor and must have explosive gas around it? As cars sometimes catch fire, could this be the reason, and can you inform me if it is wise to take any precautions? As long as the inspection cover of the generator is firmly secured there is no chance of the slight spark of the brushes on the commutator igniting petrol vapour. At the same time, it is as well to be careful if you are cleaning the commutator with the motor running that the carburettor does riot flood then, for the sparks are capable of ignition. The wisest pr • .lUtion would be to grind in the needle \ jive and °siop the flooding, or t«> turn mT the petrol every time you have the oar standing on a slope.