The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-11-05

Will you please tell me whether a
cylinder should leak compression past
the rings when stopped on dead CEN
ter? If it should not leak, how do you
remedy this?
The rings should be tight enough so
that no appreciate loss of pressure
will occur for. say, a minute, but 1t
cannot be expected that the pressure
will stay there indefinitely when the
piston is stopped on dead center. From
the way your question is worded 1t
seems that you have turned the motor
over until one of the pistons has
reached the end of the compression
stroke and that you left it there for a
few moments at least. If, however,
we have misunderstood you and the
fact actually is that when you turn
the motor over slowly without stop
ping the pressure decreases then you
have a leak. 1t may not be the fault
Of the rings. however, but due to the
valves. If the trouble is due to leak
ing rings they must be replaced. and if
the pistons and cylinders are very
badly worn it may be necessary to bore
out the cylinders and fit larger rings.
Before going to the trouble of tearing
down the motor and examining the
pistons and rings remove the exhaust
valve and note whether it is carbon
lied or pitted. If so it must be ground.
Also note whether there is ahv clear
ance between the valve stem md the
push rod. There should be sufficient
space to insert piece of writing pa
per- and if there is not the push rod
must be adjusted by loOsening the lock
nut. which is the lower one. and then
turning the upper nut to the right. If
there is no clearance the valve will be
held off its seat and leakage will occur.
If the exhaust valve is found to be in
good condition examine the inlet valve.
How is a canvas strip used to pull
car out of the mud?
The canvas strip is supplied with
cords at either end and is tied to
stake at the front and the rear tied
around the tire When the wheel starts
to slip it carries the canvas with 1t,
and the latter is wound upon the tire,
the car coming forward at the same
time.
would like to know what causes a
dull knock in my engine running slowly
when idle. With both throttles re-
tarded, the valves in good shape and
the connecting rods tight this knock
seems to be in the fore part Of the en-
CINE.
The knock is due to some loose part,
which must be found by process of
elimination. Probably you will find
this knock by examining the main
bearings for looseness. the tiywheel
connection and the crank shaft, which
may have become flattened. If the
pistons are worn so that they have be-
come loose knock of this kind may
also be given by the slapping of the
pistons against the cylinder walls.
In removing carbon from gasoline en-
oines should denatured alcohol be used
while engine is hot or coldH How much
to each cylinder, and how long should
it remain in cylinders2
Apply the alcohol when the motor is
hot for the reason that the action of
the alcohol is merely to dissolve the
gummed oil which binds the particles
of carbon together into a hard, solid
mass. and when the alcohol is hot it
dissolves the oil more readily. The
cylinder should be filled with alcohol
so that it will come into contact with
every part of the carbon. 1t is best to
"Sheer speed had nothing to do