Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-03-13
prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculturel

Prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
1t Is important that engine opera
tors familiarize themselves with the
bad effects produced on gas engines
by cold weather and with the easiest
ways Of overcoming them. for with
such knowledge it is comparatively
easy to start a gas engine in the Sc
verest weather.
The cold affects starting in three
ways: ~ 1t makes it harder to crank
the engine, because the Oil congeals
on the bearings and around the pis-
ton and valves, ~ where dry bat
terry is used it weakens the spark, (3)
it causes gasoline to vaporize very
slowly or not at all, therefore makes
1t difficult to obtain mixture of gas
oline vapor and air which can be ig-
nited by the spark.
The congealing Of the Oil is not usu-
ally very serious difficulty. although
1t may necessitate great deal more
effort in cranking the engine. A lit
tie gasoline or kerosene on all bear
ings which can be reached will help,
and liberal printing Of gasoline In
the cylinder will tend to thin the oil
around the piston as well as aid In
obtaining good mixture, as noted be-
low.
Do Not Use Kerosene.
Kerosene will interfere with the
forming of a combustible mixture. Also
where gasoline or kerosene has been
| used on bearings to make cranking
easier, the engine should not be put
under q load until the bearings have
had time to get well fabricated again
with good oil.
The effect Of cold on the ignition
system will be noticeable only where
dry cells are used, with the exception
that where the engine Is equipped
! with a timer which Is oileA, the con-
gealing Of the oil may interfere with
the contact Of the timer, in which casa
q little kerosene or gasoline may be
| necessary to thin the oil. When dry
cells are cold they become less ac-
tive, and at extremely low tempera-
ture they will cease giving current.
Therefore dry battery should be kept
In warm place during the winter
when not In use, SO as to be active
when needed. If this has not been
done 1t should be set In q warm place
4 for several minutes before attempt
ing to start the motor in cold wealth
er. Never warm battery by apply
ing intense heat directly to the cells,
but allow them to warm slowly. While
In operation they will generate suffl.
Gent heat to keep them active. With
cells which have been sealed In par
ATTN or other wax, care should be ex-
ercised not to expose them to a TEN.
4 perature high enough to melt the wax
Cold Retards vaporizing.
The most serious effect of cold
weather on gas engine operation is
4 attributable to the fact that cold re.
tards the vaporizing Of the fuel. Gas.
oline as liquid will not burn; II
must first be turned into vapor and
4 this vapor mixed with a certain
amount Of air. A thin spray Of gas.
oline In warm air will quickly turn to
Ia vapor and mix with the surround
ing air, but at low temperatures 9
considerable part Of such spray will
Il remain liquid, hence will not make
an explosive mixture. The remedy
is obvious. A greater quantity Of
gasoline must be furnished so as te
i give of more vapor in order to make
mixture rich enough to be combust
ible, or the air must be heated so the
gasoline will vaporize more readily, OF
combination of these expedient'
must be tried.
II the weather is only moderately
cold, 1t is usually sufficient to prime
the engine in some way, that is, in
ject a small quantity Of gasolin;
(about spoonful) into the cylinder
ordinarily either through petcocl
. or printing plug, in order that more
fuel may be present, hence more va
por. Whenever an engine is primed, {
short time should be allowed for thu
fuel to vaporize and mix with the al
before attempting to crank the engine
If this is not done the vapor will pas
out a little at time through the ex
haust valve as the engine is cranked
and the printing will not serve its pur
pose.
Heat Must BE ApnIfed.