The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-03-14

fuel, unless more volatile fuel Is used
for printing. A very satisfactory way
to apply heat is to put some hot water
into the cooling system, thus warming
the cylinders and assisting in vaporiz-
ing the gasoline that is drawn in with
the charge or injected as printing. In
this case, also, the engine should be
allowed to stand few minutes to per-
NIT the gasoline to vaporize. 1t Is not
necessary that the entire cooling sys-
tenn be filed with hot water; If
enough is used to heat the cylinders
so the engine will start, cold water
may then be added until the radiator
is full. This method, Of course, will
be practicable only with small or me-
dium-sized engines; with some of the
larger sizes of tractors the amount of
hot water usually available will have
little effect used in this way.
If only a little hot water is avail
able, 1t may be. more effective If poured
slowly over the intake manifold. and
the carburetor as well, If the carbu-
rotor Is covered so no water can enter
it. A very effective way of heating
the intake manifold is to wrap a cloth
around it and pour the hot water over
the cloth, or dip the cloth in hot water
and then wrap it around the manifold.
If the manifold can be heated it will
warm the air that touches it as it en-.
tiers the engine; this warm air will
cause the gasoline spray which 1t car
ries to vaporize. AS greater pro-
portion of the air passing through
small pipe comes in contact with the
walls of the pipe than in the case of
large one, this method works best
with engines having comparatively
small manifold. When depending upon
heat. from the manifold to warm the
air, the engine should be cranked fair
ly rapidly, so as not to allow the
warmed mixture to remain long in
contact with the cold walls Of the COM
bustion chamber and so cause the va
por to condense into liquid again.
There are frequently occasions when
an engine must be started in cold
weather under conditions where hot
water cannot be obtained, and in such
cases some other means of applying
heat must be used. Some people make
use of a blowtorch to apply the heat
to the intake manifold, or, by removing
spark plug or igniter block, heat the
combustion chamber itself.
Open Flame Not Favored.
The use of an open flame around a
gas engine at ordinary temperatures
is not to be recommended, on account
of the possibility of fire. 1t always in
PRODUCES an element of danger.
One of the most effective methods
Of starting cold engine, and one abb
solutely safe, is to remove the spark
plug Cor lighter block and heat it In
fire or in the flame of blowtorch,
prime the engine, and then quickly re-
place the spark plug. The charge is
almost sure to ignite. A drop or two
of gasoline put on the inside of the
plug just before replacing it insures
the presence of vaporized fuel near the
spark when the engine is cranked.
Where, for any reason, it is imprac-
ticable or inadvisable to apply heat In
any of the ways indicated, 1t may be
possible to heat a piece of metal pipe
the size of the air intake of the car
bureter then place this so all the air
entering the carbureter must pass
through it. This is nearly as effective
as a heated manifold. Such a pipe
may be made red-hot if desired.
Provide Volatile Fuel.
Another means of starting engines
in cold weather, which is practiced to
considerable extent. is to provide
some very volatile fuel with which to
prime it. ether or "high-test" gasoline
being perhaps most commonly used.
AS these will vaporize at lower temper
atures than ordinary commercial gas
Oline, they make 1t easier to obtain a
combustible mixture. In using ether,
care must be exercised not. to use too
much, as dangerous pressures may be
created because of the rapidity with
which it burns. In many cases it is
mixed with about equal parts of gaso-
line. There is no danger In the use of
the. high-test gasoline. 1t is not quite
so effective as ether, because it is less
volatile, but it is being used with en-
tire satisfaction by a great many en-
Oina ownorS