Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-07
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FOR THE AUTOlNOBZZLSTS

prevents an air lock. or pocket. in
the system. which sometimes pre-
vents the water from circulating.
s. A simple way to tell good from
poor oil is to drain a glass tube or
bottle full of that which is carried in
the crankcase and which has been
used for time. Allow it to stand
undisturbed for day. then hold
against a light. Good oil will con-
tain some sediment. which has settled
to the bottom of the container, but
above the settings it viii be red.
Poor oil contains sulphur compound;
viii turn black shortly after being
drawn from the engine and at the
end of Il day Will show two or three
lines as much black sediment as
GOOD oil, The sulphur in this oil will
'njurc bearing surfaces and cause
pitting, and therefore leaking of the
valves OH that congcals ut % de-
srees above zero should not be- used,
specially in cold weather.
/. \ good way for an arnaturc to
,eSt the condition OF the ignition coil
Is to hold IA sparkpluE wire various
distances from the outside of the
engine while ignition switch IL on
and engine liz being turned over. Tn"
coil To be in good condition should
give II spark when the wiz" is AT
least three quarters OF an inch away
nut II can be used If ii sparks 1T Il
Instance OF thrce-ciShths Of an lnch
The coil which gives u spark this
distance outside the engine VIII
create one at the sparkpluE under
compression about Il sixteenth OF an
inch long. The coil which will
not spark at Il distance of a quarter
of an inch outside the cylinder is not
advisable for use. especially in win
ter. as the gas charge admitted TO
the cylinders is harder to ignite.
s., \ straight side tire can be placed
on a clincher. quick detachable rim
but it is not advisable. especially
without the use of some sort of miller
bead to be used with the rim. Rim
cutting and injury to the bead may
result. DO not try to use straight
side bead tire with the old-style one
piece clincher rim. In forcing the tire
on the rim there are many chances
that the bead will be damaged. A
clincher tire will not fit a straight
side rim.
9. 1t is not advisable to try to re-
pair a cracked battery jar If it were
possible. the cost of disassembling of
the battery and the replacing OF
plates and electrolite would not make
the saving of the old jar worth while
although covering the entire outer
surface of the battery with form
of pitch such as battery repairmen
have is said to stop the leaking OF
electrolite. OF course, if this is done
new and larger exterior box must
be built.
10. If your starter fails and you
have no crank, or if there is no one
near to push your car. and you don't
happen to be on a hill when the en-
CINE dies, simply jack up one rear
wheel, engage on high gear. then
turn the wheel with your hands
against compression.
This Weeks Questions.
1. Why is an engine harder to start
in cold weather than it is in summer
especially after it has been allowed
to stand for some length of time?
2. What kind of mixture may be
used on the windshield to prevent
rain or snow from sticking and dim
ming the glass?
3. Why should not gasoline or
grease solvents be used to clean an
automobile top?
4. Why is a lightweight oil used
in new engines. or those with newly
fitted rings and bearings?
5. What are the hydrometer read
ings of the various conditions of a
storage battery?
6. Which tire of car wears the
most? Do the two rear tires wear
the same?
I. How can headlight glasses be
dimmed?
8. What are the first symptoms of
frozen water in the radiator? What Is
the remedy for freezing?
9. How can a sparkplug porcelain
be cleaned, and how tightly should the
plug fit in the cylinder?
10. How can a slipping fan belt be
made to grip the pulleys?
(Copyripht 1920 Thomson Feature Service !