Evening star., 1922-07-30
ANSWERS TO QUERIES

H. The make of car you drive car
bonizes more readily than the average
| machine, and this is particularly true Of
the newer models But cleaning carbon
FIVE times in 1876 miles is exceptional
II you are using the grade Of oil recon-
mended by the manufacturer and if the
| rings are tight so that the pistons do
not pump oil the trouble is obviously
| delivering too rich a mixture. The
! trouble may also be caused by using
! too lean mixture in which case car
bon results by excessive use of the
choker In starting and when you are
trying to force the car to climb a hill
1 in thigh."
We rather suspect that the power loss
which always induces you to try clean
ing carbon is due to using an excessive
iy lean mixture. Otherwise Why do con-
ditfohs not improve when carbon is re-
moved and stay improved for at least
several thousand miles. You will al
ways find some carbon in a motor even
few hundred miles after 1t has been
cleaned. A lean mixture will cause
knock and loss of power similar to that
caused by an accumulation Of carbon.
And since you must choke the motor
motor rapidly fills up again with car
bon.
There would be no advantage in put
ting two gaskets under the cylinder
head. This only increases the size Of
the combustion chambers and gives the
motor little more power It would not
help keep the motor clean.
: w. NJ. B.-Failure Of the starter to
crank the motor may be due to jam
ming Of the starter gears. This is fire.
Quenty true of starters which operate
BY meshing with the geared edge Of the
dywheel. The remedy is to place the
car in gear and rock 1t back and forth
until the starter gears are free again.
10 the Automobile Editor:
Some Of my friends talk about using
the engine as a brake. How Is this
done and does it hurt the engine any
N. B. D.
brake tho gears are placed in q speed
and the clutch Is engaged. In descend
ing very steep grades 1t is best to use
the low gear. If the ignition is turn
ed on greater braking effect is OBJ
tanned: The foot brake can be used
In addition, but 1t is we'll to save it as
much rs possible. You will find that
the speed can be controlled to some
extent. by means of the throttle lever.
There is no harm in using the engine
as a brake. Get IN the habit Of doing
1t and IL your brakes fail at any
time you win know how to use the
engine instead.
10 the Automobile Editor:
Kindly inform me which type Of
spark plug core Is best for all-round
purposes; the porcelain or the mica.
E. w. T.
Consistently with the policy Of this
n definite decision in matters pertain
in6 to design. We can state, however,
that each type has Its advantages and
disadvantages. The mica core is less
easily. broken but has q tendency to
loose6 up and absorb carbon, making
IA ,short-circut. The porcelain type Is
less easily carbonized, but is apt to
break from a, blow. However, 1t Is
very little apt to break in normal
usage.
To the Automobile Editor:
The platinum points Son my breaker
bars wear rapidly anda need replacing
ful to keep the gap xt}the proper dis
lance, using the 8apsex provided by the
manufacturer. but stili the points wear
out. What should be their normal life?
believe have to Grange them too
often. Sc. eR o. T. p.
With average use the points should
last a year or more. II the condenser
is broken down in the ignition system
the points will wear rapidly and the
secondary spark at the spark plugs viii
be weak, making the engine miss ex-
plosions This will be shown by ex-
cessive sparkling at the breaker points,
even after cleaning and adjusting them.
Test this by removing the distributor
head, being careful to ground the high
tension wire. Then have some one crank
the engine with the starter pedal. while
you watch the points with the ignition
turned on. II the trouble continues have
the manufacturer test the coil Another
possible cause for you trouble Ii having
the breaker points out Of line.
70 the Automohils Editor
II the timing on my car cofrect9 I
|can advance the sRefk either ol,e-quar-
ter or all ths wayx and not change the
speed Of the engine an the least
IS D. q. -
Il q syident 1fona Whist you ~ that
the conneetfon between the spark lever
md The lgniti0n mechaniam Il discon;s