Evening Star Newspaper, March 5, 1922, Page 54

BACKFIRING CAUSED + BYLEAN MIXTURE Expert Tells of Carburetor Troubles and How to Correct Them. BY ALBERT N. ATKINSON. “How did your car take fire?” “I don’t know. I heard it pop back at the carburetor and suddenly dis- covered that it was on fire.” “What made it backfire in the carburetor.” “Again I don't know. We can't find out because the car is a total lo: This is no imaginary conversation, because cars have burned in the past and will again In the future due to backfiring in the carburetor. The most _frequent cause is a lean mixture. This means more air in the mixture than usual. The carburetor gets out of adjustment in some way and the misehief is done. A mixture is slow-burning. It burns all during the power stroke, all during the ex- stroke, and it is still burning when the inlet valve opens. admitting theé fresh mixture. This takes fire and the flame runs back to the carburetor. If there is any gasoline dripping from the carburetor a heavy vapor is form- ed, extending under the engine, where it is held by the mud pan. The flante spreads under the engine and soon reaches the tank, melting the con- nections and releasing a flood of gasoline. - Lean mixture may be due to de- rangement of the carburetor or a leaky inlet manifold. Spray nozsle too far closed. auxiliary air valve spring too wcak or valve stuck open, or clogged fuel line, are a few car- buretor causes. A leaky inlet mani- fold may be detected by running the engine and injecting oil around the . Joints. Oil will be sucked in at the leak, where the bolts must be tight- ened or a new gasket installed in place of the leaky one. We now come to troubles of the inlet valve, which indeed are very rare. The valve lifter may be out of adjustment, leaving no clearance, or aotually pushing the valve off its seat. If there is little or no clearance the ‘valve will hold compression when the engine is cold, but will leak when the engine warms up, due to length- ening of valve stem, and, of course, popping in the carburetor occurs im- mediately. Set tne clearance at about | 3 two thicknesses of newspaper. Oc- T automoTive sriers. | | Charles Deltz, jr., formerly with the Neumeyer Motor Company, has joined the Powell Motor Company, local distributors for the Elgin Six and Hanson Light Six, as sales man- ager. C. W. Nash has announced the pro- motion of Charles B. Voorhis to vice president and director of sales of the Nash Motor Company, and simul- taneously Mr. Voorhis announces the appointment of Earl H. McCart formerly of the Studebaker Corpor: tion, as sales manager. The Lambert Hudson Company, 1212 Connecticut avenue, announces the arrival of the new Hudson coach, the latest addition to the Hudson line; the showroom will remain open evenings for the inspection of the new cars. P PLANS NEARLY COMPLETE FOR HIGHWAY CONVENTION Post Office Cancellation Stamp ‘With Slogan “Visit Phoenix, Ariz., U. S. Good Roads Week” PHOENIX, Ariz, March 3 (Special). —Arranging the details and promot- ing the tenth annual convention of the United States Good Roads Asso- ciation, United States good roads show and the sixth annual convention of the Bankhead National Highway Assoclation are progressing at the headquarters of these associations here in Phoenix. Thousands of cop- ies of letters, newspapers and circu- lars have gone forth telling of the program and the work of these con- ventions. Gov. Charles H. Brough, president, and J. A. Rountree, director general, have written letters to forty-eight governors inviting them to attend the convention, and asking them to appoint 100 delegates each from their respective states. Gov. Thomas E. Campbell, in behalf of the state of Arizona; = the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona State Good Roads Association and the Automobile Club of Arizona have each written similar letters, joining with the offi- cers of the United States Good Roads Association in inviting these governors to com= to Phoenix Representative Carl Hayden has wired Director General Rountree that P 9—Urited States Week,” has passed the House an casionally this valve may become)genate and become a law, and this stuck, so that it cannot close. This may be seen from the outside, as there will be an unusually large space between the valve stem and lifter. Electrical troubles now engage our attention. With a single coil and dis- tributer system such as used on the majority of cars, there would be some distributer trouble or a short- circuit of the distributer wires. See that all wires are properly insulated and wipe all dust from distributer head. If you know how to open the distributer you should wipe out the inside occasionally, using =a cloth dipped in gasoline. This will remove all accumulations of dust, which will cause short circuit if allowed to re- main. 5. Short-Circuit Troubles. On a well known small car we find the trouble caused by short circuits on the timer wires. These chafe against each other and sometimes against the sides of the engine, wear- ing away the insulation and so caus- ing troubles. Close switch using on battery, or run engine on magneto, and advance and retard the spark, watching the commutator and wires. If sparks are seen a short circuit is indicated, which may easily be stopped with tire tape. Fortunately cars do not burn as frequently now as they used to, prob- ably because the flame is led away from the carburetor by the hot-air pipe leading from the hot-air stove on the exhaust manifgld. ut_don't think your car is safe on that ac- count. There are leaks in these pipes and there is an adjustment with large holes to let in air when neces- sary. So watch out for popping in the carburetor and _determine its cause immediately. Here, as else- where, “eternal vigilance is the price of safety.” _—_— Blackbirds by Millions. Prom the Leavenworth Times. There were somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,300,000 blackbirds in a flock that flew over Fort Leaven- worth, according to computations made by Maj. Williagn C. Miiler, Fort Leavenworth. Maj. Miller first noticed the flock flying toward the river just east of Sheridan Drive ridge at 4:47 p.m. The rear guard passed over him at 5:08. Fifty birds abreast per lineal foot would be a conservative estimate, the major concluded. The rest is simple arithmetic. By multiplying 21 (flying time) by 25 (speed in _miles per hour) by 5280 (number feet in one mile) by 50 number of birds per lineal foot) a mul!d_not far from 2,300,000 is ob- o n Now, who's counted a bigger flock? every other part. the highest, why you cannot more. values with Four Cylinder Two-Pass. Roadster. $1000 Five-Pass. Touring.. 1040 Three-Pass. Coupe. . 1420 Five-Pass. Sedan.. .. 1525 Six Cylinder Three-Pass. Roadster.$1495 Five-Pass. Touring. .’ 1525 Retall Telephone Buick built cars on a definite engineering principle. Buick cars have been refined, improved and simplified until ‘there * are no weak members and each unit works in harmony with These are reasons why Buick resale values are always portation at Buick prices or safer transportation by paying Compare Buick Prices and IMMEDIATE DELIVERY STANLEY H. HORNER - 1015 14th Street N.W. When Better Automobiles Are Bailt Buick Will Build Them stamp will be put in use soon. This is said to be the first time that the United States Congress has author- ized a cancellation stamp for any good roads association in America. —_— HINTS TO AUTOISTS. It is the prevailing thought that tires pumped up hard will roll easier and increase the mileage per gallon of gasoline as compared with softly inflated casings. In a recent test it was found that such is not the case and that, on the whole, the under- flated tire will show better mileage. ‘The theory is that the soft tire will wrap around the lumps and road ob- structions, while the hard tire must mount them and thus consume power. The efficiency of ignition wires can- not be determined by the thickness of insulation. Especially is this true of secondary wires. The insulation. however, should be of good guality. Unnecessary thickness of insulation increases the static capacity, which is undesirable. Most springs break because _the spring clips are not kept tight. It is a good idea to inspect and apply the wrench occasionally to these parts. A few moments spent doing this oc- casionally may forestall a broken spring and a lot of unnecessary delay when touring. When connecting the carbureser in the intake manifold of the engine it should not be necessary to pull the couplings in order to bring them into line. If the piping is in good order it should go into place without diffi- culty. If it does not, the difficulty may often be rectified by altering the position of the carbureter on its bracket. Bringing the parts into line by main force is very apt to strain the joints in the piping and cause leaks. AUTO GLASS "’nmnu ‘While Ta‘l"fll. Taranto & Wasman 3°\7 NEW YORK AVE. E.W. purchase equally good trans- all others— Three-Pass. Coupe. . $2035 Five-Pass. Sedan... 2330 Four-Pass. Coupe. .. 2245 Seven-Pass. Touring. 1725 Seven-Pass. Sedan.. 2555 QUESTIONS AND A s \ ard temperature at which solution ]VS gravity is tested, a reading taken at any other tempersture should be cor- Amswers to Last Weel 1. The drop in voltage or the dis- tery occurs when plates within the |l battery have absorbed the acld in the the battery becomes weak. i 2. To locate a noisy valve stop the |not in operation. Overheating may Be action of the valves, one at a time|carried on to a point where the en- Questions. | to bearing surfaces. ine pistons are sometimes drill charged condition of a storage bat- fmh l?olen in their lower halves, to and lead, called lead sulphate. It i1s|tinuing to run after the ignition when' this sulphate fills up the pores|switched off is overheating, due to of the plates, retarding the acld in | faulty cooling system, its ‘circulation Into the plates, that |oll, poorly circulating ol or oll that focted by changes of atmospheric con- ditions. Although the reason is not clear, moisture in the air taken through the carburetor and on into 5. To give greater speed to &n en-|the cylinders with the fuel seems to use better operation of the engine. ; would also apply to differences ncrease lightness and aid lubrication | in altitudes which the car id of the cylinder: L“h“llal‘h‘e’dl:o'!r:r lumi 1 ns are also us e battery solution. When a battery 1s | Bistors shonra all be of exact welght discharging. this acid goes into the|to lessen vibration, so detrimental to plates and forms a compound of acid | sPeed. 6. The usual cause of an engine con 'k of water, 8 congeaied, tight bearings or air fan by holding the valve open with an|Eine will cease to operate, its bear- upward pressure upon the lower part |ings and pistons seizing tightly so The noise will not be | the engine cannot revolve. of its spring. heard when the loose valve is found. 3. The important thing to consider | in a cylinder even though its rings if you wish long service of your tires|are well fitted. In fact there fs in- 4| variably enough tension In the rings pressure cannot be observed as|to hold them against the walls of the standard for a certain sized tire|cylinder, but if the piston is not of) under all conditions, the welght the |the right size, or if worn, it will tire carries must also be considered.|move from side to side inside the It can be readily understood that the | rings, striking the cylinder during tires of two cars, one of which is|operation of the engine. This is no- considerably heavier than the other, |ticeable especially when the efigine may be of the same size, but because | first started and cold. is load as well as inflation. A fixe they are of a size they should not be inflated to equal pressure. The most tery is affected by changes in tem- reasonable procedure would be to as- | perature, although the strength of the certain the load each wheel of your |solution remains the same. car carries, and deduct from a standard | temperature rises the solution will list the inflation specified for your size |expand and have a lower gravity. of tire carrying a weight equal to that| When colder, the gravity will be greater. The grevity differs about 4. Compression must be good to de-|.001 or one point for every three de- rive maximum power from an engine. | grees change in temperature. Seventy Leaks will cut down the engine's|degrees above zero being the stand- of-your car. cperation by weakening the fuel charges entering the cylinders, there- by lessening the energy exerted upon pistons _during power strokes, ' and they will cause loss of pressure dur- ing this stroke. If the compression leak is in_ an inlet valve, the fuel charges will be driven back into the inlet manifold possibly igniting and spitting back through the carburetor. If leak is in exhaust valve the fuel will pass in exhaust pipes, where U will ignite and backfire. If the rings| leak, condensed gasoline from the mixture admitted to explosion cham bers will run down into the crank- diluting the cylinder o ruining its lubricating qualitie: compression leaks w not only lessen power, but will also cause in- cfficient operation and increased wear ' into any Willard Battery Station and Washingto LY Service Standard ' The John Shop Alexandria & Co. Manassas, . Staunton, Main 5296 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Brookland Garage Modern Auto Supply Co. E. J. Penning Smith’s Battery & Electrical Waite Auto Motor Co., Inc. Washington Battery Company Co., Inc. MARYLAND YLeonardtown, Electric Supply 5 VIRGINIA Charlottesville, Moorefield Storage Battery Co. h < Fredericksburg, J. E. Brickert Harrisonburg, Wine Bros. Leesburg, Leesburg Garage Service Company Waynesboro, W. S. Garber Winchester, The Valley Service Station, Inc. 7. A piston will knock if lo0se with- Company. It is a process 8. Specific gravity of a storage bat- ‘When the upon make, year and m Post & Schooley Formerly with Motor Co. of Wash. Stutz and Auburn Experts General Auto Repairing 1428-30 Church St. N.W. Main 1297 ‘Transportation Not Bargains That Is What We Are Selling HURLEYIZING—a new word introduced in the used-car vocabulary in Washington by the Hurley Motor hand machines practically new cars. This means that every automobile which we sell as a “Hurleyized” used car has been put through our shop, completely torn down, every worn part replaced, new tire equipment supplied when needed; top re-covered if necessary; upholstery refurnished; entire car repainted. Cars that are thus re-constructed we do not offer as bargains but at what is a fair market price. We have other used cars that have not been “Hur- leyized” but which are in good running condition. ese cars range in pr‘l;:;e from $200 up—depending el. Learn About the Hurleyizing Process Hurley Motor Company 1522 Fourteenth St. N.W. Open Evenings and Sunday driven, and to day and night driving. 10. Reciprocating and rotary mo- is taken by the pistons of an | ot l Tt e I O tires? 3. What is the result of improper valve clearance? 4. Why should worn or repaired tires posites. The reciprocating motion nd forth or up and down mo- engine. A rotary motion means re- volving action, or rotating constantly in one direction, as that of the fiy- wheel. This Week’s Questions. 1. What causes “gassing” of a storage that makes old or second- Willard Standards of / ervice 1 To render our very best service with equal interest and skill to all motorists and on all makes of batteries without reservation or distinction. Each of the Stations Belowis Battery Headquarters Representing the Wiljand Standaeds of. Secrios; 2 To maintain such location, equipment, and personnel n, J. R. Bradburn ] .z inspection and Service Station A. Wineberger needed. , King St. Garage welcome and as Weir & Birkett Palmer Battery revenue. were reversed. facilities as will permit each station to offer a complete advisory, filling, repair, rental and re- placement service, in keeping with the needs of the locality in which it is established. To maintain repairmen of broad experience, judg- ment, and mechanical and electrical ability, upon whom owners of all makes of batteries can depend for accurate reports and sound advice as to the condition of their batteries, as well as expert repair service when To remember that good-will is-the most ptecious-of commercial assets to each one of us; and that the battery owner who comes in for testing and water is as fully entitled to prompt,cheerful, expert service as the.owner who s in need of work that creates # To manifest at all times, and to all visitors and cus- tomers, the same courtesy, interest, helpfulness, and good-will that we would like to receive if the position —Willard Stofage_ Battery Company - THREADED - "RUBBER ll BATTERY battery? Is it injurious to the battery? |better condition be 2. For what purpose is the valve sleeve | wheels, made which is supplied with certain |greater at the front of the car as that of the rear end of the car? 5. Why should not very strong valve £prings be used 6. How does low temperature affect i taken by the pistons of an|be carried on front wheels, and tires of | storage battery? THE GOOD OLD GENUINE CHAMPION X Ten yours satistactory service ia millions of Ford eagines. Be sure you get the Genuine CHAMPION X for you know, from experience, they mean to your Ford Engine the best possible results. Champion Regulars now 75c. Champion Spark Plug Co., Toledo, Ohio. placed , when the weight 18 s great or