Chapter XLV: Carbon Removing

It is necessary to remove the carbon deposits from the combustion chambers and piston heads at frequent intervals in order to maintain an economical and efficient motor.

There are various methods and ways of doing this without removing the casting or cylinder head; that is, providing regular attention is given to prevent the deposit from baking and forming in a shale which can be removed only by burning or scraping.

There are a number of carbon removing compounds on the market which give excellent satisfaction, although some of these compounds may prove very harmful unless the directions are followed very carefully.

A great many owners use kerosene once or twice a month. An ounce or two may be poured into each cylinder while they are quite warm and allowed to stand for several hours. The motor is then turned over a few times which allows the kerosene to escape through the valves. The particles of carbon are blown out through the muffler when the motor is started. Others prefer to feed it into the motor through the carburetor. This is done by speeding up the motor and feeding a little at a time into the float chamber or air valve. Others use chloroform, turpentine, and alcohol in the same way.

The latest method is to take the car to a garage and have the carbon burnt out occasionally with a carbon dioxide flame. This vaporizes and consumes the carbon and blows it out in the form of soot. The flame of an acetylene welding outfit may be used successfully. Great care must be taken to prevent fire. The carburetor is removed and the fuel line drained and tied out of range of the flame.

TROUBLES

--------------------+------------------------+------------------------
TROUBLE |CAUSE |REMEDY
--------------------+------------------------+------------------------
Motor misses |Worn piston rings |New oversize rings
Motor misses |Pitted valve seats |Grind in valve seats
Motor misses |Loose locknut, tappets |Adjust tappets
Motor misses |Gas. mixture too heavy |Adjust carburetor
Motor misses |Gas. mixture too thin |Adjust carburetor
Motor misses |Contact points worn |Adjust points
Motor misses |Loose cable connections |Connect to terminal
| |posts
Motor misses |Cracked piston head |Replace piston
Motor misses |Cracked water jacket |Weld, rebore cylinder
Motor heats |Poor circulation |Flush out radiator
Motor heats |Insufficient lubrication|Clean oiling system
Motor heats |Excessive carbon deposit|_See_ chapter on Carbon
| |Removing
Motor heats |Cracked piston ring |Replace rings
Motor heats |Scored cylinder wall |Rebore cylinder
Motor heats |Tight main bearings |Lubricate plentifully
Motor heats |Heavy gas mixture |Adjust carburetor
Motor heats |Cylinders missing |_See_ Motor Misses
Motor heats |Worn distributor contact|Replace spring on block
|spring |
Motor back-fires |Lean mixture |Adjust carburetor
Motor back-fires |Valve open |Reseat valve, adj.
| |tappet
Motor back-fires |Ignition off time |_See_ ignition systems
Motor fails to start|Lack of gasoline |Fill tank
Motor fails to start|Vacuum in fuel tank |Open air hole in cap
Motor fails to start|Lack of current |Close circuit
Motor fails to start|Short circuit |Tape conductor at point
Motor fails to start|Discharged battery |Test with hydrometer;
| |have recharged
Motor fails to start|Lack of fuel |Clean carburetor
Motor fails to start|Lack of fuel |Clean screen at fuel
| |entrance to vacuum
| |system
Motor fails to start|Lack of fuel |Clean pipe from vacuum
| | system to carburetor
Motor fails to start|Ignition fouled |Clean corrosion from
| | terminals
Motor fails to start|Breaker points stuck |Redress lightly with
| |finger nail file
Motor fails to start|Plugs improperly set |Close points to
| |thickness of a dime
Motor fails to start|Oil on points |Clean plugs and screw
| |down tightly
Motor fails to start|Cracked porcelain |New plug
Motor fails to start|Open valves |Grind or reset valves
Motor fails to start|Valves stuck |Polish stems
Motor fails to start|Weak valve springs |Replace springs
Motor fails to start|Open circuit |Close switch
Motor misses |Defective spark plug |Replace
Motor misses |Disconnected wires |Connect up tightly
Motor misses |Dirty plugs |Clean
Motor misses |Poor compression |Replace gasket
| |New piston rings
Motor vibrates |Loose frame connection |Draw bolts down
Motor vibrates |Pistons sticking |Increase lubrication
Motor vibrates |Pistons weight uneven |Balance evenly
Motor vibrates |Defective spark plug |Clean, replace plug
Motor kicks |Preignition |Time ignition system
Motor kicks |Carbon, combustion |Scrape out, burn out
|chamber |
Motor knock head |Wrist pin bearing loose |Give pin ¹⁄₄ turn
Motor knock head |Loose connecting rod |Tighten upper bearing
Motor knock head |Valve slap |Adjust tappet
Motor knock base |Connecting rod loose |Adjust remove shim
Motor knock base |Main bearing loose |Adjust remove shim
Motor rumble |Flywheel loose |Adjust reseat
Motor rumble |Fan bearing loose |Adjust grease
Motor tipping |Fan blade strikes |Adjust bend blade
|radiator |
Motor tapping |Tappet worn |Adjust tighten lock nut
Motor compression |Thread stretch |Tighten head bolts
poor | |
Motor compression |Gasket burned or blown |Replace, new gasket
poor | |
Motor compression |Valve seat pitted |Grind, reset valve
poor | |
Motor compression |Valve guide worn |Replace bushing
poor | |
Motor compression |Valve stem warped |New valve
poor | |
Motor compression |Piston rings lined up |Distribute openings
poor | |
Motor compression |Cylinder wall scored |Oversize rings; rebore
poor | |
Universal joint |Loose sleeve connection |Tighten flange bolts
noise | |
Universal joint |Insufficient lubrication|Remove boot and pack
noise | |with grease
Universal joint slap|Worn bushings |Turn bushings end for
| |end
Universal joint slap|Worn trunion |New bushings
Differential noise |Dry |Fill with graphite
| |grease or 600 W
Differential click |Chipped gear |Replace
Differential knock |Broken out tooth |Replace
Differential growl |Ring gear mesh too deep |Back up trifle on
(steady) | |adjustment
Differential growl |Ring gear mesh too |Set up adjustment
(uneven) |loosely |
Differential growl |Axle shaft sprung |Retrue, replace
(uneven) | |
Differential growl |Loose bearing retainer |Tighten nuts
(uneven) | |
Brakes fail to |Rusted clevis joints |Lubricate with heavy
release | |grease
Brakes fail to |Broken coil spring |Replace
release | |
Brakes fail to |Stretched coil spring |Replace
release | |
Brake clatter |Loose adjustment |Adjust
Brake clatter |Worn lining |Reline the outer band
Brake clatter |Loose release spring |Adjust
Brake squeak |Dry lining |Four or five drops of
| |oil
Brake squeak |Burned lining |Replace
Brakes fail to grip |Lining worn down to |Replace
|rivet heads |
Brakes fail to grip |Overly lubricated |Wash with kerosene
Brakes fail to grip |Lining worn slick |Wash with kerosene and
| |roughen with file
Brakes fail to grip |Lining burned hard |Replace
Brakes fail to grip |Stretched rivets |Draw down
Brake rod rattle |Worn clevis pin |Replace
Brake rod rattle |Spread clevis yoke |Drive ends together
Brake rod rattle |Loose lock-nut behind |Tighten down
|clevis |
Brake rod rattle |Brake rods strike each |Tape one rod at contact
|other |point
Brake rod rattle |Dry connections |Lubricate with small
| |lump of grease
Torque rod rattle |Loose connections |Adjust
Torque rod rattle |Loose coil spring |Adjust
Emergency brake |Loose joint bearing |Replace bushing
lever rattle | |
Emergency brake |Worn plunger spring |Replace
lever rattle | |
Gear shift lever |Worn ball socket |Lubricate with heavy
rattle | |grease
Gear shift lever |Worn ball |Dent in socket with
rattle | |punch
Gear shift lever |Worn alignment spring |Replace
rattle |blades |
Gear shift lever |Worn bearing |Place thin washer at end
rattle | |of joint
Steering wheel play |Open mesh |Set up sector
Steering wheel play |Loose bearing |Turn down cone
Steering wheel play |Worn gear tooth |Take up on eccentric
| |bushing
Steering wheel play |Loose drag link sockets |Turn in end plug
Steering wheel |Dry |Pack with grease
stiffness | |
Radiator heats |Poor circulation |Flush radiator
Radiator heats |Jammed tubes |Remove jam and solder in
| |new piece tube
Radiator heats |Sediment in bottom tank |Flush out with soda
| |solution
Radiator heats |Stopped up overflow |Run wire through
Radiator freezes |Too much radiation |Cover bottom half of
| |radiator with cardboard
Radiator freezes |Jammed tubes |Cut out section; solder
| |in new piece
Radiator freezes |Sediment in bottom tank |Flush out with soda
| |solution
Vacuum tank spouts |Dirt on vacuum valve |Clean valve
gas |seat |
Vacuum tank |Dirt on vacuum valve |Clean valve
overflows |seat |
Vacuum tank fails |Suction pipe from |Clean pipe
|manifold stopped up |
Vacuum tank fails |Vacuum valve stuck |Clean valve
| |
Vacuum tank fails |Entrance screen stopped |Remove fuel line and
|up |clean screen
Vacuum tank fails |Loose connection at |Tighten joint
|manifold |
Vacuum tank fails |Plugged fuel line |Run wire through
| |
Carburetor wheeze |Choke valve out too far |Push in after starting
|on dash |
Carburetor wheeze |Choke valve wire too |Lengthen and adjust
|short |
Carburetor wheeze |Butterfly loose on air |Adjust and tighten
|valve pivot |
Carburetor chokes |Dirty valve |Grind needle valves
Carburetor chokes |Sediment in bowl |Clean out bowl
Carburetor chokes |Heavy mixture |Open air valve slightly
Carburetor chokes |Water in gas |Clean out bowl
Carburetor snaps |Thin mixture |Cut down air
Carburetor snaps |Water in gas |Strain gas through
| |chamois
Carburetor snaps |Dirt in fuel line |Run wire through
Carburetor snaps |Dirt under needle valve |Remove; clean seat
Carburetor overflows|Dirt on needle valve |Remove; clean seat
|seat |
Carburetor overflows|Cork float (water- |Dry in sun and shellac
|logged) |
Carburetor overflows|Metal float punctured |Punch hole opposite
| |leak, blow out, solder
| |both
Carburetor backfires|Worn intake valve |Replace bushing
|bushing |
Carburetor backfires|Defective spark plug |Replace
Carburetor backfires|Pitted valve seat |Reseat
Magneto roar |Armature shaft bearings |Two drops of light oil
|dry |in bearing well
Magneto click |Dry bearing |Two drops of light oil
| |in bearing well
Magneto fires uneven|Breaker points out of |Adjust points
|adjustment |
Magneto fires uneven|Open safety spark gap |Adjust gap to ¹⁄₁₆″
Magneto fires uneven|Condensor short |Take to service station
|circuited |
Magneto fires uneven|Distributor segments |Take to service station
|worn |
Magneto fires uneven|Distributor brush worn |Take to service station
Magneto fires uneven|Distributor insulation |Take to service station
|cracked |
Magneto fires uneven|Coil short circuited |Take to service station
Distributor arm |Worn center bushing |Replace bushing
wabbles | |
Distributor fails |Spring blade broken in |Replace blade
|head |
Distributor fails |Worn contact point in |Cut down insulation
|head |
Distributor fails |Oil on contact block |Clean with kerosene
|blade |
Distributor fails |Contact points welded |File smooth, adjust
Distributor fails |Loose on shaft |Reset and retime
Distributor fails |Coil shorted from |Dry out thoroughly
|dampness |
Distributor fails |Punctured condensor |Replace
Distributor fails |Secondary wire short |Replace or tape
|circuited |
Distributor fails |Secondary wire |Connect to proper
|disconnected in switch |terminal
Starting motor fails|Corroded terminals |Clean and grease
Starting motor fails|Brush loose |Tighten and adjust to
| |even contact
Starting motor fails|Terminal from battery |Clean and tape
|short circuited to frame|
Starting motor fails|Starting switch short |Cut off end of wire,
|circuited |make new connection
Starting motor fails|Bennidict spring broken |Replace
Starting motor fails|Battery discharged |Recharge battery
Generator fails to |Disconnected |Replace heavy wire
charge | |
Generator fails to |Short circuit in cut-out|Make new connection
charge |switch |
Generator fails to |Brush out of contact |Adjust contact
charge | |
Generator noise |Dry bearings |Lubricate with light oil
Battery discharges |Plate short circuited |Take to service station
too quickly | |
Battery discharges |Leaky cell |Take to service station
too quickly | |
Battery discharges |Weak solution |Take to service station
too quickly | |
Battery discharges |Deteriorated plates |Take to service station
too quickly | |
Battery discharges |Dry plates |Cover plates with
too quickly | |distilled water
Battery overcharges |Insufficient use of |Burn lights and use
|current |starter frequently
Battery heats |Overcharging |Burn lights and use
| |starter frequently
Horn fails |Wire short circuited |Replace or tape
Horn fails |Brush making poor |Adjust brush evenly
|contact |
Horn fails |Brush making heavy |Adjust brush lightly
|contact |
Horn fails |Drum too tightly |Adjust through funnel
|adjusted |
Squeaks |Body loose on frame |Tighten four retainer
| |bolts
Squeaks |Dry springs |Lubricate with graphite
| |grease
Squeaks |Fuel tank loose |Tighten bands
Squeaks |Radiator loose |Tighten studs
Squeaks |Drip pan loose |Compress coil springs
Squeaks |Fender irons loose |Tighten bolts
Squeaks |Upper steering shaft |Pack with heavy grease
|bearing dry |
Rattles |Loose spring alignment |Bush and tighten
|clamp |
Rattles |Spread rod clevis open |Draw up ends and grease
Rattles |Demountable rim lugs |Draw up or replace
|loose |
Rattles |Door hinge screws loose |Draw up
Rattles |Door lock worn |Bush slot
Lights jar out |Wires short circuited |Tape worn insulation
Lights jar out |Weak plunger spring in |Stretch spring
|contact plug |
Lights fail |Poor contact |Remove wire and tape
| |insulation
Lights fail |Poor contact |Remove plugs and adjust
| |firmly in sockets
Lights dim |Globes carboned |Replace
Lights burn with |Globe out of adjustment |Turn back into socket
black spot in center| |firmly