m*- w - Clpdigital.org

A STUNT OR
COME time your carburetor may take fire
from a back-fire or a sticking intake valve.
This is the usual cause of automobile fires
under the hood. It makes a very alarming
sight and is often the cause of a panic which
in turn is the cause of complete destruction of
the car. In reality it is not so bad as it looks
provided prompt action is taken. This prompt
action does not consist of pulling out the chemical
fire extinguisher and dousing the carburetor
with it. The contents of the extinguisher
will certainly put out the fire and it is well to
have it in readiness in case the flame gets
beyond control. The first thing to do is to
remember that it is fatal to get excited and run
away. The writer has seen a large number of
these carburetor fires and only once has the
following program failed to put out the blaze.
Shut off the gasoline supply, then turn on the
ignition, and try to start the engine. It may
start or it may not but in any event the turning
of it causes a powerful suction from the carburetor
to the cylinders and this draws the
blazing gasoline up into the engine where it
belongs, and then the fire is out. Do not use
the fire extinguisher until it is seen that the
above treatment will not work.
* # #
VY/HEN the aluminum running boards and
other plates become stained and tarnished,
a strong solution of hyposulphate of soda will
remove the stain and tarnish where ordinary
metal polish will fail.
* * *
D OAD oil that has been on the body of the
car so long that gasoline or kerosene will
not remove it, can be taken off with a paste
made of rotten stone and turpentine. Care
should be taken, however, not to rub too hard
as the friction tends to destroy the varnish.
Rather rub the begrimed parts gently and do it
a longer time.
* * *
A TELEPHONE receiver attached to a steel
^^ rod is a very good device for locating
knocks. The rod is rigidly attached at one
end to the body of the receiver and a wire is
led" from it to the diaphragm like a phonograph
reproducer. The other end of the rod is placed
against suspected parts of the engine and the
receiver applied to the ear.