Cyclopedia of automobile engineering Volume 1 ; a general reference workprepared by a staff of automobile experts, consulting engineers and designers of the highest professional standing

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 Excerpt: ...of. the observed troubles. If make-and-break ignition is used, the procedure in investigating a failure of the ignition will naturally be different; it will also be much simpler. It happens not infrequently that a gas engine will make a few revolutions, and will then stop. Some of the causes for this are also indicated in the schedule. The cylinder oil that is commonly used in steam engines cannot be used in gas engines, as it carbonizes at the high temperature of the explosion, and forms a deposit in the cylinder and on the exhaust valve. A special oil is used; and even this, if supplied in excess, causes a gradual accumulation of hard deposit in the cylinder, which must be cleared out occasionally. Apart from its interference with the action of the igniter and exhaust valve, this deposit is liable to cause premature ignition by being raised to incandescence. Cold water must be kept circulating through the jackets whenever the engine is running, being started as soon as the cylinder warms up. A stoppage of this flow, even for a comparatively short time, is liable to have a disastrous effect upon the cylinder. A gradual accumulation of sediment may occur in the water-jacket, with a consequent reduction in its efficiency. On shutting down, it is always better to drain the jacket, which not only prevents the possibility of its freezing up in winter, but also tends to clear it of sediment. In general practice, however, the jackets are drained only in cold weather. In the running of a gas engine--especially under light loads--very loud and alarming explosions are sometimes heard in the admission pipe or in the exhaust pipe. The back-firing in the admission pipe nearly always results from a leaky admission valve. The explosions in the exhaust, indicating as they...