Grinding Valves in Antique Cars (state automotive inspectors)
No commentsBy Peter Salmonford
Owing to the fact that the inlet valve is not subjected to the temperatures which the exhaust valve reaches, it is very rarely necessary to grind it in. The period at which valve grinding becomes necessary varies with different engines and the care of driving, etc. Roughly, with a water-cooled engine, the exhaust valve should be ground in after 3,000 miles and the inlet after 6,000. No harm can be done by grinding in a valve, so that if an engine loses power before it has run this distance it is well to examine the valves and give them a slight grinding. After the valve is replaced the cotter should be readjusted, and locked by means of the nut.
If a valve is badly burnt examination will show whether it is better to fit a new valve rather than grind in the old one. Very often a badly burnt valve can be recut and trued, and to replace the whole process of valve grinding, a process of valve truing and an apparatus for carrying it out has been evolved by the Southern Automobiles, Ltd. The apparatus consists of a pair of cutters, one of which recuts the valve face after it has been removed, whilst the other has the same effect on the valve seating. Into the respective merits of the two processes it is not proposed to enter, but valve grinding is the more common practice, and it can be applied not only to the main engine valves, but to other valves when the need arises. Thus a petrol or water tap sometimes leaks slightly, when it should be removed and the removable part ground in with some fine emery powder.
It will have been gathered that grinding-in of valves is done to restore loss of compression, but this weakness is sometimes due to other causes. For instance, any one of the cylinder joints may be leaking. The sparking plug washer and that upon the valve cap which screws into the opening sometimes leak, and to ascertain if this is the case some paraffin should be squirted round these washers and the engine turned round just to come on to the compression stroke. When pulled slowly over the compression stroke the presence of bubbles will indicate if there is any leakage at these points. If there is leakage new washers must be used. On no account should any adhesive mixture, such as boiled oil or gold size, be put on the screw threads. This is sometimes done to obtain good compression, but it is inadvisable, on account of the extreme difficulty in separating the parts later.
Peter Salmonford is a keen fan of cars, and likes to write about antique and modern vehcles. Take a look at his other articles on hydrogen conversion, the benefits of an electric car kit and using browns gas in your own car.
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Expert auto care for the luxury cars
By Mechanic Mechanic
Where to get the best automobile care
The buyers of passenger and other cars are not as finicky about maintenance as are the owners of the luxury cars. As one can well assume, the elite branded cars cost a lot and their owners do not hesitate to spend in their maintenance and repair. Therefore, they only go for the best car service providers.
No matter how expensive or gorgeous a car is it requires undergoing maintenance and revamping from time to time. However, not every car service and repair company is equipped with enough trained manpower and machinery to deal with the high end cars like jaguar and Mercedes. A car owner who has a luxurious car needs to choose a car Service company that will treat his car with utmost care and professionalism.
Audi is an elite carmaker that is known for its avant-garde and feature loaded cars. The Audi owners should give the cars to a repairing company that has staffs trained by Audi itself. The cars from the stable of Audi come with high end and complex diagnostic systems installed. A mechanic dealing with the Audi cars should have enough knowledge in these systems.
Other high end cars like the Porsche and BMW has many parts of the engine that are controlled by a computer chip. Therefore a car service center needs to have mechanics who are well versed in troubleshooting and servicing these components. For the maintenance of Audi cars, a mechanic having knowledge of the Audi Logbook service is required. This is imperative to ensure that the car performs optimally without any glitch.
As a matter of fact, the prestigious car brands like Volkswagen and Audi are considered by the car owners as much more than a four wheeled machine. For them, these cars are a means to flaunt their status. They can make ones neighbors green with envy and fill the owner with pride. The rich and elite people also opt for cars from leading manufacturers like Lexus and BMW.
The owners of BMW need to give their cars to an automobile maintenance and repair company that has staffs expert enough to deal with these sophisticated machines. An expert mechanic having knowledge in BMW mechanical repairs and BMW Logbook service can keep the cars in proper shape. The company makes various models and each requires different approach for effective preventive maintenance.
Another very expensive car is Jaguar that has a niche buyer segment. This car stands for the perfect blend of craftsmanship and engineering. They are built to stand the test of time, and expert maintenance can lengthen their life. If a person is looking for an ideal car repair and maintenance company for taking care of his luxury car, he can select Eastern Suburbs Automotive without any doubt. It has the certification and infrastructure to cater to the luxury cars.
Peter Rogers is author of this article on Audi service repairs .
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Well-Connected Automotive Security: Blending Multiple Products Into One Integrated Safety System
By Mike Trudel
Despite advances in technology and the development of new automotive security devices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that auto theft occurs every 26.4 seconds in the United States. To put that figure in perspective, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in 2006 alone.
Most likely, vehicle owners experience great distress with the loss of such an important possession. But according to a National Insurance Crime Bureau survey conducted in 2007, consumers are often unaware of the extent of the cost involved with a stolen vehicle. For starters, there’s the insurance deductible and the further expense of replacing uninsured or underinsured vehicles. Additional costs can also come in the form of insurance premium increases, the cost of time spent dealing with police, vehicle rental costs and the cost of time off from work.
While it’s imperative that car owners observe security measures to discourage theft, vehicle manufacturers possess a visionary understanding of automotive safety and security that reaches far beyond keyless entry and theft-deterrent systems. The concept of seamless blending of multiple products into one Integrated Safety System may further increase automotive security and a car owner’s peace of mind.
Perhaps one of the most reliable theft protection systems available, Vehicle Immobilization Systems use an electronic code transmitted from a transponder (tag) located in the vehicle’s ignition key to allow or disallow the engine management system to start the vehicle. To start a vehicle equipped with such a system, the driver places the tag near the ignition lock. Stored within the tag is a unique security code. The security code signal is sent via a transponder. When the correct code is received, the vehicle is allowed to start up.
In addition, the system can also allow personalized settings by an individual driver for memory seats, mirrors and keyless vehicle features.
Unlike Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) systems which operate with an ultra-high-frequency (UHF) carrier, immobilization systems operate at low frequency (125kHz). In most designs, the transponder is located within the head of the ignition key. However, vehicle manufacturers might also locate the tag in a key fob or card.
Another opportunity to increase automobile security and convenience may be the elimination of keys. Since the inception of the automobile, drivers have fumbled around in pockets and purses, trying to locate their keys - a potentially dangerous task in a dark parking lot. With RKE systems technology, the vehicle recognizes a driver’s fob and unlocks the door. The system also allows drivers to start and drive cars without inserting a key. For additional security, proprietary communication algorithms help ensure that the authentication codes contained in the fob will not be intercepted.
One keyless vehicle system uses a start/stop button enabled with a fob. Another uses a fingerprint scanner that allows only people whose fingerprints are stored in the system to start the vehicle. Systems also offer seat and steering column position and radio station features. A passive entry back-up provides for low-battery conditions.
Another choice for automobile buyers, RKE systems may assist in reducing car theft. Among the vehicle features that can be controlled from a distance are central door locking/unlocking, a panic alarm, an anti-theft warning system, a courtesy light and seat/mirror adjustment. Additional conveniences include integration of keyless actuation and tire pressure monitor and a variety of button configurations for customization.
Drivers not only have to be concerned with theft of a vehicle but also theft of its content and components, such as wheels, radios, and personal possessions. Technology for an Ultrasonic Interior Protection system triggers an alarm when movement in the vehicle’s interior is detected. Any changes in inclination (tilting) also trigger a warning. The microprocessor with digital signal processing requires low power consumption and is integrated into one control unit - making it an attractive safety feature for manufacturers and consumers.
Products and new automotive design features can help consumers protect their vehicles from theft and improve safety. From simple components to fully integrated systems, safety technology continues to be explored and innovated.
Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer for Delphi. Delphi Corp. is a leading innovator of automobile safety equipment and technology. To learn about Delphi’s safety advancements, visit www.Delphi.com, www.Delphi.com/4Innovation or www.Delphi.com/4Safe.
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Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 12:40 pm and is filed under automotive. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
