When your brake pedal seems low, the
problem isn't always your brakes. Once you've checked for air
in your brake lines, take a look at the tension on your front
wheel bearings. Oftentimes a loose wheel bearing will generate
the same symptoms as a problem in the braking system.
THERMOSTATISTICS
Heat can
serve as both friend and foe of the internal-combustion
engine. While controlled amounts of engine heat can build
power, higher inlet air temperatures will consume power,
approximately one horsepower for every 10-degree increase- as
air density drops. One way to reduce inlet air temperature is
to replace a 180- or 190-degree thermostat with a 160-degree
version. In the summer months, the 160-degree thermostat will
allow the engine to build sufficient heat to operate correctly
while reducing the heat buildup within the intake manifold.
The 160-degree thermostat also produces higher inlet air
density and more consistent power. Not for engines with
computer controls.
Old troubleshooting tool
You have an engine
cylinder that is not as strong as the rest, and you have
determined that it is getting spark, but something is wrong
internally.
A simple tool that can
sometime locate the fault is the following:
Take an old spark plug
that fits the engine, remove all of the porcelain and the
center electrode, leaving just the outer shell. Braze an air
fitting into the shell.
Now turn the engine over
until the piston in the suspect cylinder at TDC (top dead
center) on the compression stroke. Insert the modified plug
and apply 60-80 psi air to the cylinder. You want enough air
to follow through the procedure, but not enough to turn the
engine. With air pressure in the cylinder, listen 1. if you
hear air bubbles, it may be a leaking head gasket; 2. if you
hear air in the exhaust, it may be a leaking intake valve; 3.
air coming up through the carb, it may be a leaking intake
valve; 4. a hissing from the oil fill tube or dipstick tube
would indicate a piston or piston ring problem.
This simple homemade
device can save a lot of time in diagnosing a problem.
engine. While controlled amounts of engine heat can build
power, higher inlet air temperatures will consume power,
approximately one horsepower for every 10-degree increase- as
air density drops. One way to reduce inlet air temperature is
to replace a 180- or 190-degree thermostat with a 160-degree
version. In the summer months, the 160-degree thermostat will
allow the engine to build sufficient heat to operate correctly
while reducing the heat buildup within the intake manifold.
The 160-degree thermostat also produces higher inlet air
density and more consistent power. Not for engines with
computer controls.
