1933-08-15 — Page 2

HONG KONG

DAILY "PRESS,

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1933.

THINGS TO WATCH WHEN BUYING SECOND-HAND

Vital Tests That Tell Most Of The Truth

A GREASE GUN MAXIM

BY OWNER-DRIVER.'')

One of the commonest questions; asked by potential motorists to lates to the purchase of a second hand car. How can I be sure," they ask, that I am not buying a perfect dud '1"

SPARKS

FROM THE PLUGS

LEYLAND OIL ENGINE

DEFINITELY A SUCCESS

BRITISH CARS OF BETTER PETROL GOOD NEWS FOR MOTOR CYCLISTS

TO-DAY

14 H.P. Rover PilotTM

It took them four years to place it on the market; we expect

The Rover Pilot saloon is not edit to be good, and it is goud." expensive and has a comfortable That is the reply one obtains from and nice-looking body, a six-cylind- users of the Leyland 8-litre oil en-er engine, fourspeed gearbox, gine, when enquiring after the per- formance of the new unit. It is also a completa vindication of the policy which Leyland Motors, Ltd., has always adopted the policy of never placing & model on the market until every doubt about its possible performance has been over- come. In this instance, the engine embodies a construction which en- sures absolute freedom from bear

trouble.a

a "certain amount of slap when cold. This disappears when the pistons expand with heat.

Worn big ends are beat traced by allowing the engine to pull hard at moderate speeds, and gudgeon The answer is most difficult to pias can be tested by suddenly closing find. Briefly, it is that one shoulding the throttle when travelling buy a used car from an agent of fast, the highest repute. He will not knowingly sell something he knows to be thoroughly bad, It would. not pay him to do so, because most purchasers of second-hand cars are potential purchasers of new ones later on.

Very Difficult.

'

T

I have vetted a good many second hand cars on behalf of now motor-" ists, and I must confess that on no occasion did I feel very satisfied.

Not that I noticed anything seriously wrong; my trouble arose from the knowledge that within ten minutes of the car being taken on the road a rear axle half shaft

might break, a piston crown cave in a timing wheel strip, or the oiling system fail. Short of strip- ping the whole car how can anyone give a guarantee that every part is in fair condition?

In the case of worn big ends there will be hammering, and with worn gudgeon pins a pronounced sort of tinkling.

Look at the nuts on the brake red or cabla ends. If they are screwed right up to the limit of

|

FOR SPAIN

TO BE IMPORTED FOR

BRITISH CARS

#

Many motor cyclists must be Another advantage of this new familiar, with the troubles arising method of suspension is the acces from the usual type of sola motor; sibility afforded; for the acid level cycle battery case becoming worn can now be "topped-up" with the away and resulting in noise and, battery still in position. too often, loss of the entire bat- tery. This was caused by the

An example of the enterprise of metal atrap-type carrier in which British motor car manufacturers the case was enclosed. This diff in their work of popularising their culty had now, however, been with a quiet second as well as products in foreign countries is overcome by the introduction of a third, an easily controlled free-shown by the news that comes from new patepted method of battery wheel, special power unit suspen, Spaio.

suspension in rubber. sion, automatic engine starting, It has been a source of com- Those now sliding roof, and a button on the plaint by people who buy British batteries are anchored in rubber at Lucas motor-cycle dash which shows the quantity of cars in that country that the type each end, and are designed to be oil in the engine sump.

with low speed engines, does not brazed to the machine itself. The of petrol sold there, while suitable carried by two lugs, which are produce such satisfactory results battery is consequently insulated with the higher speed British en- from road shocks and engine gines. The sale of petrol in Spain vibration with the result that its

life is considerably lengthened: is a government monopoly.

The body has two good-sized sliding seats in front and a full seat behind, with three armrests The rear floor is arranged with comfortable "sloping wells. Tbo That the engine is definitely two back doors have large alip success is evident from a brief pockets, there are three shelves.or

Senor Tinao, the Singer re- perusal of the Company's order cupboards in front, three ashtrays presentative in Spain, at the re books for the last few months. with lids and properly placed, the quest of his company, is putting There are almost 25 many oil electrical petrol gauge is combined up a scheme to his Government to engined orders as petrol, which, with the sump oil gauge, and a arrange for the distribution of when one recalls the enormous parcel net is fitted, together with a high grade petrol which will be number of petrol vehicles turned tandem electric wiper and ventr-available to users of British cars.. out by Leyland, is, to say the least, latori in the scuttle. The free. At present it is only possible to their adjustment it is a sign that where one hears complimentary re- front of the driver. The spare Ilona, but if Senor Tinao's scheme

remarkably gratifying. Bverywheel is worked by a handle in obtain high grade petrol at Barce-1 the linings are worn.

marks and, better still, sees excel wheel is at the back with a gridia approved, as doubtless it will be,; lent performance. At Rawtenstall, behind, and the wheel is easily this type of spirit will be available for instance, four oil-engined Laylifted out and placed forward when in all the larger towns and cities, lands have completed 100,000 miles the grid is to be used. Tools are, and, ultimately, throughout the running without the slightest sign in a cupboard under the bonnet, whole of Spain. of trouble, and have been very 'économical in operation. Whereas twelve months ago, there was only one municipality with a Leyland oil engine, there are to-day sixteen, many, of them having sizeable fleets of this type of vehicle, whilst new orders arrivo almost daily.

To test the balance of the brakes drive the car at about 30 miles an hour, and apply them with the wheel. That is not nearly as dan hands released from the steering gerous as it sounds, but of course I do means that you are to pat your hands in your pockets during the" test. Just release, the wheel while keeping the fingers around it.

Any tendency for the car to slew adjustment, and this may or may across the road indicates faulty

not be a simple matter to remedy. not a very expensive business, and In any case, relining the braces is provided the car is in good con dition otherwise it should not be

I once, and once only, sold one of my ears direct to a beginner. He was thoroughly gentlemanly over the transaction. but he was obviously distrustful. I demon-condemned on that score, strated that ear several times. I drove it up and down the Khyber Pass, put it through watersplashes

and

Over the roughest roads I knew around Glasgow. It was driven dead slow, very fast, in all gears, and, all that sort of thing, yot he was not altogether happy.

Certainty Impossible. He had heard tales, you see, of nsed cars and the sellers thereof,! At last, he asked for a guarantee. I positively declined to give one, and then he bought..

Years afterwards he told mu that, barring a Broken windscreen glass, he had not had the slightest trouble, and I confess that the news relieved my feelings somewhat. So far as I knew, that car was in perfect condition, but I did not

know,

faith.

Steering Points.

While driving, test how the ar can be placed on the road and kept thera That is to say, look for any tendency towards wandering Wandering means slack or worn steering gear, and this again may simply mean slight adjustments to effects a cure.

Put the near side wheels well down the slope on the near side of the road, and note whether the car will stay there, without having to steer heavily against a tendency to run farther down,

"LUSTY BRITISH BABY"

in

HILLMAN MINX IN SOUTH AFRICA.

and there is a detachable board under the bonnet by which all the back of the instruments he easily seen and got al.

The Engine.

Cél-

the

The sale of British cars in Spain, is such that this scheme for better petrol is meeting with con- siderable support "in the country

1

The engine has overhead valves 43.35 at 4,400 1.p.m.; no of main worked by pushrods, and the cover Jearings, 4; overall forward gear over the mechanism can be detach- ed by hand. Timing is by chain ratioe, 5.22, 7.93, 11.85, and 21.1 with outside adjustment, and to 1; petrol capacity, gals; mak er's estimate of petrol consump there is a new design of head and inlet pipe, while

downtion, 25 mpg.; tires, 18-4.6in. ; draught carburettor is need. The turning circle, 40ft.; "wheel-base, ingoing mixture is heated and the 8ft. Bin.; track, 4ft 3in. ground clearance, in.; weight of car, exhaust pipe is taken away

23cwt.; price, £258. trally. Water drainage is conveni- Thus does an East London (Southent, there is a large tap for African) Motorist describe his car jackets, one for the radiator and alight-hearted letter to its combined with the fan and has nu one below the impeller, which is makers-lusty British baby." He tells of a tour he made to Vic-side are the make-and-break and external gland. Also on the near- toria Falls and back, and possibly distributor, which are easy to see; the fact that he was on his hones- the starter, which is also handy, moon, added a certain rose-coloured and on the dash the startix and hue to the view he saw through coil. the windscreen. Travelling north-dummy-shuttered front.

The radiator has a veed words, the route lay through Johannesburg and Bulawayo, but on the return journey a deviation was made via Durban, Pondoland and Transkei, so that, including leness detours and odd runs, no less a distance than 3,280 miles was cover:

Slight play on the wheel means little or nothing, new cars have play on the wheel within a few hundred miles. But having to turn the wheel balfway round before moving the rond wheels is a dangered. " signal."

Testing for Transmission Wear. wear in the transmission system, To test roughly for excessive jack up the rear wheels and engage top gear. of the rear wheels by hand, and Now turn one or both note how far it will turn before re-

And no agent, taking back a car | in part payment, can possibly know that car in every detail. All one has to rely on is his good Best Practicable Test. The "expert" friend is general ly some one who has driven a car a few years without a serious acsistance is felt. cident. That, generally speaking, is the only justification for his as

suming the role

Do not rely on him; far better employ some one backed by a powerful organisation like the Automobile Association to examine the car and to furnish a written reports The small fee charged may save you many pounds and much

road trouble and anxiety.

But even these experts chanot bo absolutely certain; they would be the first to admit that. But I have seen them at work, and they cer- tainly do everything possible to protect the purchaser.

Watch These Things. Most people are deeply interest ed in the condition of the engine, but just as many people judge an engine by its looks. How anyone can tell the condition of power unit by looking at it I do not pre tead to know, yet that is about the only examination possible while the car is in, the showroomin.

Here again there always will he found, a certain amount of play Cars, but should the wheels turn more than an inch or two leave the car alone. Wear between the bevel pinion and the crown wheel can be tested by braking the rear wheels and putting the gears in neutral, and then turning the propeller shaft by hand.

even on brand new

יי

Examining the Coachwork.

On the Road,”

The car has great charm of gent-

and quietness, yet por- surge of power. The saloon soon sesses a finer and more spontaneous

Beginning his married life as ly reached and maintained with rung ip to speed and 30 is quick- he meant to continue, our friend

ease and a high degree of refinc made his bride do'most of the work lady master the task that on fav-in fact, there is an impression of of driving, and so quickly did the

The clutch and change. ment. speed are simple and light to work ourable stretches of road we are lightness in Minx, by the way-was given the transmission is obtained without informed that the car-a Hillman throughout the car.

the right places Free or fixed gun." This, it appears, does not mean that the chassis was greased the startix is there should the quiet effort or noise of any kind, and up, but merely that the accelerator engine, stop aftek idling when pedal was pressed against the free-wheeling. I liked the steering," floorboards to such effect that, as Johannesburg and Staudefton were action, however, is always very an instance, the 108 miles between though a driver can feel the sus movement a little. The covered in 24 hours-an average speed of over 43 m.p.h. Despite light, yet reliable, and the three- this use of the gun," however, spoke wheel is easy to handle. The least thirety member of the party we are told that the Minz was the suspension allows the car to travel evenly and reasonably. smooth, as she consumed only one gallon per 38 miles. (We hope that this

pension

especially at the higher rates, bat it would be better were some wheel

of the coachwork is a guide to the The only mishaps were two punc manner in which the car has been tures, but otherwise, apparently kept, but only a guide.

Far too the trip was one long dream of many owner-drivers keep the car polished, but neglect to lubricate the many vital parts.

Generally speaking the condition is metaphorically speaking bounce damped out: The brakes

bliss.

او

pedal or hand, in either direction. The lever has a proper handle wore fully satisfactory, both by

and is not the flimsy affair too often now supplied on cats.

De- cent entrance is given by all four doorways," and it is possible for a

near-side.

Crinkled mudguards are an abo- ALBIONS FOR RAILWAYS driver to reach his sent from the mination, and a pointer. They point to carelessness or absence of driving skill, and bashed guarda in all probability mesa damaged gear wheela.

+

ORDERS BY L.M.S, AND L.N.E.R.

About 35, 30 and 60 miles an hour are the comfortable greatest rafes, though, given space, a little The doors should open and close

more can be done on top. The casily, the locks slam home with

load was alightly more than usual Insist on the car being driven precision, and the doors themselves More and more road vehicles are and the roads were damp. There fairly fast for a good many miles, should be tight on their hinges. being put into service by the Rail was but little wind. Fifty-two and then check the oil level after Beratches and Rust. X way Companies and, where direct miles an hour was reached on the the run against what it was before "Look at the panelling just below delivery work from goods depois stretch and the 30 at the foot of it. Excessive oil consumption in the windscreen pillars. If it is is concerned, the lighter types of the new Dashwood Hill was m dicates with certainty the need for cracked, that is a sign that the machines are in demand The creased at the top by oight miles roboring the cylinders, or, at best, frame is moving at the joints, LN.E.R. have recently placed a an hour With an excellent the Atting of new rings.

Another condition test is to let finitely is no cure for loose joints overtype Albions, while the LMS. of the old hill 25 was shown at the,

which have become slack. There de repeat order for eight 30/35 cwt standing start on third at the foot the engine idle for several minutes in the coachwork except building. after it has been heated up pro

are purchasing five bonnet type

With the free-wheel in erest, Scratches on the cellulose are of 40/45 cut. Albione. A number of use, silent changes can be made perly and then to accelerate the little importance if the panelling 4-ton overlype machines were re straight through into any gear up engine suddenly.

is of aluminium, but serious if of cently added to the fleet of Albions or down and without use of the iron or steel, because rust will soon operated by the LN.E.R., while clutch after the engine speed has make the whole thing shabby, mine bonnet type batonners with been allowed to drop, while to Blotches, however small in the heavy oil engines have recently been obtain fixed transmission it is only safety glass indicate a short life ordered by the L.M.8, necessary to put the car under for the sheets so affected, and it Albions have, of course, had for slight load by genlle acceleration, should be borne in mind that wind many years a very high reputation easing the clutch, and turning the screens with too many such blotches with railway companies, both at

hand wheel are can offence under the Road home and overseas. A repeat or Traffic Act

eder was recently placed by the East Indian Railway, this time for

Whitish smoke from the exhaust indicates that. oil has been drawn up into the combustion chambers, and the greater the volume of smoke, the greater the wear

Tracing the Faults When the engine is started up from dead cold listen carefully for noise of piston alap, but do not over emphasise this Care Atted Kluminium pistons fill have

Now, then do you feel confident to ret, a second-hand car

3-ton lorry for use in Calcutta.

Specification-No of cyls., 6; size, e1 by 30 mm.; capacity: 1,577 .c. nominal .p. 13.84; 6.b.p., (Continued on next enlumu),

95 M.P.H. WITH 9 H.P.

A 9 h.p car has been driven at amazing for so low-powered a car, speed of 05 m.p.h. This speed. was achieved by Mr. Teach, a New Singer for the dash, which Zealander, who specially tuned his.. offelally checked by time-keepers. was a production model and

It is noteworthy that the engine not supercharged.

A

SHOCK ABSORBER

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MOTOR CAR INSURANCE-

A. A. U

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*30234-5

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Trust A Thornycroft With Your Transport

DEAL DIRECT

THORNYCROFT

SIX-CYLINDERED

COACHES & OMNIBUSES

MOTOR VEHICLES

Pioneer Manufacturers of Commercial Motor Vehicles'

Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong and Shanghat,

4 or 6 Wheels

4 or 6 Cylinders

30 Cwt to 10 Ton Loads

20 to 70 Passengers

JOHN L THORNYCROFT & CO., LIMITED,

Pioneer Building, Nathan Road, Kowloon,

TEL. 66752.

TRUST A THORNYCroft With Your TraNSPORT

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