HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-10-30, Page 43M
deep your engine's cooling yst.em in top condi
Owners of the more fuel-efficient vehi-
cles built since the late '70s are advised of
the importance .of keeping their engine
cooling systems in prime condition.
According to the Automotive Coolipg
System Institute, these engines are more
sensitive to correct operating temperatures
than were their predecessors of a decade
or more ago. Engineers have designeden-
gines to operate at higher temperatures-
due
emperaturesdue to down -sizing of radiators to fit in
small vehicles.
Ten years ago, larger radiators with
seven -pound pressure caps kept the boiling
point of an engine at about 230 degrees.
Today's cars, which have smaller frontal
areas and therefore smaller radiators, have
necessitated a move to 15 -pound pressure
Noises help
spot trouble
Pay attention to a car's warning signals
when it's "acting up" It could pay enor-
mous dividends, says Car Care Council,
which reports cases of catalytic converters
being damaged through neglect of other
components.
Part of the car's exhaust system, the
converter turns carbon monoxide and hy-
drocarbons into harmless carbon dioxide
and water, thereby reducing harmful emis-
sions.
Too many unburned hydrocarbons, as
might occur in the exhaust of a car that
needs a tune-up, would cause the catalytic
converter to become hot. When there's ex-
cessive heat inside the converter, it may
become red hot and destroy itself.
What causes excess burned gas? A clas-
sic case, reports the Council, is the driver
who ignores the fact that his car is running
rough and spewing black smoke from the
exhaust.
He may realize his automatic choke
need's servicing, but delays getting the
work done. Soon his spark plugs.. are
fouled. The engine is misfiring and the
condition is feeding on itself.
The worst is yet to come. Once the cata-
lytic converter is destroyed, excessive
back pressure in the exhaust system burns
the car's exhaust valves.
The repair bill, instead of a possible $75
for a tune-up; now could be $800 for a
rune -up, valve job and a new catalytic con-
verter (which should have lasted tens of
.thousands of miles longer): .
Don't ignore your car's plea for help,
emphasizes the Car Care Council, and do
not use leaded fuel in a car designed for
unleaded fuel only. That, -too, can destroy •
a catalytic converter.
CLINTON
BODY
SHOP
"Got a Ding - Give us a Ring"
*COLLISION WORK a
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STRAIGHTENING
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SPRAY PAINTING
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caps, which push the boiling point of au
engine to 260.degrees. The hotter -running
engines are also more fuel efficient and
less polluting.
Maintaining efficient performance and
long engine life demands conscientious at-
tention to the maintenance of the vehicle.
This places the responsibility on the driver
to be alert to unusually hot or cold engine
operation and to take corrective measures
before damage is done.
This is easy for the owner whose car has
a tefriperature gauge on the instrument
panel. Over -cool operation or progressive
overheating shows up on the dial.
hlor�yever, most cars have warning lights
which often don't indicate trouble until it
is too late. -Four 'owners of these ,:Oars, the
Institute suggests several danger signs to
be aware of.
Poor operation of the heater in -the win-
ter certainly is an indication that the car is
not warming up. A cold -running engine of-
ten causes sluggish performance and poor
fuel economy due to unburned gases. Ad-
ditionally, unburned contaminants in the
oil can cause sludge to build up in the
crankcase.
If it's running too hot, eventually the
warning light will come on. Meanwhile,
however, an indication of a hot -running en-
gine could be knocking or "pinging" un-
der load or a tendency of "after -run" or
dieseling when the engine is shut off.
rrevenow maintenance of the• cool ng
cyst m is the k p g cider of
these symptoms. Annual cleaning and
checking of the system phis lacing the
belts and hoses, as needed, will go a long
way toward prolonging engine life and
maintaiping proper fuel economy.
A special waning goes to motorists why
use their vehicles for towing; Unless the
car is equipped with factory trailer towing
package, it is advisable to have an ad-
ditional engine/transmission cooler
installed.
The automatic transmission is cooled by
the same system that protects the engine
and extreme overheating can damage the
transmission as well as the engine: A case
off double jeopardy.
WINTERIZE -NOW!
ONLY $2200
• Lube, Oil and Filter
• Check Antifreeze
• Check Belts and Hoses
• Check Thermostat
• Check Rad Cap
Get the winter go and skip the winter woe.
Come in and see us now. Let us winterize
•
your car with Genuine GM parts. At
Hometown Motors, we'll see your car is
in tip top shape for trouble-free winter
driving.
Ask us about our specials on block heaters,
interior car warmers, battery warmers, and
power saver cords. This winter meet old man
winter on your terms.
Remember nobody knows your GM car or truck like...
M cGEE PONTIAC EICCADILLAC
GMC TRUCKS
37 Hamilton Street
Goderich 524-8391
OFFER EXPIRES NOVEMBER 29, 1985
73 Mary Street, Clinton
402-9531
Joe Essery, Proprietor
CALL
JIM
PFRIMMER
524-8391
for an
appointment
TODAY
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