HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-10-29, Page 28Page 6
Cold and moist weather blamed dor ear starting woes
Whether it's snowing or not, high and
precipitation will cause tens of thousands of
motorists starting and stalling trouble this
winter.
Worn spark plugs, cracked ignition leads,
a dirty distributor cap and loose drive belts
can all pay havoc with a car's ignition
systems, according to Larry Koles,
Manager of Technical Programs at Cham-
pion Spark Plug Company.
"Winter starting problems are two -fold,"
Koles says.
"Colder temperatures can decrease the
starting power of the battery, and problems
in the ignition system cause the battery to
run down faster in futile starting attempts."
A new or recharged battery tend to hid the
problems temporarily, causing starting pro-
blems tc recur,
"Many starting problems can almost
always be traced to a wet ignition systems,"
Koles says.
"Moisture from rain or melting snow
often settles in the engine compartment.
Salt and road grime can accumulate in the
engine compartment and retain moisture,"
he says.
"If the moisture doesn't burn off, the
unintentional electrical path for the spark
may prevent it from reaching the plug."'
Spark plugs that have seen to many miles
are often the culprit. "The spark will jump
where there is the least resistance. If the
gap is too wide or there's soniething causing
a disruption in the spark's path, the spark
will leak through the wire," Koles says.
Leaking plug wires can often be diagnosed
by letting the engine run in a dark area and
observing the plug wires for leaking sparks.
If sparks are visible, the wire where the
spark is leaking should be examined for
wear and damage and replaced if
necessary.
The same holds true for the distributor
cap according to Koles.
"Moisture on top of the cap can prevent
the spark from reaching the plug," he says.
"Dry of the top and inside of the cap with a
towel or hair dryer, and the car should
start."
He also advises motorists to check the
distributor cap for signs of electrode wear,
cracks that may allow moisture to seep in,
and carbon tracks that may indicate shor-
ting
of the spark,
Driving in the rain and through slush can
also drown out an ignition systems
"Water can slip under a loose -fitting in-
sulator boot and short out the spark plug,"
he says.
Check the spark plug boots for snugness.
Loose -fitting boots should be replaced.
Water can also cause drive belts to slip,
resulting in a loss of the charging system's
voltage to the battery. Check the alternator
belt for tension and wear. If the belt does not
show signs of wear, simply adjust to the pro-
per tension.
Koles says an annual tune-up is still the
best insurance for a Sure start.
Winter is
especially
hard on
windshield
•
wipers
Windshield wipers are among the most
crucial safety features on your car. Yet
statistics show that seven out of 10 cars on
the road need new wiper blades, and an even
higher percentage have some trouble in the
wiper system.
Here's how to maintain your windshield
wiper system:
•Blades which hold the rubber "squee-
gees" or refills, should be changed every
one to two years. The rubber refills should
be replaced about twice a year, in the spring
and fall. If wipers receive greater than
average use, or you leave your car outdoor,
change blades and refills more frequently.
Always replace in pairs..
Wiper arms should be checked, too, for
proper alignment. Insert a business card
• between the windshield and the rubber refill •
when the arm is at mid -arc. If at some point
the windshild does not contact the refill, the
wiper arm needs realigning.
•The windshield washer 'fluid reservoir
should be checked monthly and refilled as
needed. In the winter, check it weekly. Don't
get caught with an empty reservoir when
the -windshield gets splashed with dirt!
•"Chattering" describes the noise and
jerky motion that occurs when the wipers
fail to glide smoothly across the windshield.
Check the following possible causes: a) the
rubber refills are worn: b) the blades are in-
stalled improperly: c) the arm tension
needs adjusting: d) worn linkage.
•Apply lubricant to the transmission arms
and pivot shaft assemblies in the windshield
wiper motor once a year to prevent wear. If
the motor fails to turn on, shut off or return
to the park position, it should be checked
and serviced by a professional.
Wiper and washer systems need special
care during the winter because snow and ice
can damage the system. Lift wiper blades
carefully from the frozen windshield before
cleaning to prevent rubber refills from tear-
ing or cracking.
Also, remove packed snow and ice from
the ,windshield before turning off the wipers.
If thip- blades cannot reach the bottom of
their arc, the, wiper's motor may -still draw
current after it's turned off - burning out a
fuse or causing motor damage. Make sure
the washer system nozzels are always free
of snow.
PONTIAC BUICK CADILLAC GMC TRUCKS
37 HAMILTON STREET GODERICH
524-8391 1-800-265-5507