THE CARE OF THE MAGNETO.
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Some Common Faults which can Easily be Rectified.
MLLE magneto is one of the most delicate and least under_11.. stood components of the motor vehicle, and of all the troubles to which an automobile may be subject magneto troubles are often the most puzzling.
A little time spent in keeping the magneto efficient will be well tepaid, and there are one or two small things which may be done without difficulty and which will maintain the magneto et its best, thus tending to ensure freedom from trouble.
Probably the place at which trouble is most likely to occur is at the platinum points of the contact breaker. These points occasionally become burnt and it then becomes necessary to file them up carefully, using a very smooth file. When doing this one should be very careful to make the two noints parallel with each other in the working position, as shown in the sketch at the left.
After having filed up the points it is necessary to touch them VP with a piece of the finest possible emery cloth, after which the dust should be carefully wiped away with a piece of linen moistened with a little petrol.
Occasionally a magneto does not work efficiently owing to the presence of dirt or grease on the points. To cure this some people clean the points by passing a piece of paper, which has previously been soaked in petrol, between them. This is quite a good method, but it is necessary to make quite sure that no shreds of paper are left behind upon the contacts.
When the points are open, in order that the machine may run efficiently it is necessary for the gap between them to be a predetermined amount, which should not be exceeded.
The points must therefore be adjusted to the correct figure1 which in a modern magneto will probably lie between .015 in. and .020 in., at, frequent intervals, The adjustment is perfectly simple, being done merely by unlocking the screw, turning it slightly, and securing in the correct position by a lock-nut.
Another source of trouble which may cause poor and irregular sparking lies in the fibre heel of the rocker arm, which beemnes worn after haring run for a more or less lengthy period. To remedy this the block must be filed up to the true profile and the platinum points readjusted to suit the new position of the rocker arm. If the fibre be worn far down 'it will• be necessary to fit a new arns and block complete.
The rocking arm is mounted upon a fibre bush, and in damp weather this bush is apt to swell, consequently the rocking arm may stick in its open position, and when the's occurs no spark will result. To remedy this the various parts must be removed and the bearing eased.
Another source of trouble which 'slould receive a little attention from time to time is the collector ring, which
is situated at the opposite end of the armature to the contact breaker. This should be cleaned occasionally with a piece of the finest glass-paper e being finelly polished with a clean piece of linen bearing the slightest trace of vaseiine.
The carbon brushes must be kept perfectly clean and should work quite freely in their holders without being unduly slack.
Care should be exercised to see that no carbon or other dust becomes deposited in the machine, and all cotmections and contacts must be kept tight and cleans Dampness sometimes causes trouble, and this may be cured by removing the magneto from the vehicle, wrapping it in a dry cloth and keeping it in a warm atmosphere.