How to Protect - Laid-up Vehicles Many More Commercial Vehicles Are
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Likely to be Stored as the Result of Efforts to Promote Economy, and This Adam from the I.A.E. as to Their Protection is Most Valuable A USEFUL report entitled "Protec tion of Engines and Vehicles in Storage,by Mr. P. V. Lamarque, has been released by the Automobile Research Committee of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex.
As it is quite likely that a considerable number of commercial vehicles, particularly in the haulage sphere, under the Government Scheme, by which those surplus to requirements will be laid up, and paid for, operators concerned would bp well advised to study this booklet.
We have insufficient space to give even a resume of the whole booklet, but will give some notes concerning the appendix, which comprises general routine for the laying-up of vehicles .
Operations Necessary When Vehicle Arrives (a) With the engine hot; drain the sump and refill with clean oil, run engine for a few minutes at fast idling speed; (b) .drain' cooling and fuel systems. Thoroughly wash body, wheels, etc., and clean chassis and springs. Lubricate all chassis points and spray springs with penetrating oil. Clean bright parts of. bodywork, smear all plated parts with petroleum. jelly, Coat all' hinges and wheel nuts with grease.
When engine is cold: (a) remove sparking plugs, pour small quantity of engine oil or lanolized oil (an eggcupful) into each cylinder and replace plugs. Turnengine for a few revolu-• tions by hand or starter; (h) lubricate rocker gear (if overhead valves).
As regards the battery: (a) If in temporary storage, disconnect leads, and smear terminals and posts with petroleum jelly; (13) if laid up for 'an extended peried: remove battery.
Jack up axles on wooden blocks with wheels clear. If not possible, check tyre pressures and innate where neces-. sary. Screen tyres from light by means of. sacking. Good tyres are preferably removed for storing separately in dark place at a temperature not over 60 degrees F They should be washed and given a coat of protective paint.
Lift up seat cushions and leave lying loosely to allow air to circulate. Treat mats and cloth with anti-moth. Close the doors, leaving windows slightly open to allow circulation.
Subsequent routine care should include regular checking of battery condition and tyre pressures, including spare' wheel. If standing on wheels, tyres should be reinflated and wheels rotated part of turn. At monthly intervals it is good practice to lubricate nipples and oil points. All exposed bright parts should be inspected and regreased if necessary.
Some makers recommend, at such intervals, turning engine by starting handle with one of the rear wheels off the ground and transmission in gear, at the same time more oil should be introduced into the cylinders.
Special Precautions Applying to the Storage of Batteries Only sound batteries are suitable for storage over long periods. Regular use and discharge, followed by recharging. is bet method. An alternative is trickle charging, at low rates up to a limit of six to eight months. Freezing of • the electrolte is possible unless battery be protected., but unlikely if in fully charged condition.
An alternative method is to wash out acid and store -after filling with distilled water. Battery should first be given refreshening charge until sp. gr. remains constant for about three hours. The cells should then be filled with three successive changes of fresh water, each remaining for at least one hour, and finally refilled. Then store in reasonably warm place. Another method is to open up the battery, discard the separators and dry off the plates.
Treatment Where Vehicles Are Stored in the Open 'Additional care must be taken to avoid deterioration. On soft ground, sinking may cause rim rust. Avoid, if ' possible, by standing on baulks of timber. If construction of body be likely to trap water, arrangements must besmade for draining. Remove seats and cushions for storage indoors. fillet and exhaust manifold ports should be sealed.
This may be done by removing the carburetter and exhaust manifolds and using well-fitted covers constructed from sheet metal. When standing in a dry and fairly well ventilated place, 'there is little opportunity of moisture gaining access to the cylinders, etc., but when vehicles are standing in the' open, the case is vastly different, and damage may easily be done unless such precautions be taken.
Great care must also be taken to avoid any ill effects through frost, and' in this case complete draining of the water system is essential.
Petrol tanks are sometimes liable to internal corrosion, either when in the open or otherwise. They can be sprayed with engine oil or one of the special oils containing lanoline. Following a long period of idleness, the engine should be started up and allowed to run at a fast idling speed for some minutes before being put under load. ;