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By Carlene Kfrby "The number one cause of mechanicai failure in cars during the winter lies in corrosion within the cooling system"- Cathy Oliver, assistant service manager with MacDonald Ford in Bowmanville said. Cars shouid be serviced at ieast once a year but more often is preferable depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle. In preparing a car for winter driving there are several things that must be checked and-or serviced. On a vehicle four years old, standard preparation for the colder weather wouid consist of a bumper to bumper check. The first step wouid be to either take your car to a i service station (or if you are mechanically inclined, you may attempt it yourself) for a tune-up. This wouid involve repiac-' ing worn plugs. points,, rotor,' condensor, distributor cap and air filter if necessary. Some cars may need to have the PCV valve and filter repiaced, also. At this time the carburetor and timing wouid be set. Next check the battery. A low battery can cause many unnecessary breakdowns coupied with expensive towing and recharging bills. Remove the caps on your battery and check the fluid level, if it is low then top it off with distiiled water (regular ta p water may be substitut- ee.This faiitates the con-ý duction of the electrie charge from the positive and negative terminais. Once the battery is full, the terminais should be checked for corrosion, cieaned and greased. Likewise check the cables for corrosion and open circuits. It, is vital that the cooiing system. be checked. This includes the anti-freeze, hoses, the rad cap and having the system pessure tested. If necessary, flush the system. and replace the anti-freeze. This can be done at home, but a pressurized systein like that used at MacDonald. Ford ensures the removal of dirt and corrosion. At this time it wouid be a good idea to check ail beits for cracks and tighitness. Another important system to attend to is the muffier and i O-Point Diagnosis 0f Your Ailing Car exhaust system. Check this for exhaust leaks, hoies and-or, perforations.' The front-end suspension including idier arms, bal joints and shocks shôuld be lookedl at in ordeèr to-prevent unexpected problems in, the future. Puliing off the whe eis gives you not only the opportunity to check the brakes for wear but gives you the chance to look at the rear end and the ýdif- ferentiai. While the wheeis are off, it is the perfect opportunity to inspect the tires for cracks and wear. If the tires are wearing more on one side then it- is indicative that the alignment is out. Even though it appears to be a minor concern the. window washer fluid shouid be check- ed and filled and the wipers inspected for mechanicai fit- ness with the blades being replaced if necessary. New cars should not need the cooling system checked the fîrst two years but folowing that time it is advised that a yeariy inspec- tion be made. These newer cars are equipped with an electronic ignition system which wili also require littie or no maintenance at first. Just a littie preventive maintenance can mean the difference between a relative- iy minor service charge now and a major financial outlay in the future. October 24. 1979 Page 15 COOLING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING CAUSE CORRECTION Corrosion' within Cooling System Causes Engine Failure in Winter OVERREATING a., Lack of coolant b. Fan beit 1loose c. Fan beit oîl soaked d. Thermostat sticks closed e. Water pump inoperative f. Cooling systém clogged g. Incorrect ignition ti'ming h. Brakes dragging i. Manifold heat valve thermo- static spring damnaged j.Manifold heat valve stuck due to seized shaft k. Defective radiator cap a. Thermostat remains open b. Extremely cold climate LOSS 0F COOLANT a. Leaking radiator b. Loose or damaged hose c on- nection c. Leaking water pump d. Loose ordamaged heaterhose e. Leaking heater unit f. Leak at cylinder head gasket g. Cracked cylinder head h. Cracked cylinder or block expansion plug loose i. Engine operatîig at toohigh tempe rature j. Radiator cap defective CIRCULATION SYSTEM NOISY a. Pu mp bearings rough b. Fan blades loose or bent c. Fan belt noisy in pulley d. Fan beit inner plies loose The foiiowring diagnosis can be mnade by any motorist while at the wheei of his car. It helps $*-tct dangerous mechanicai ýIA ts, each of which can u-uefatal or injury crashes if letunattended. These car ailments can be cured only by competent technicians. 1. Brake pedal slnks to the floor under llght foot pressure a) worn brake iinings; b) a leak in The braking rsystem. 2. Car pulls constantly to one side when stopping - a) wheel alignment is off; b) brake iining worn on one side or oil-soaked on one side, both due to wheel cylinder failure. 3. Excessive play in the ~hsteerlng - a) worn or faulty steering box; b) worn or faulty steering bal joints, tie-rod ends, reiay rods or idlerarm. 4. Car vibrates at 50-65 mph. a) defective tires; 4b) wheei balance is off . I5. Steering column shim- mies at high or low speeds - a) looseness in front end; b) weak or worn shock absor- bers; c) out-of-round tires with some fiat surfaces. 6. Rear-wheel lockiug upon light application of brakes - the ailment - fauity or leaking où seal. 7. Poor roadability (requliring constant steering to keep if on the road) - a) improper tire inflation; b) faity front or rear suspen- sion. 8. Excessive noise or whlstling in the exhaust sy stem - the ailment - a fauity exhaust systemn which couid lead to dangerous emissions of car- bon monoxide fumes inside the car. 9. Unusual odours inside the car - a general alarmn that ail is not weii with your car and an im- mediate check is required. S 10. Directional si gnal lights inoperative - a) buib burned out; b) defective flasher. *2831d UP. JIJSTFOR YOUR SERVICE 66.BOND STREET WEST, OSHAWA. ONTAIO LlG 1 AS CALL 57"-700 a. Refill Bystem and check for leaks b. Adjust c. Replace fan belt d. Replace thermostat e. Replace water pump f. Clean system and reverse flush g. Retime engine h. Adjust brakes i., Replace spring j. Free manifold heat valve shaft k. Replace radiator cap a, Replace thermostat b. Cover part of radiator area a. Replace or repair b. Tighten or replace hose connec- tions c. Replace water pump d. Tighten or replace hose e. Replace or repair heater côre f. Replace gasket and tighten boits securely and eveniy g. Replace cylinder head h. Make necessary repairs or re- placements i. See overheating causes j. Replace cap a. Replace pump b. Tighten or replace fan blades c. .ress beit with belt dressing or soap and adjust d. Replace fan beit