25
Items on CHART #2
GENERAL SYMPTOMS
The items enumerated in Chart Two are partially a reiteration of some of the items on Chart One. They are
mostly general terms used for the purpose of identifying the symptoms developed by the car. The most of the items
are treated more specifically under the same heading on some of the other charts.
EXCESSIVE WATER CONSUMPTION
WET STEAM
Wet steam is one of the most common causes for a car using more than the normal amount of water. The
steam not being superheated sufficiently, lacks the expansive qualities that it should have, consequently it takes a
great deal more volume to furnish the power to drive the car. A greater volume means that the condenser must do a
greater amount of work and where this amount is more than it can do satisfactorily, the result is that the steam
overflows. Any such overflow means a waste of water. If on an average road a car is running at a moderate speed and
the condenser overflows the steam, either the temperature is too low or the condensing system is at fault (barring
items five and six on Chart Two.)
WATER LEAK
Occasionally very little attention is paid to one or more seemingly slight water leaks. However, when you
stop to think that the water tank capacity is only seventeen gallons, and that a slight leak may waste from one to four
gallons in the course of half a day’s running, it is plain to be seen that a water leak may have something to do with the
total water consumption. Always stop a water leak no matter how slight.
LEAKY STUFFING BOXES
Leaking engine stuffing boxes will waste, during the course of a day’s run, an amount of water which is
surprisingly large, as mentioned before. Leaky stuffing boxes indicate a careless operator. Always keep them tight.
(See Engine Chart Four.)
CONDENSING SYSTEM
If the car persistently uses too much water when the temperature seems to be correct and at the same time no
water leaks can be seen, the chances are that the condensing system is in some way to blame. The condenser pump is
a very important part of a condensing system. In order to have a good condensation and saving of water, the pump
must keep the condenser empty of water and partially of steam. The condenser should run with a partial vacuum. On
all the cars (with the exception of G, K, O, and M) having the suction hose from the condenser to the condenser
pump, there is a possibility that this hose may become rotten and flabby, thus obstructing the suction of the pump. In
looking over the condensing system, it is well to examine this hose occasionally. See that the stuffing boxes on the
condenser pump do not leak air or water. The checks should be examined also to see that there is no dirt or that they
are not worn out of true.
The condenser fan is for the purpose of pulling a greater quantity of air trough the condenser over the
radiating surface than will pass through with a natural draft produced by the speed of the car. If this fan does not run
the air will not carry away as much heat, thus impairing the efficiency of the condenser.
Too often very little thought is given to keeping the condenser tubes clean. If these tubes are covered with
mud, the radiation qualities are greatly hindered. Any mud in the condenser should be washed out with a hose and a
bristle brush.
An imperfect seat or a weak spring on the overflow valve may be the cause for poor condensation by
admitting air to the condenser and preventing the pumps from producing a partial vacuum; also the overflow valve
might become loose where it is screwed into the condenser.
Sometimes a poor grade of oil used in the cylinders, or the steam being at an excessive temperature will
cause the oil in the exhaust steam to deposit in the condenser tubes. This condition spoils the condenser efficiency to
quite a marked amount. The condenser can be cleaned by first pouring kerosene through and flushing with a plentiful
supply of water.
