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press down simpling pedal. If engine starts to move the throttle is leaking. Should the simpling pedal refuse to move
be very careful about pressing it suddenly, as the engine will probably race. The best way to release the steam, which
is imprisoned in the steam chest, is to give the pedal a few sharp kicks thus releasing the steam a little at a time.
ENGINE JERKS WHEN CHANGING FROM SIMPLE TO COMPOUND
When starting the car on the street the simpling pedal should be held down until the engine has caused the
car to pick up some momentum. When releasing the pedal allow it to come back to compound position with a snap. If
the pedal is allowed to come back slowly there will be a short interval of time when the engine is neither compound
nor simple and working against itself. This will cause it to jerk the drive shaft violently. If the stuffing boxes on the
simpling valve stems are too tight they offer enough resistance to the simpling spring to cause the change from com-
pound to simple to take place too slowly. All these packing boxes should be kept well oiled, so that the spring can
work the parts freely. If the simpling spring is weak it may give this same condition.
ENGINE REFUSES TO START
If at any time when the throttle is open the engine does not start promptly do not turn on more steam, but
close the throttle and ascertain the reason. Should the engine have just been reassembled there would be the
possibility of the valves not being set correctly. Examine the little pass-over valve rocker arm an see that it is adjusted
to give a movement of at least one thirty-second of an inch to the pass-over valve stem. If this valve does not open
and the high-pressure cylinder happens to be on dead center the low pressure cylinder will receive no steam and the
engine will refuse to start. This can be detected by raising the hood and working the simpling pedal. Also notice if the
low-pressure poppet valve is adjusted so that it seats. In case it does not the steam which passes through the pass-over
valve passes directly through into the condenser without starting the engine. To detect this condition simple the
engine and try turning the valve stem with a pair of pliers. In case it is not seating it will turn very easily. It is very
common for the driver to forget to press down upon the simpling pedal when starting. Make it a habit always to do
this. Sometimes the reverse lever is thrown in the center notch.
In this last case the valves are covering all the admission ports to the cylinders and the steam will not be
admitted.
STUFFING BOXES WILL NOT REMAIN TIGHT
Contrary to the experience of some the stuffing boxes on the engine should need little, if any, attention. This
assertion, is made, however, on condition that the stuffing boxes have been broken in properly. In starting a new
engine or an engine that has just been packed throughout care should be exercised during the first two weeks in regard
to the stuffing boxes. The packing is new, consequently it is very soft and is not formed to the shape of the piston rod.
The stuffing boxes should be tightened up daily, without being allowed to leak, for the first two weeks, then an
additional ring of packing should be inserted in each box. After the packing has once become seated, provided it has
not been allowed to leak enough to start a steam groove, the stuffing boxes should then with the proper handling of
the throttle last the rest of the season. We know of one instance where a thirty horse power car has finished its second
season and still has the same packing which was put in it at the factory. At the beginning of the second season a little
additional packing was put in each stuffing box.
If the steam is hot and the proper lubrication is lacking the packing may become hard and dry enough to
score the piston rod. Once this has happened the packing cannot be made to seat tightly, and the engine should be
repacked throughout after refinishing the rods.
Any scoring, rough spots or nicked places on either the valve stems or piston rods will become a source of
constant annoyance by causing leaks. This little rough place in moving up and down through the packing cuts exactly
like a saw tooth and will continue to cut a groove through which the steam will escape as long as it is allowed to
remain on the rod. Such a rough spot is sometimes caused by allowing the stuffing box wrench or tool to slip and
strike the rod causing a slight abrasion of the surface. If there is any suspicion that the rods have rough places they
should be removed and smoothed down by draw filing or better still by refinishing in a lathe.
For item "D" packing caught under edge of gland, see directions for packing stuffing boxes, Chapter Four.
If the throttle leaks while the car is standing, pressure of steam will accumulate in the steam chest. This may
force its way through the valve stem stuffing boxes, thus starting a steam groove in the packing. Under running
