269. Operating the Engine. One person should be responsible for the care of an engine. Starting the engine is usually too heavy work for most women. Since a man usually starts a gas engine which the women are to use, it is more important that they know how to stop the engine and to recognize when it is not running properly. A cold engine can be started easier if warmed with hot water.
Running an engine which is out of order may damage it seriously. Have some one show you how to operate your engine. Stop it when not running properly.
270. Points in Caring for Engine. The following are points to keep in mind when operating an internal combustion engine:
1) Black smoke issuing from the exhaust pipe means there is not enough air in proportion to fuel.
2) When an engine misses more explosions than it should, or backfires, the cause is likely to be too much air in the fuel.
3) If the mixture of fuel and air is in the proper proportion, but there is too little of it, the engine will have no power.
4) Premature ignition may be caused by deposition of carbon or soot on the walls of the cylinder; the compression being too high for the fuel used; overheating of the piston, or exhaust valve, or of some poorly-jacketed part.
5) Using too much or a poor quality of lubricating oil, or a mixture too rich in fuel, causes deposition of carbon on the cylinder.
6) The use of too much cylinder oil is indicated by a blue smoke issuing from the exhaust.
7) Pre-ignition, or a bearing out of order, or the engine not being securely fastened to its foundation, causes pounding.