GENERAL MAINTENANCE
AIJSTIN-HFALEY SPRITE
reaches the bearings at. a reduced pressure of approximately
35 lbs. per sq. in (2.46 kg./cm.'). Therefore, to ensure only
filtered oil is supplied to the bearings it is essential to renew the
filter element at 6,000 miles (10,000 km.) or when the oil pressure
gauge indicates the change is necessary by a fall in pressure.
Rertewing Filter Element: First drain the filter by removing the
centre fixing bolt from the base of the container. With the bolt
removed it will be necessary to support the container by hand
until all the oil has drained away. Withdraw the container com-
plete with the element. Slide out the filter element and, using a
non-fluffy cloth, thoroughly clean out the container internally and
externally. Insert a new element in the container, and holding
the centre fixing bolt in position against the bottom of the
container, fill with new oil. Now, still holding the bolt in this
position, locate it in the filter head casting and tighten just
sufficiently to make an oil tight joint.
This is the only attention likely to be required. The filter con-
tainer should not be removed or drained, once a new element has
been fitted, until element renewal is required.
Oil Pressure: The oil pressure gauge indicates whether the oiling
system is working properly. It should be looked at occasionally
while the engine is running.
The engine oil pressure may rise to over 60 lbs. per sq. in. (4.2
kg./cm.') when the engine is first started up in cold weather, but
after the oil has circulated and become warm the pressure will drop
to 60 lbs. per sq. in. (4.2 kg./cm.') with a proportionately lower
idling pressure.
Never run the engine if the gauge fails to register a pressure or
if the prbssure is very low. Switch off and investigate the cause of
the failure as otherwise serious damage might result.
Full Flow Filter: Before reaching the engine bearings the oil is
passed through a full flow filter at a controlled pressure of
approximately 60 lbs. per sq. in. (4.2 kg./cm.'). Some pressure
is lost in passing the oil through the filter element and this pressure
loss will become more pronounced as the element becomes
coated by foreign matter removed from the oil.
A balance valve is provided in the filter unit to guard against
the possibility of the filter becoming completely choked and
thereby preventing the oil from reaching the bearings. This
balance valve is set to open when there is a pressure difference
between the oil on the inside and the oil on the outside of the
filter element of 15 lbs. per sq. in. (1.06 kg./cm.'). When the
valve is open, un-filtered oil by-passes the filter element and
FUEL SYSTEM
FUEL is stored in a rear mounted tank of 6 gallons (27 litres)
capacity. An A.C. mechanical'Y' type fuel pump, operated by
the engine camshaft, draws fuel from the tank and delivers it under
pressure to two S.U. type H.l carburetters. Twin 'pancake'
type air cleaners filter the air to the carburetter intakes.
Fuel Pump: This is bolted on the left-hand forward side of the
engine crankcase and has a suction pipe from the tank and an
outlet pipe to the carburetters. A p riming lever is fitted to
enable the carburetters to be primed by hand, should the fioat
chambers become dry due to evaporation. If petrol appears to
be leaking from the edge of the pump diaphragm, tighten the
covers screws alternately. Sometimes such leakage may actually '
come from one of the pipe unions causing the fuel to run down
to the pump and collect around the diaphragm flange.
The pump filter should be examined and cleaned if necessary.
Access to it is gained by removing the dome cover, after un-
screwing the retaining screw, when the filter gauze itself may be
lifted off its seating. Clean out the sediment chamber and clean
the filter gauze in an air jet or petrol. The gasket under the filter
cover should be replaced if broken or if it has hardened.
When refitting the cover, make certain that the fibre washer is
replaced under the head of the screw. Tighten the filter cover
retaining screw just sufficiently to make a fuel tight joint.
Engine Details.
1. Oil level dipstick.
2. Oil Jilter securing bolt.
3. Distributor micrometer
adj uster.
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