Avoid overheating problems, check levels regularly WHEN A cooling system fails, the engine overheats. And when a car overheats for very long, metal engine parts can be seriously dam- aged and require expensive repair. Overheating can result when the coolant level is too low or when there is a leak in the system. Sometimes just driving in stop- and-go traffic on a hot <“mmer day with the air conditions. runn- ing is enough to averheat the engine. Coolant loss A low coolani level !eads to overheating because there isn't enough fluid in the system to ab- sorb. engine feat. The air in the system that is absorbing these high temperati‘es is a poor heat con- ductor and won’t do an effective job of transferring the heat to the radiator. .Cars with coolant recovery tanks have markings on the white - plastic tank indicating where coolant levels should be when the car is running and when it’s not. If the coolant level is low after repeated fillings, you probably have a leak in the system. Coolant hose leaks Hoses are the most likely source of leaks because they are structu- rally the weakest components of the cooling system. Hoses must be flexible to absorb vibrations, so they are made of rubber com- peunds. Rubber, unfortunately, is Act as durable as metal. Intense engine heat can harden ‘ and crack even the best rubber; oil can‘soften and swell it; the simple passage of time can break down its. internal bonding; and elec- trochemical degradation can crack the tube. In many instances, hose leaks oceur at faulty connections to the inlet and outlet pipes. Make cer- tain the hose clamps are secure. When replacing a hose, it’s also a-good idea to replace the clamps. Traditional worm-drive clamps or the new constant tension clamps are best. To extend the service life of a hose, keep it away from damaging external elements such as hot manifolds, oil-leaking parts and sharp edges. In these situations, protect the hose with a sleeve. - You should also avoid using the soluble oils found in some coolants, under the assumption they lubricate the water pump. Most modern antifreeze solutions contain all the lubricants a water pump needs. Soluble oil only serves to destroy a hose before its time. Ail cooling system hoses should be inspected every six months. Most often, the upner radiator hose and the curved bypass hose will fail without warning. But, eventually they all will need to be teplaced. Engineers recommend replacing the cooling system hoses roughly every four years. Water pump test it is common to find an occa- sional drop in coolant under the water pump. Excessive leaking, however, indicates a probiem. Housing bolts on the pump should be tight. If they are, and leaking persists, the pump's inner seal is probably damaged and the pump must be replaced, Radiator leaks Radiator leaks are often just the result of a loose petcock or plug. Simple tightening should correct this. The inner seal on the radiator cap should be checked period- ically. 1f the seal is cracked, or the metal parts are rusted, coolant will escape and the cap will fail to pressurize the remaining coolani ‘ adequately. White stains on the radiator point to a more serious problem. These stains result from coolant reacting with the metal parts. Pouring a liquid sealant in the radiator might solve the problem, but chances are gocd that the radiator needs to be repaired or replaced. This is frequently the case with many of today’s alumi- num radiators. Heater leaks Leaks can occur in the heater control valve or in the heater core. A liquid sealant can sometimes heip but, more often than not, the heating system units will have to be replaced. Engine leaks Leaks can occur on the engine block wherever there is a bolted housing, such as the thermostat or water pump housing. You should also inspect the biock's drain plugs and core plugs {aiso known as freeze plugs). Core plugs are holes left in the engine when it is cast and later covered by metal discs. If these discs loosen or corrode, coolani can escape from the block. If leaking continues after you’ve checked ail the hoses, clamp con- nections and metal components of the cooling system, the leak is probably internal. Seniors invited to luncheon THE NORTH Shore Neighbour- hood. House (NSNH) is sponsor- ing an overnight trip to Salt Spr- ing Island. Participants will be led by a naturalist on two of Salt Spring’s loveliest walks. Alrangements have been made for participants to stay at the Harbour House Hotel in Ganges. The trip will run from 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8 to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 9. The fee, which includes trans- portation, double occupancy ac- commodation and the nature walks, is $89. Taxes and meals are not included. Participants are asked to pre- register by Saturday, April 4, and are reminded to bring their gold cards for free ferry service. For more information visit the NSNH at 225 East 2nd St. in North Vancouver, or call 987- 8138. Photo submitted THE TOYOTA PAEVIA van's compact mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout features a unique angled engine design permitting ideal weight distribution and maximum interior space utiliza- tion. Lynn Valley Centre and the North Shore News invite you to piay THE ACADEMY AWARDS SWEEPSTAKES ’s Academy Awards time on Monday evening March 30, so get in on the fun and play our Stars Friends Fun Academy Awards Sweepstakes. Stars Friends Fun will be different and exciting. Just pick up a “Magic Menu” (that’s our contest entry form) at Lynn Valley Centre participating merchants, then enter by phene using your touch-tone telephone. You must phone in your selection by noon on Monday, March 30. Good luck. You could be a winner. Win a trip for you and a friend to Hollywood including airfare, 4 nights hotel accommodation, airport transfers and passes to Disneyland and Universal Studios. ' Marlin , Arranged by nay Travel Win a chance for you and a friend to spend a day as an extra on the set of a movie being filmed i in Vancouver. Courtesy of Extra Personali: ities Win $150.00 in video gift certificates good at Zellers Lynn Valley home entertainment section. Courtesy of Zellers IT’S FUN TO PLAY Just pick up a “Magic Menu’ at Lynn Valley Centre participating merchants then enter by phone using your touch-tone telephone. Lym VALLEY CENTRE Friends serving friends Uynn Valley Centre, 1199 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver