28 - Friday, July 26, 1991 - North Shore News AUTOMOTIVES Check those timing belts now before disaster strikes THE EXPRESSION ‘timing is everything’ certainly applies to your car’s engine. Valves and pistons must coordinate perfectly with the spark plugs and fuel in- jectors. It all happens with microsecond accuracy until something goes wrong, says Car Care Canada of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada. With to- day's computerized and solid state speed systems, the weak link in the chain can be the mechanical component that’s supposed to control this precision timing. An engine’s valves admit fuel into the combustion chamber and allow burned exhaust gases to escape. Their opening and closing, in perfect coordination with other engine functions, is actuated by a camshaft. On OHC (overhead cam) engines, the shaft is driven by a flat rubber belt with notches that engage teeth on camshaft pulleys. This timing belt, as opposed to the conventional timing chain or gears, is quieter, lighter and re- quires no lubrication. It is, however, susceptible to wear and should be checked and adjusted (or replaced) periodically. Unlike a spark plug or windshicld wiper, which gives some warning before total failure, a timing belt usually fails without notice, usual- ly disabling the engine on the spot. In some cases the result will be severe engine damage. For this reason, car manufac- turers recommend replacing timing belts at specific intervals, usually every 80,000 to 100,000 kilometres. While some engines will go considerably longer than that with no trouble, there is no way to know whether or not you've waited a litte too Tong, other than by inspection. The best time to inspect a tim- ing belt is when other belts are be- ing replaced since they, and other components, may have to be removed to see it. For details on timing belt replacement (including warranty information), check your owner’s manual. Fourth gear good for highway From page 27 Club Wagons now come with front high-back bucket seats, three-point seatbelts in the front and rear, and an air bag on the driver’s side (most models) as standard equipment. Rear passengers have been par- ticularly well taken care of in the Club Wagon. Headroom and legroom are generous, and the rear bench seats or optional Cap- tain’s chairs (second row only) are quite comfy. Rear passengers can plug into a stereo headphone jack with volume contro}, adjust a separate rear air-conditioning system with overhead vents, and take advantage of numerous cupholders and map pockets. Under the Club. Wagon’s new skin is a familiar front engine/rear wheel drive, body-on-frame design that is much the same as before. This traditional layout is better- suited to heavy-duty hauling and towing, tasks for which these vans are often used. Mechanical refinements to the front and rear shock absorbers, rear leaf springs, and steering system have con- tributed to improved road holding, steering response and crosswinds stability. As before, the Club Wagon’s engine is positioned well forward in the body leaving the area be- tween the driver and passenger free for passengers to meve to the rear. However, the engine cover does intrude into the passenger's footwell, leaving minimal room for the passenger’s feez. The Econoline and Club Wagon can be ordered with bigger V8 and diesel engines, extended body lengths, different seating capacities, and payload capacities. \ \ { 1 f yo prop of News 4 Norttt Ne me North vancoun -— 4 date AVE! a en 1 1139 Lows L~-——§ Entry Deadline Friday, August 2, 1991 — Winner will be notified by phone lucky winner of the Flight of a Lifetime with Bud Granley in his Fouga Majesta fighter aircraft! Standard Club Wagons carry five or cight passengers while Super Wagons can carry up to 15 pas- sengers. Club Wagons can be surprising- ly well equipped and come in three trim levels, Custom, XLT, and Chateau. My top-of-the-line Chateau model had four Captain’s chairs, a fold-down rear bed, power windows, door locks and mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, anti-theft system, six speaker stereo, leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy wheels and other luxury features. Who needs a limousine?! The 1991 Club Wagon is still available at Dave Buck Ford on Marine Drive in North Vancouver. The 1992 Club Wagon and Econoline vans will be in stock in late September. Prices will not be available until the fall. You could be a CONTEST RULES 1) Winners will be drawn from all correct entries submitted by the contest closing date 2) Entrants must be 19 years of age or over, have no fear of speed, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other medical problems likely to interfere with safe enjoyment of the prize flight 3) Height and weight of winning entrant MOST MAZDA CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS Get ready for Summer Tune your Mazda! SUMMERTIME TUNE-UP al! Replace engine oil & filter. Top up all fluid levels. Wash & clean 95 Car. Plus pans Genuine Mazda Parts . & Accessories s Specialized § Mazda WE. RROUND you : WITH. SATISFACTION . [FREE 20 POINT | i$ SAFETY INSPECTION 1 Battery cables & connections 2 Coolant strength 3 Radiator noses 4 Heater hoses 5 All oil levels 6 All fluxd teveis 7 All ights 8 Fuel fitter 9 Air cleaner fitter 10 PCV. valve 11 Windshield wiper blades ioe ae 13. Steering lit 14. Driveshatt & * universal joints 15. Front & rear SUSpENsion 16. Shock absorbers 17. Tresitread wear 18. Belts 19. Brakes 20. Test drive comments COMPLETE OVERHAULS e ENGINES ¢ TRANSMISSIONS @ CLUTCHES « SHOCKS DON’T SMOKE + British Columbia Lung Association WIN the Flight of a Lifetime! from The Abbotsford International Airshow August 9, 10, 11, 1991 Admission Cartoad ...§40 (inc. GST} {Maximum of 6 people) Additional people in the vehicle will be charged $10 per person. Tickets may be purchased at participating Canada Safeway Stores or througn Vancouver Ticket Centre by calling (604) 280-4444, In Store discount coupons are available through Toca Cola Bottling and Fletcher's Fine Foods. may be a restricting factor to comply with safety regulations 4) A waiver of liability will be required from the winning entrant 5) The winner of the Flight of a Lifetime prize is at the sole discretion of the judges and will be selected from the correct entries submitted. AIRSHOW TICKETS y Box Seating Enjoy the luxury of reserved trontiine Box Seating, Canada Safeway Box Seating is an additional $20.70 (inc. GST). Pick up your Box Seat Tickets in advance at participating Canada Safeway Stores or through Vancouver Ticket Centre at (604) 280-6444. In store discount coupons available through Coca Cota Bottling and Fietcher's Fine Foods.