AUTOMOTIVE PROBLEMS

I. Discuss the following questions.
a) Are you good at repairing cars? b) What are the most common faults in a car? c) Do you know how to repair them?

II. Listen to the students' conversation and learn what faults can occur in a car.
Peter: Alex, I would like you to have a look at my car, please.
Alex: What's wrong with it?
Peter: I don't know. Having just started the engine stops again.
Alex: There is no petrol in the tank, I'm afraid.
Peter: On the contrary! The tank is full and the battery seems to be in order.
Alex: Let's go into the garage then and ask Denis to have a look at it. He is said to be a good car mechanic and is sure to find the fault in your car.
Peter: OK. Considering the situation, we are going to need his help.
(a couple of hours later)
Peter: What are you busy with?
Denis: I'm repairing the engine of your car.
Peter: But what has happened? It's quite new as far as I know
Denis: Don't you understand that you should never operate the engine if the air filter is out of order? Well, having entered the engine, dust and dirt damaged the cylinders, pistons and piston rings.
Peter: OK, I get it, I should have changed the filter.
Denis: Yes. By the way, have you ever checked your spark plugs?
Peter: Let's see... But they are as good as new!
Denis: Certainly, they are all right. Having cleaned and tested them, I only have to repair the engine now.
Peter: Oh, now it's clear why there was no spark.
Denis: And there wouldn't be. Being covered with oil the spark plugs will not give a spark. That's why your engine stops.
Peter: I see.

III.Complete the following dialogues.

IV. Match a line in A with a line in B.

V. Find the English equivalents in B to the Russian words in A.

VII. Scan the text to find the answers to the following questions.
1. Do modem cars need servicing regularly?
2. What are the three most common faults in the car?
3. What should you do if the battery appears to be dead?
4. What does a fuel warning light show?
5. Why is there no spark sometimes?
6. What is likely to happen to the petrol pump?
7. How can the fuel pipe become blocked?
8. How do you know that the starter motor is likely to be jammed?
9. Is the air filter an important part of the engine?

VIII. Read the text attentively and learn about the most common faults in the car and the ways to repair them.

Finding a Fault in the Car

Servicing your car regularly you prevent it from becoming unreliable. Of course, you can't foresee everything. Having failed to start the car in the morning you had better check three things first: the battery, the fuel level and the spark plugs. It is quite easy to repair these faults.
If the battery appears to be flat it is necessary to recharge it. If this doesn't work, you should replace it.
An empty tank is another common fault in the car. Having noticed a fuel warning light on the instrument panel of your car you should fill up the tank with more petrol.
Dirty spark plugs are also certain to cause a problem. To drive the car it is important to clean them regularly and adjust the gap in the spark plugs to the proper width. If the gap is not correct the engine will not run well.
If your car still does not start, the petrol pump may be broken, or the fuel pipe may be blocked. Having discovered a broken pump, it is a good idea to repair or replace it. If the fuel pipe is blocked, take it off and unblock it.
Having heard a loud CLICK! when you turn the key, you are sure to realize that the starter motor may be jammed. If it is, you can try to release it pushing the car forwards and backwards (in the 2nd gear). If the car still doesn't start, the starter motor should be repaired or even replaced.
And don't forget about the air filter. Its function is to remove particles of dirt, dust and other impurities from the air passing to the carburetor. A blocked filter decreases the airflow to the carburetor thus increasing the amount of fuel in the mixture. This causes the engine to operate inefficiently. Cleaning and changing filters regularly you prevent a considerable damage that is certain to be caused inside the cylinders. In this case the engine will need a thorough overhaul.
If you are a poor mechanic, stopping at service stations periodically you will save at least time and money. As they say, prevention is better than cure.

X. Fill in the table with the data from the text.