Care & Maintenance

From around fifty-five to sixty, it purrs along pretty well. Except for a few minor problems here and there, the parts are functioning as they should, and the overall performance meets requirements, so long as there is enough fuel and a minimum of ballast.

From sixty to sixty-five, a few unexpected problems may crop up. These may be minor or major, depending on how the unit has been used. There may be a bit of wobble, a tendency to lurch unexpectedly at times, and some of the lines may be clogged. If careful flushing of the lines does not correct the problem, it may be necessary to replace them, as some owners have had to do. It is not an easy job, this replacement of lines, but it needs to be done. Once the lines are clear, you can expect smooth sailing up to about seventy-five or so. Still, careful monitoring is advised after the replacement, and the fuel intake needs to be kept leaner and lighter.

Sixty-five to seventy produces some added hazards. The electrical system may malfunction, if the unit has not been maintained in optimum condition with regular checkups. The fuel intake has to be closely watched. The unit's equilibrium is largely dependent on the quality of its suspension, combined with its overall weight. Backfiring can occur unexpectedly, but in many cases this may be unavoidable.

At about seventy some units will experience rattling and shaking, and if the owners are not especially heedful, accidents may occur. Some connectors may malfunction, giving rise to the possibility in extreme cases that they must be replaced. But it is quite possible for the unit to operate with impaired connectors for some time, provided that other parts of the unit are sound.

From seventy to seventy-five, the instrument panel in some units may begin to display signs of malfunction. This may at the beginning show itself in minor ways, perhaps in the flickering of one or several of the warning lights. Unfortunately in time these minor glitches may progress and acquire major significance. Regular monitoring must be used to see that the unit is not subjected to rust or mildew, and that there is no immediate danger of breakage of any of the crucial parts.

Beyond seventy-five, depending on how the unit was maintained, the owner may either see an increase in the number and severity of malfunctioning parts, or, it is devoutly to be hoped, a smooth and trouble-free journey to its destination.