Frosted by Voyager’s No-Go in the Snow

Question: The day after I purchased my 1990 Grand Voyager, I read in my owner’s manual that I cannot use snow chains on the tires. I called the dealer, demanding that he take back the car and give me one that could go to the snow. He said it was a used car and refused. Do you have any suggestions? E. F.

Answer: When it comes to buying a new car, don’t assume anything. That especially includes things like towing capacity, snow driving ability and a number of features that go beyond whether a vehicle can simply drive down the road.

All is not lost in your case, however. There is a special traction device, called Spike’s Spider, which will fit on your tires to help improve handling in the snow.

Many owners of front-wheel-drive vehicles face the same problem. The reason your Grand Voyager cannot accept chains is that with its 15-inch wheels, it lacks adequate clearance between the tires and wheel wells. The Spike’s Spider traction device helps because it is more compact than a snow chain.

The device fits tire sizes up to 205-70R-15, the size of your Grand Voyager tires. The cost ranges from $130 for the smallest size to $238.84 for the largest.

I have no information about whether the Spike’s Spider is more or less effective than a chain, but the company producing it says the device is as effective as a chain. California and some other states have amended their motor vehicle codes to permit the use of such traction devices.

You can purchase or obtain information about Spike’s Spider, which is made by Frigiquit International Inc. in Kansas, by calling (800) 227-5260.

Q: I have a 1979 Chrysler Station wagon with about 80,000 miles on it. How can I check to see if water is seeping into the crankcase? Whenever I get the car tuned up, it never seems to last more than 3,000 miles.J. M.

A: If you are looking for a link between the engine performance and water leakage, you probably will not find it. Although water leakage may degrade the performance of your engine, a tuneup will not temporarily fix it.

Water leakage into the crankcase oil typically occurs when you have a leaking head gasket. If the gasket is leaking, you will probably experience exhaust gas contamination of the coolant or oil as well. The reason is fairly easy to understand: The head gasket must seal the engine’s tremendous compression from the water jack and oil passages just inches from where the head attaches to the cylinder block.

If the cylinder head warps or the gasket degrades, the high-pressure exhaust gases are more likely to leak than the relatively low-pressure coolant.

The most simple procedure for checking water leakage is a pressure check of the radiator and cooling system. A mechanic will attach a pump with a gauge to the radiator and apply pressure to the system. The gauge will indicate whether pressure is leaking.

But this test has its weaknesses. It may fail to detect a problem if the leak is very small or if it occurs only when the engine becomes hot.

Another test involves the use of dyes in the coolant. The dye will change color if it is contacted by exhaust gas, providing proof of a problem.

Finally, a mechanic can conduct a compression test of the engine, making sure that cylinders are not leaking exhaust gas. The test involves removing spark plugs and screwing in a special gauge.

Analysis of the readings will reveal whether the compression is correct in all the cylinders and, if not, whether the leakage is caused by a bad head gasket, rings or valves.

Vartabedian cannot answer mail personally but will attempt to respond in this column to automotive questions of general interest. Do not telephone. Write to Your Wheels, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053.