From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter regarding excessive oil consumption on a Bentley 4 1/4 litre chassis and potential repair solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\3\ scan0107 | |
| Date | 13th October 1936 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/mho 1245 17 To Bentley Motors Ltd. Levallois Derby............... Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Sr/VAI/ET.13.10.36 Re: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ON BENTLEY 4 1/4 CHASSIS (Chassis B.74.GA - Mr. P. LE BLAN) The above car is being sent to us on the 19th instant in order for us to overcome the owner's complaint of excessive oil consumption. The owner informed us that the engine consumes 1 litre per 100 Kms. We have made a road test at high speed and, after very carefully measuring the oil before and after the test, we found that the engine had consumed 1/2 a litre during a 110 Kms. run. You will undoubtedly remember that, during the conversation we had with on the telephone a few days ago concerning the steering of chassis GTL.80, we mentioned the above to you. The car has covered a total mileage of 16.000 Kms. and the owner has agreed to let us carry out an R.10 engine clean. We shall be glad to have your recommendations as to the best way of overcoming the above complaint. We should mention that the owner does not want to leave the car with us for more than 7 working days. As soon as we have dismantled the cylinders, we intend to measure the bores very carefully. We confirm that, during our conversation with you, we asked you kindly to arrange to have some "L" shaped rings sent to us plus a set of piston rings suitable for 4 1/4 litre engines, and that they should have sharp leading or cutting edges. For preference they should be .005" oversize. We naturally would like to overcome complaints of the above nature by changing piston rings instead of the rather expensive way of re-boring and fitting oversize pistons. We think, however, that we ought to stock a set of .005" or .010" oversize pistons complete with rings, suitable for the 4 1/4 litre engine in case of need. We therefore attach our official order N°I009. We should like to have the pistons not later than the 22nd instant. We should mention that we have one or two other customers who have informed us that the consumption on their 4 1/4 litre Bentley cars was very high. Sr/VA.V P.S. We have 12 E.61123 "L" section piston rings in stock. | ||