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).
Excessive oil consumption in Bentley cars, owner habits, and recommended solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 131\4\ scan0349 | |
| Date | 7th July 1937 guessed | |
| -2- type pistons and scraper ring, the excessive oil consumption could be considerably reduced but one has to always bear in mind that in service work, time is money and if the results are not satisfactory both the Company and the Owner suffer. There appears to be only nine outstanding Bentleys that have been suffering from this complaint, therefore the cost of a rebored block, new special pistons and scraper rings for these cars would not be a big item. It is to be expected that new cars supplied for the Continent will have these features. The checking of oil for consumptions can be misleading and if Owners do not check the level of oil at a precise place each time conflicting results are obtained. It was observed during our tests when we looked at the oil level in the yard, double the quantity of oil could have been used to top up. It will be remembered that approximately a year ago, we reported upon this from Chateauroux and went to the trouble to alter the position of the float to give more consistent results. We do not believe, however, that any advantage was taken of it. The Owners over here, have a bad habit of overfilling the lower half with oil. Our experience with too much oil is a rapid rise in oil temperature, 120°C. very quickly being reached with moderate driving. I would recommend that the stop for the finger be moved to the 1 1/2 gallon mark. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||