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).
Test report detailing performance and issues with engine plugs, gears, oil leaks, and the water pump.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\9\ 09-page243 | |
| Date | 4th May 1926 guessed | |
| contd :- -2- for the last 1500 miles. Plugs. K.L.G. detachable plugs fitted. We have had no trouble with plugs throughout the test. These have only been attended to at periods of 2500 miles. The points shew very little burning and no heavy carbon deposit. When taken out at close of run No.6 was slightly damp with oil, remaining plugs were quite dry. Periods. The periods of the engine have remained the same throughout the test. We should consider the periods on acceleration to be normal; retard periods from high speeds we should consider abnormal. These are felt through steering column, clutch pedal and brake pedal. Engine gears. Idler gears fitted to arrgt. drg. EX.1506. As previously reported we are of the opinion that the gears have become more noisy and slight rattles have developed. It was noticed when front case was dismantled that serrated drive for magneto had received no oil and shewed signs of being rusty. This is situated inside the magneto brake drum and the action of the brake shoe may cause the oil to be swept clear, not allowing any oil to reach the serrations. Engine case. New oil sump and cover fitted E.53793/4 to LeC.2196 otherwise to L.O.P. E.51583. We have had throughout the test a bad oil leak from rear of engine case. This trouble we have had on all 10,000 miles tests; modifications have been made but with no better results. We have carried out tests with the car in garage, and cannot reproduce the leak whilst the car is stationary; We therefore are of the opinion that the oil leak may be caused by the continual acceleration and sudden retarding which causes a rush of oil to the rear of engine, which the oil retaining thread cannot cope with. We do not say definitely this is the cause but both the Phantom and 20 HP suffer from this feature. The engine case generally has remained in good condition. Water pump and drive. We have experienced no trouble with water pump throughout the test. A slight deterioration of the fabric drive has taken place. The oil leak reported from the water pump housing has been very slight and towards end of test hardly perceptible; we have in no way interferred with this. The side play in the water pump drive has slightly increased otherwise it has given no trouble. Controls. We have had no failure of controls. It has contd :- | ||