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).
The starting troubles of 4 1/4 Litre Bentley cars, referencing specific complaints from a customer.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\3\ scan0354 | |
| Date | 12th January 1938 | |
| To Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [struck through] c. BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} [struck through] c. MX. {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} [struck through] [Handwritten]: 1290 [Handwritten]: G.W.H's last statement is interesting. We should try the voltage drop at the coil in the cold Chamber Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} STARTING 4 1/4 LITRE BENTLEY. Mr. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Vandervell's statement that the 4 1/4 Litre Bentley has got a bad reputation for starting is unfounded, and is probably based on his recent experience with his cars 115-HM. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} and his father's Bentley 15-HM. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} and probably his other Bentley 57-KU. The troubles experienced with these cars are as follows :- 115-HM. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} came in for engine thump on the 24th Novr. It was finished during the middle of December. On the 29th Decr. he rang up stating that bad misfires were taking place, the engine finally stopping and was difficult to start. It would run evenly for a short while and again suffer from the above features. Upon the car being investigated by Kingsbury it was found that all the trouble was caused by a Philco condenser shorting across on the ballast resistance. The design of the condenser was such that it invited a short being in close proximity to the second terminal of the ballast resistance. The top terminal having come loose allowed it to drop. 57-KU. was not reported upon for non-starting, but came in for dynamo failing to charge - 13th Decr. 15-HM. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} - his father's car, was collected by mistake on Novr. 30th. and when he telephoned up about the wrong car being taken informed K. {Mr Kilner} that they had better look at the starter motor as it had been sticking. Their other two Bentleys have not had any trouble. Mr. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Vandervell is after bearings, and when some time ago he complained about them to Conduit Street he was asked to come to Kingsbury and see the bearings for himself. He evidently likes to talk without facts, as he never had the decency to come to Kingsbury to see them. There was nothing wrong with them. The complaints dealt with for faulty starting during the last quarter have been six .- 4 - 4 1/4 litres with flat batteries, two of these batteries were returned to the Works and found to have faulty cells. 1 - 4 1/4 flat battery, and over-strong mixture, due to the engine not starting with the low revs. | ||