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).
Ongoing vapour lock troubles with the Phantom III model, referencing previous conference minutes and test results.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\4\ scan0277 | |
| Date | 20th May 1937 | |
| S/W 1263 To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re P.III. Vapour Troubles. Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}E.C.Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} (text has been struck through) Now that we have just succeeded in at last delivering about 200 P.III cars to users, it is very distressing to me to see that we are likely to have trouble with vapour locks in an air temperature of 20°.C. which is only somewhere about 65°.F. This is on top of the other troubles which we have been having with P.III is, I am afraid, going to be very harmful to the Company's business. I should like to know what you (handwritten) as head of the Experimental Department, really feel about this matter, i.e. whether you feel satisfied with your (handwritten) efforts to overcome this trouble since it was first discovered on cars on test in France some 18 months to two years ago. The following are some extracts from Minutes of Chassis Conferences: July 12th 1935. Petrol Boiling - this was discussed and it was reported that W. were moving as much of the petrol system outside the bonnet as possible. Sept. 11th 1935. Vapour Lock - This has been cured by putting the filter outside the bonnet. Further schemes are being tried, one of which is removing the pumps away from under the bonnet as well as the filter. 1st April 1936. Carburetter - one of the chief points to be ascertained on the tests abroad is whether a vapour lock will occur with filters situated on both side and back positions. Then a year ago 32-EX was on test in France. Reports of 22nd and 23rd May said: Petrol Boiled in carburetter and petrol pipe in vee but engine would start and run. Considerably improved by fitting petrol pipe clear of vee. 24th May report said: When switched on the petrol pumps raced away causing the carburetter to flood. It was half gas, half petrol, which the float could not deal with. It ceased after starting up the engine in a few moments with the incoming of the cooler petrol. | ||