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).
Cold starting tests performed on a Phantom III chassis in an ice room.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\3\ scan0314 | |
| Date | 14th November 1935 | |
| X1290 Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Wst. Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Wst.4/MA.14.11.35. COLD STARTING ON PHANTOM III CHASSIS - 35-EX. - IN MESSRS.LUCAS ICE ROOM. This car was frozen in Messrs.Lucas ice room to a temperature of -1°C. on Wednesday evening the 13th instant and on Thursday morning a start was attempted after first of all measuring the electrical quantities on the starter motor, these were :- Starter current - 208 to 234 amperes. Starter volts - 8.4 to 8.6 Battery volts - 9.2 to 9.8 Engine speed - 31 R.P.M. The oil used was Motorine C and the above tests were carried out with the fully charged battery and with the clutch in. After carrying out the above tests the ignition was switched on and a start attempted, this was done three or four time unsuccessfully, upon which the exhaust plugs on B side were removed and heated up. They were then replaced and a further attempt made to start which again proved unsuccessful the engine refusing to fire at all, although the ignition was shown to be 100% as in one case a spark actually jumped from the sparking plug terminal to the cylinder block. Both sets of exhaust plugs were then removed and warmed up and petrol injected into the cylinder. After this the engine made a few attempts to start but would not remain running and a successful start could not be made until the radiator had been additionally filled with warm water. It should be noted when warming the plugs in the first instance after an unsuccessful attempt no petrol was noticed on the plug points. It would thus appear that the carburation was at fault but we also feel that had the engine been turned at a faster rate starting would probably have been easier. We consider therefore that another start should be made with a Winter grade oil in the sump and with some modification to the carburetter to improve starting. Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Wst. | ||