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).
Experiments on starting issues with chassis 11-EX after the main petrol tank runs empty, referencing the Autovac system and throttle position.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 71\3\ scan0179 | |
| Date | 26th August 1926 | |
| X8900 PN{Mr Northey}11/DN26.8.26. TO Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c.c. to BJ " " CWB " " Bk{A. Birkett - Commercial Manager} FROM P.N. Chassis 11-EX. In reply to your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}8/Lg25.8.26, I have already had repeated experiments in connection with starting up the engine of this car after the petrol had run out of the main tank, and starting up was effected reliably on the self-starter in 15 seconds, with the throttle lever closed. Of course, if the throttle lever is left half open, then the length of time required to get the Autovac full, may be almost indefinite, certainly running into minutes. On the occasion when the main tank ran out of petrol when I was driving, as I had not expected this to happen, considerable time was spent in trying to start the engine with the throttle open, and probably also this condition obtained when the reserve tank was opened out. I do not know whether this condition enabled an air-lock to take place. There is not much doubt about the fact that Boot actually sucked petrol plus air from the tank. I am not quite certain that you are correct in suggesting Boot's suction is less powerful than that of our Phantom, - he has had a lot of practice. P.N. | ||