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).
Investigation into burnt engine valves on a 20-HP demonstration car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 48\4\ Scan119 | |
| Date | 28th December 1923 | |
| X4226 BM c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}1/H28.12.23. re. 20-HP. Engine Valves 'Burning'. The Demonstration Class 20-HP car was brought to us for attention as the engine was very unsatisfactory and on investigation the symptoms rather showed burnt valves. We dismantled the engine and found the valve burnt as suspected. This valve we return to you for inspection. We had dicided when the engine was dismantled to change the valves to 45° seating, but were rather surprised to find that they were already of the 45° type ( i.e. 15° modified) but of the Tulip type which we are still supplying on new cars and using as replacements on existing cars. The chassis number referred to in this instance is 89-K-6. We should like you to give this your close attention, and should also like your report as to whether you think any action should be taken other than we are taking at present. We have for some time past received reports from the Demonstration Class that the engine was not running very satisfactorily and was inclined to mis-fire and to pop back in the carburetter, but there was no statement of preignition. Examination of the ignition plugs, however, which are of the present standard type rather reveal the fact that one of them had evidently at some time or other been pre-igniting. We are not, however, sure whether this was the same cylinder from which the valve was removed, which was No. 2 exhaust. RB{R. Bowen} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} RR. | ||