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).
Troubleshooting report on engine issues for Chassis B-I-CW, specifically petrol mixing with oil and fouling spark plugs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0273 | |
| Date | 14th February 1940 | |
| 1245 To "Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}" Works c. to "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}". Levallois Sr/VA4/MLG.14.2.40 Re- Chassis B-I-CW-Count de Fels ------------------------------- We have run into trouble on the above car inasmuch as petrol is finding its way into the bottom half, affecting the engine oil and causing the sparking plugs to oil up. The owner sent the car to us on the 2nd ultimo and informed us that the engine was running very irregularly. We found that some of the plugs were oiled up and there was a fairly large percentage of petrol in the oil. As the owner was in a hurry, we, as a temporary job, fitted extension pieces to the sparking plugs so as to bring the points further away from the combustion chamber and we also changed the engine oil. The owner agreed to let us have the car for further attention. The car was sent to us again and it was agreed to that we should remove the cylinders and check the cylinder bores, pistons and rings for wear. As the bores were found to have a fair amount of wear the owner accepted our estimate to rebore and fit new pistons. After carrying out this work we found the car to be OK. on test. After the car had covered about 600 kms in the owner's hands, it was sent to us again with the same complaint. We again found a fairly large percentage of petrol in the oil and which had effected the plugs. Have you had any similar complaints ? In the affirmative kindly let us have some information. This car, like most other cars in France, is run on the standard lower grade petrol which normally is the only brand now obtainable, and which is about 65 Octane (minimum). The owner uses his car mostly in Paris viz from his residence to his office. We mention this because we think the car does not have a chance to get really hot. We removed the Champion LB-8 plugs and fitted in their place KLG,FLB 30.x.plugs, which we think are a hotter running plug and less effected by an oily engine but without any improvement. We are going to increase the running temperature of the engine. We shall be pleased to have your comments as soon as possible. We should mention that we have also had similar trouble on a 20/25 HP car on which the cylinders and pistons were known to be in a very good condition. We fitted new plugs, changed the oil and generally tuned up the engine. We have however not seen this car since we attended to it. "VA" [Text in left margin, written vertically:] PS-We are at present fitting the carburettors and induction pipe belonging to litre engine. | ||