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).
Correspondence regarding a complaint of high oil consumption for chassis B.I06.HK.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0156 | |
| Date | 4th May 1939 | |
| 1245 To Bentley Motors Ltd. Derby............ Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Copy to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell} Levallois Sr/VA.7/ET.4.5.39 Re: CHASSIS B.I06.HK{Col. T. Harker - Sales} - ex Baron Guy de ROTHSCHILD now the property of Duc d'ELCHINGEN (Mileage: 50.339 Kms.) COMPLAINT - HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION With reference to Sr/VA6/ET.I8.II.38 and Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Swd13/MH.{M. Huckerby} 22.II.38, we fitted an "L" shaped ring to each piston, on the I2.I2.38, as recommended under Item I of your memo, and we also fitted a set of new valve grummets, but unfortunately without the desired result. The rocker shaft was found to be fitted the correct way round. After carrying out the above work, we carried out a high speed oil consumption test at an average speed of 90/95 K.P.H. The oil consumption worked out at 700 M.P.G. As the car was badly needed, we had to deliver it, but it was arranged with the owner that he would run the car for a certain time and then send it to us for further attention. The car was sent to us on the 3.4.39, in order that we should measure the exact amount of oil in the engine, as the owner was going to drive it over a distance of 200 Kms. at high speed. After the owner had made the above run, we measured the amount of oil that remained in the engine and, according to measurements taken, we found the oil consumption to work out at 390 M.P.G. The owner recently sent us the car again and we have carried out the following work: Bored out the cylinders and fitted a set of EB.3I5I pistons having a smaller skirt clearance. Opened up the oil jet hole in the connecting rods. Checked big-end clearance on crankpins (found to be OK). Carried out a high speed oil consumption test at an average speed of 90/95 K.P.H., which worked out at 475 M.P.G. We shall be glad if you can suggest anything. Would it be too risky to block up the oil jet hole in the connecting rods? We are naturally very disappointed with the results. Sr/VA. [Signature] | ||