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).
Dangerous Phantom II Autovac petrol supply failure causing the crankchamber to fill with petrol.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 64\1\ scan0057 | |
| Date | 1st March 1930 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} x7510. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}5/HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3.30. re. PHANTOM II. AUTOVAC PETROL SUPPLY FAILURE. The possibility of the engine crankchamber becoming full of petrol without the driver being definitely aware of this, we consider a very dangerous condition to get to. This has now happened on two new cars during their complete final car test prior to delivery to customers. The trouble appears to be caused by the autovac float leaking. The first case of this made itself manifest by the engine running short of petrol and the consumption being excessive, and it was investigating this feature that the condition of the oil in the crankcase revealed the above fault. In the second case, the excessive smell of petrol fumes caused the tester to be suspicious. Having had the first experience arrangements were made in all future cases of final test to be suspicious of this trouble and inspect for it. Also, in both these cases, the cars had been normally tested and passed, except for some fault which had to be put right, and it was when re-testing for this fault that the above trouble took place. I bring the above fact to your attention as I certainly take the view that for the engines to get into this condition is dangerous, and feel, from the experience I have had with the above cars, there is the possibility of this taking place with cars in service. You may remember at the time you altered the position of the return pipe of the vacuum pump from the carburetter to the crankchamber, you rather feared that this trouble might take place. I consider, therefore, you should be aware of the above facts and suggest you should now re-consider your decision. We were about to make some investigations of this trouble with chassis on test, but it is rather difficult for us to work this in and keep production going, and suggest, therefore, you should take this matter up as an important Experimental investigation. I am, therefore returning to you the faulty float off the first case of CONTD:- | ||