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).
Oil consumption issues and resolutions on a Bentley vehicle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\3\ scan0044 | |
| Date | 23th March 1936 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} K/KC/23.3.36. OIL CONSUMPTION ON THE BENTLEY. Reference your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}12/KW.11.3.36, I am afraid we have very little definite information at K which we can place at your disposal, regarding oil consumption. In the majority of cases where we have failed to effect an improvement in the oil consumption by external adjustments, the car has been returned to Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} for rectification. I have, however, one recent case which may prove of interest. Chassis No.B.60.FB, mileage 3120, Complaint of oil consumption 400.m.p.g. In this particular case after all external adjustments had been checked, the block was lifted, the bores measured, the rings gaps checked, and as the ring gaps were on the wide side, a change of piston rings was made, but without the slightest improvement. I attach for your information the Shop report on the measurements of the cylinder bores. We therefore got into touch with Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/SB{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister} and have since fitted a block reground to the first oversize. The job is now satisfactory, the oil consumption being well up to standard - practically no oil being used on a 100 mile test run. Regarding cylinder wear, it has been our practice to measure for record purposes, the cylinders on all engines that pass through K at the time of R.10 or R.20, and we do as a matter of fact today, make a monthly return( and have done so since the 1st January this year) of these measurements to the repairs.(Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/SB{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}). I attach a copy for your perusal of the February return. This return gives you the mileage, and under the heading of each cylinder, the maximum wear in the first column and the maximum ovality in the second column. Should the bores be over nominal, you will find in the -contd- | ||