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 issues with overheating petrol pumps.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\5\ scan0145 | |
| Date | 18th May 1937 | |
| HOTEL DE FRANCE, CHATEAUROUX, Indre. France. To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C. Ray GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} 200a S. B. IV. PETROL PUMPS. Running was held up yesterday due to further petrol pump trouble. On reaching the petrol filling station after a quick run, the car was left standing for about eight minutes. On switching on to drive away, the pumps failed to work. The usual resort of knocking them by hand only produced a few useless kicks. The pots were so hot that they could not be held by hand. Eventually when they had partially cooled down, the diaphragms worked very sluggishly but enough to get the car back to the garage. On examination, the same trouble that had been previously experienced was again evident. The diaphragm discs were rubbing on the pot sides. The brass distance washers were not worn to any extent. It appears that as long as comparatively cold petrol is running through the pumps, the friction is not sufficient to stop them working. We have cleaned the outside edge of the discs and have smoothed off the machining marks inside the pots with emery. This will minimise the friction set up and we hope prevent further sticking. So far this has worked satisfactorily. ---------- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/HFH.{Hoppy F. Hamilton} | ||