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).
Letter to a supplier regarding sticking petrol gauge tank units, possibly caused by French fuel.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\3\ scan0019 | |
| Date | 8th February 1939 | |
| 1263. EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/JBD.{John B. Dixon - Fuel Systems}15/JH. 8th. February, 1939. S. Smith & Sons Ltd., Cricklewood Works, LONDON.N.W.2. For the attention of Mr. Russell. Dear Sirs, We continue to have cases of petrol gauge tank units sticking in the graphite bushes particularly on cars in France. Using very Gummy Esso petrol which has been in contact with air for a considerable period we have not been able to reproduce the trouble on either a graphite, brass, or bakelite bearing. The fact that the trouble occurs mostly in France and especially a new chassis is very significant. We can see two reasons why this may be so. Practically all French Fuel contains from 5% to 15% of alcohol and this may be extracting gum from the rubber tank connections or dissolving material either in or used for fixing the Graphite bush. We should accordingly like some samples of unused Graphite bushes to test and would like to know what cement is used to hold them in the brass cage. We are also carrying out tests with rubber and petrol. What leads us to think it is in the bush that the trouble arises is that the petrol pump valves remain free and also the carburetter both of which are very easily affected by gum and in a sample received this was a sticky ring of material where the graphite touches the brass as if it has exuded from it. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||