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).
Different types of antifreeze, issues with glycerine, and recommending 'Zero' antifreeze for all models.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\3\ scan0263 | |
Date | 3rd November 1938 | |
1285 W/S. {Derby Works / Sales} To Cx. {Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} from Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Std. c. By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Hd. {Mr Hayward / Mr Huddy} c. LA. {L. A. Archer} c. NW. {N. Walker - Patents} Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Std.5/WH.3.11.38. ANTIFREEZE - ALL CARS. Referring to Cx. {Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} 1/KW.29.10.38, the facts are as follows. Originally Glycerine (pure) and Ethylene Glycol (known also variously as Prestone and latterly Blue-Col) were officially recommended as antifreeze agents. An experimental car using Glycerine then gave trouble owing to loosened scale blocking the cylinder block waterways and causing overheating, the loosening of the scale being caused by the descaling effect of the Glycerine. Accordingly, Glycerine was omitted from our recommendations, although actually there is negligible difference in the descaling effect of pure Glycerine as compared with pure Ethylene Glycol. Since that time, Messrs. Price Ltd. who market "Zero" Glycerine antifreeze have added a small quantity of corrosion inhibitor to this antifreeze and this prevents corrosion and reduces the descaling effect of the Glycerine - Messrs. Smiths have added a similar inhibitor to the Ethylene Glycol which they market under the name of "Bluecol". We therefore tested out the latest "Zero" mixture on our experimental cars last year and found it satisfactory, no ill effects being experienced. We are therefore in a position to recommend Price's "Zero" antifreeze for all our models and have done so on the Bentley chassis because so doing considerably reduces the cost of the antifreeze which we have to supply with that chassis. | ||