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).
Summary of customer complaints regarding spark plug trouble caused by using ethyl lead fuel.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\1\ scan0271 | |
| Date | 14th January 1937 guessed | |
| CASES OF CUSTOMERS WITH PLUG TROUBLE USING ETHYL LEAD FUEL. [Case 1] Handwritten Note: 11727 mls. First complaint. Set of dirty plugs. - N.O.K after clean. Typed Text: 1. Captain Booker Milburn. B.72-EF. - del. 25.6.35. (has 4 1/4 litre car on order.) One of our oldest and most valued RR. customers with great experience. Always used straight petrol with perfect success until he happened to call at Showrooms when engine was overdue for decarbonising and was told he must use Ethyl to get the best out of the engine. He did so and immediately after the decarbonising, got foul plugs in a few days with mis-firing, popping and a maximum speed of about 50 m.p.h. Cured by changing plugs only. [Case 2] Handwritten Note: 260 mls. complaint Typed Text: 2. Lt.Col. G.F.Doland, O.B.E., J.P.,M.P., B.89-HM. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} del.3.12.36. Car at K. {Mr Kilner} middle of last month, one week after delivery new. Mis-firing, popping and loss of power. Faulty pumps at first suspected. These were changed without effect. Trouble eliminated by cleaning plugs. Owner telephoned urgently yesterday to say he had particularly wanted to take some friends for a run on Sunday last and had found such bad misfiring etc. that the car would not go up Putney Hill on top and would not exceed 40 m.p.h. on the level. Car sent to K. {Mr Kilner} same day, plugs found to be leaded up in the 700 miles since it was last there. No pump trouble. [Case 3] Handwritten Note: Complaint. Typed Text: 3. W.B.McCoomb, Esq. B.133-HM. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} - delivered 15.12.36. A week or two ago owner brought car to JLE {J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} at LH. {Mr Haworth} and a set of new plugs had to be fitted to overcome misfiring and loss of power. No other work was necessary. Owner and driver pleased, but car brought back three or four days later after 500 miles with plugs leaded up. [Case 4] Handwritten Note: Complaint twice Typed Text: 4. H.S.Paget, Esq., B.59-HM. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} - del. 5.12.36. Owner telephoned yesterday to complain to JLE. {J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} that the car would not exceed 60 m.p.h. JLE. {J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} collected it and sent it to K. {Mr Kilner} who report this morning the only trouble is dirty plugs at a mileage of 471. [Case 5] Handwritten Note: Query if had car in Dec. 1939 mls. 1st Complaint. President of Coombe Hill Golf Club. No complaint since Champion fitted. Typed Text: 5. A. {Mr Adams} Y. Gowen, Esq., B.28-HK. {Col. T. Harker - Sales} - del. 21.10.36. This owner complained at the beginning of Dec. that he was forced to change his plugs sometimes twice a day to avoid intermittent misfiring. There is, however, a suspicion of over-oiling in this case. Car sent in on 9th Dec. last and Hancock suggested Champion plugs, Type L.10 we believe. Driver reported 29th Dec. no further misfiring or trouble of any kind and we have not heard of him since. | ||