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).
Recurring failures of the Autovac petrol supply float in the Phantom II model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 64\1\ scan0062 | |
| Date | 2nd April 1930 | |
| BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Roy.{Sir Henry Royce} X7510. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}5/H2.4.30. PHANTOM II. AUTOVAC PETROL SUPPLY FAILURE. Further to our EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}5/H8.3.30. and your reply BY19/G.12.3.30. we have had a further case of a new car failing in this respect owing to the float failure. The case in question was 105-XJ. The car had been through its final test, the autovac float itself being inspected and found O.K., which is now part of the routine of our final complete car test. Yesterday Messrs. Hoopers took the car out to show to someone, and after they had gone a few miles the driver smelt a strong smell of petrol and also noticed the oil pressure was down. Fortunately Hoopers were able to obtain the assistance of our man, who found that the autovac float was punctured and there was about 3 galls of petrol in the base chamber. This case further emphasises that something more drastic should be done than that reported in your memo. This is about the fourth failure which has occurred in this manner during the last four or six weeks, besides some which have developed on test, or considered unsatisfactory during our routine inspection of the autovac float. One must consider the danger which may result in case this trouble takes place while in the hands of the owner should he continue to run the engine in this condition. As I take it the alteration to the float is considered the best way of dealing with this trouble I suggest that some action should be taken immediately for no further chassis to be delivered or cars delivered to customers unless changed over for a float of the present improved type, and some definite action should be taken to obtain sufficient floats to deal with the job on these lines. Personally, I consider this failure is sufficiently serious to require as urgent attention as did the steering and brake modification. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||