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).
Engine seizure for chassis 19-SC due to oil loss from a loose oil filter nut, with recommendations for a locking device.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\1\ Scan340 | |
| Date | 30th September 1926 | |
| Dealt with Rms To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} X4117 " BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} C- to Sr. for Hr. Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}10/W29.9.26. 9-30 30/9/26 Re Chassis No. 19-SC - A.{Mr Adams} de Wichfeld. The Bearings of the above Engine have seized up on the road due to the Engine having been run without oil. The oil was lost through the Nut holding the Oil Filter underneath the Automatic Advance working itself loose whilst the car was being driven on the road. It requires very little looseness on the part of the Nut to cause sufficient loss of oil to empty the Crankcase in a very short time. The joints of the casing are made oil tight by means of Fibre Washers. Our past experience of Fibre Washers has always been disastrous, and the probable cause of this trouble has been due to the looseness of the Nut, probably on account of the Fibre Washers shrinking. We have found others loose. A further point which may be worthy of your attention is the milled edge on this Nut. The fact of there being a milled edge may lead some people to think that hand tightening is sufficient, and they may not bother to use a Spanner. As these parts are recommended for removal every 1,000 miles we think that something should be done for cars at present in existence - some simple form of Locking Device should be introduced. Similar trouble with the Float Chamber Cover is sometimes experienced, and unless this is definitely tightened with a Spanner it is very apt to work itself loose, with consequent loss of petrol and stoppage of the Engine. We shall be glad if you will give these matters your consideration and recommendation. Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} [Signature] | ||