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).
Investigation into gummed-up pump valves, suspecting paraffin's effect on rubber plugs and proposing remedies.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\4\ scan0267 | |
| Date | 12th February 1938 | |
| -2- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/JBD.{John B. Dixon - Fuel Systems}1/JH.12.2.38. We have obtained a sample of the liquid remaining in the pump which we know has only been in stock 1 month. No.G.5.77. Pump ex stock. In this pump the valves were also gummed up. To overcome the above trouble we have arranged to replace the paraffin in the test rigs once a week and also to blow out surplus paraffin after testing. We wish to do away with the rubber dust plugs on the unions immediately we can obtain the metal plugs asked for in By/RD.1/B.24.12.37. These are certainly attacked by paraffin or petrol and it is possible they are the cause of the trouble. Tests are being carried out to verify these suspicions. We have as yet no definite evidence that failures from this cause are occuring in service and have never experienced valve failure with the G.S.S.C. pumps on experimental chassis. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/JBD.{John B. Dixon - Fuel Systems} | ||