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).
Report investigating a starter motor's failure to engage, attributing it to an oil leak from the crankshaft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\5\ Scan172 | |
| Date | 17th May 1927 | |
| X3587 c. Mr. Hancock. BY/C/H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 17.5.27. 10-G-3. REPORT. ------------------ It appears to us that the refusal of the starter motor to engage is the direct result of the oil leak referred to in the previous paragraph, by which the oil leaks from the crankshaft end, collects in the bottom of the flywheel guard, and drains out as the car stands. We do not think this oil leakage is a regular trouble, and we know quite well that the refusal of the starter to engage is exceptional. Mr. Davis is inclined to think that the oil is thrown from the flywheel on to the starter motor shaft, dust etc. settles on it, and the stickiness of the oil plus dust is quite sufficient to prevent the inertia of the pinion slipping it along the shaft. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||