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).
Petrol pump issues and a broken chassis lubrication pipe on a Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\3\ scan0243 | |
| Date | 23th October 1935 | |
| BOWERING SEE ME X300a HOTEL DE FRANCE. CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From. G.W.H. file 3I.- EX. PHANTOM III. We have located the Petrol Pump trouble. After standing all night the pumps were very sluggish in action, at times only one in action. They would not deliver sufficient petrol to run high speeds until approximately 25 miles had been run. Upon investigating the cause, we first checked the valves for seating etc., The Pumps were no better with valves taken out. One pump was then dismantled from the unit. With the diaphram loose, it worked normal. After working the diaphram by hand it was again assembled, but no better results. The Solenoid action would not pull the armature in. We then disembled the pump again and washed the diaphram in parrafin. Upon refitting, it operated quite normal. The other pump not touched still refused to operate. It would appear that the Esso Petrol is gumming the fabric diaphram up and stiffening it to an extent that the magnetic force is not sufficient to distend it, apparently this is the trouble we have had from time to time when the Car has been laid up for a day or so. The gradual heating up under the bonnet with the flow of petrol, softens up the fabric diaphram, consequently no further trouble arises throughout the day's mileage, so far this has only occurred on this Car. CHASSIS LUBRICATION. The Bijur pipe has twice broken off at the connection to the top of the pivot O.S. In tightening up the connection to-day, the Bijur union screwed into the top of the pivot, was broken off, leaving the screwed portion in the hole. They are made of brass and the diameter of the thread reduced to .250 ". This is a ridiculous size and will be continually broken off. The boss at present is too small to take the standard side of Bijur, but if you could supply me with two bijurs made of steel, we should stand a better chance for them not to break. G.W.H. [Handwritten notes in margin:] old type diaphram now replaced 5/16 thread now fitted | ||