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).
Diagnosing and fixing an erratic slow running engine caused by a faulty carburettor needle valve.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\4\ 04-page085 | |
| Date | 9th July 1932 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From G.W.H. Hotel de France, Chateauroux, FRANCE. 9.7.32. 19-EX. RE. ERRATIC SLOW RUNNING REPORTED. We noticed that after a few minutes while the engine was idling, petrol dripped from the overflow of the carburetter, and black smoke came from the exhaust. We dismantled the float chamber and tried the needle. This was not air tight in the shut off position,(tried by sucking with valve closed). The seating of the needle looked as if it had chattered, we could not find any obstruction so we have lightly reground the needle in and made it petrol tight when closed. It ran alright in the garage and we are now again trying it on the road. It failed again on the road, petrol could be seen coming out of the float chamber cover, so it is definitely the needle valve which was at fault. It was again rubbed in without any abrasion, and up to the present the flooding has not re-occurred. The petrol pump now fitted to this car, is very efficient, a few turns with the starting handle is sufficient to pump petrol. [Signature] GWHancock G.W.H. | ||