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).
Tests conducted to diagnose a faulty starting issue when the engine is hot.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 101\1\ scan0172 | |
| Date | 27th March 1936 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Bpr. c. to Bgr. c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} x500a Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWR.2/KW.27.3.36. 22-9-V.{VIENNA} Faulty Starting when hot. This has been reported daily in the 15,000 miles test. This trouble occurs after the car has stood 10, 15 or 30 mins. with a normally hot engine. Upon pressing the switch button with medium position of throttle spring, no signs of firing occurred. At the beginning, the time taken to get the engine to fire was from 30 secs. to 1 min. Upon firing, clouds of black smoke issued from the exhaust. Several seconds elapsed before it was cleared. We carried out the following tests. (1) The air intake pipe was removed. Results - on two occasions a quick start was made with very little sign of exhaust smoke. Further tests no improvement was obtained and it was finally proved that no reliable result could be obtained. (2) The breather pipe, or overflow pipe from the float chamber cover was removed. Result - the time factor in starting was cut down to 8, 10 seconds. Less smoke issued from the exhaust. This was more consistent. (3) The induction pipe hot spot was found not to be draining the wet petrol sufficiently. Approximately a tablespoonful of petrol remained in the centre. This was made to drain by filing a groove towards the drain hole. Result - practically no improvement was obtained. (4) The drain pipe union was removed from the float chamber cover, leaving a full 3/8" breather hole. Result - engine started up in 2 secs. Exhaust clear. This result remained consistent, either after stopping 10, 20 or 30 mins. (5) Straight pipe replacing the filter, etc. Result - no appreciable difference. | ||