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).
Various mechanical failures and issues observed during testing, including oil pipes, induction pipes, piston knocks, water pump, and suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M3\M3.4\ img049 | |
| Date | 26th September 1924 | |
| -3- EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. REF: HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL/LG26.9.24. When a thicker oil is used. Extra oil pipe broke at the bend behind the carburetter. This is the third pipe that has failed out here in exactly the same place. When this occurred on 9PK, all the engine oil was lost, and a very bad knock in the engine commenced - appears to be a big end - a considerable amount of bearing metal was found in the bottom half afterwards. This knock has decreased considerably since it first occurred, and is now practically non-existent. Induction pipe cracked round the brazing of No. 3. elbow. (This is the second pipe cracked out here). There is a graduated oil level indicator fitted on this car, which is impossible to read. The scale is fixed to the crankcase about 1 1/4" behind the level indicator. The scale should be on the level indicator itself to be convenient to read. Piston knocks have been bad all through when starting up from cold. The engine gears were also noisy at the beginning of the test, and have not improved. WATER PUMP. This has a stainless steel spindle fixed. The spindle has not worn appreciably, or the bushes, but there is excessive clearance between the two, and we have had to pack the gland continually. It appears that too much clearance was allowed in the first place. GENERAL. Petrol Tank Suspension. This requires to be made more rigid. On two cars the belts have come loose, and the petrol tank thus floated about. On 9-PK car this was the cause of a petrol pipe fracture. Two front springs broken, as per previous reports. Rear axle driving dogs are loose on the splines of the axle shaft, and also in the hubs. The frame is slightly buckled in under the front axle buffers. contd :- | ||