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).
Engine starting problems, starter motor faults, petrol performance, and carburetter issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0292 | |
| Date | 24th May 1936 | |
| ( 2 ) It is impossible to start without the throttle is half open. It gives one puff, finished, and so on. This is in our opinion due to gas only, being in the float chamber etc., and there not being sufficient depression in the inlet pipes to get the necessary flow of petrol. Upon opening the throttle half way the gas is sucked in, got rid of, float chamber fills up and a correct mixture is obtained. All this is due to excessive heat of carburetter parts, pipe line, etc. With regard to the starter motor, it disengages too freely. A much quicker start could be obtained if it remained engaged when one weak explosion takes place, as it is, it is thrown out of mesh (watching the engine for no apparent reason). It is definately faulty in engaging and on a bad cumbered surface, several attempts have had to be made before it would engage. Petrol. We have tried Azure & Esso. With Azure, there has been no sign of detonation engine run smoothly. With Esso under the same conditions, detonations could be heard up to 18 MPH. engine rougher and more liable to preignition after switching off. Upon making enquiries, it is ascertained that Esso petrol varies considerably, Azure petrol being kept more consistant. Stromberg Carburetter. We lost the throttle spring on our way down here and had to fit a temporary one at a garage. This spring was lighter and at times the throttle would not close while the engine was running. We have however traced this to a faulty fitting of the levers for the operation of the choke. There was not sufficient clearance for the pick up lever on the throttle spindle. A washer had been fitted apparently to take out shake, but in doing so did not allow sufficient freedom consequently bending was taking place. This has been corrected. ------------ G.W.H. | ||