Our technical series continues with a Silver Shadow service, giving a glimpse into how the professionals tackle the job – and how you could do so at home

With this Technical Guide series having run for well over two years now, it’s high time we took a look at the subject of routine service jobs on the ever-popular Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and its Bentley T-series sibling. Here we’ll delve into such tasks as changing the engine oil, plugs and filters change, plus other essential fluid checks.

The car that Flying Spares used for this was a recent acquisition, a Silver Shadow dating from 1977. With a white exterior and cream interior, it looked decent enough from a distance. On closer inspection, however, it probably needs a full engine rebuild – something that’s not unusual for a Silver Shadow of this age that has been well-used. They frequently suffer from water pump and carburettor failures, as well as all manner of hydraulic system and oil lubrication system issues.

A service is a great way to get to know a new car, as well as to improve its performance, protect vital components and identify potential problems. While all the individual jobs are quite straightforward, there’s a lot to cover, and certain aspects require real attention to detail.

For example, when changing the oil, it is vital to ensure that both the new conical cork sealing washer and cup washer are fitted correctly. Failure to do this can allow unfiltered oil to pass up the centre of the filter, potentially damaging the engine bearings – an expensive mistake. Less serious, but still annoying, are simple things like ensuring that the HT leads are pressed back on correctly, as loose fitment can cause a misfire when running.

In terms of products, an oil filter kit makes life easy by including all the seals and O-rings. We used NGK spark plugs, a syringe-like tool to test the coolant, and Flying Spares’ own premium PHC Green.

As always, please note that these Tech Guide features are intended as general guidance only. For model-specific instructions, please refer to your owner’s manual. Finally, and we can’t emphasise this enough, safety is paramount. Please use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and dispose of waste products responsibly. Good luck… and mind your head!

Browse our selection of service items for the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T Series

Click the links for the step-by-step guide

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