Fuel pump tick frequency

Post by **Orkney** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:47 am

Is there a set pattern to how often they tick on a properly tuned engine?

On scabby the trav it ticks about every 3 seconds @ idle, seems a bit much?
getting quite convinced its running way too rich so having a look at it later, will inspect the plugs and see waht they look like.
Then top it up with fuel to get an accurate MPG as a starting point, hav done nearly 50 miles since filling it to the brim of the filler. Actually that was the second time this week - forgot to write down the mileage the first time when it was swarmed by a coachload of american tourists

Post by **Alec** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:15 am

Hello Orkney,

as you surmise, it is a function of how much fuel is required. Having said that apart from carburettor problems, set rich, leaks etc, it may also indicate that the pump\fuel line\filter (if fitted) has some minor problem.

Alec

Post by **Orkney** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:45 am

hi alec,
the lines are fine, no leaks (any more

) theres no filter so it cant be blocked and causing starvation.
I upped the idle a little while ago - only maybe 150rpm as the air filter was pretty blocked, never turned it back down since.
Just seems to be ticking too much - certainly a noticable LOT more than before turning up the idle.
Hmm manual time - reckon i may have turned up the mixture by mistake !

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:00 am

If the air filter is blocked - throw it away! Better with none (and good clean Orkney air) then running very rich due to blocked filter. Only worry about the ticking when it stops!

Post by **Orkney** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:17 am

The air filter got the slit with a knife treatment inside a lot of the flutes - just stops big things getting in. That was after i'd upped the idle. Sounds nice, bit like a K&N note to the exhaust now.
Actually have a spare K&N from the rangey induction kit I reckon will fit in the mog filter box with a bit of persuasion. Be nice if it will, wash and oil rather than replace = cheapness

Post by **Orkney** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:20 am

Right, just filled scabby back to the brim with petrol - pleasantly surprised, 34MPG - and thats neither long run consistent speed nor in traffic driving, mostly short journeys of 2-5 miles at a time on rural bendy roads.
Think thats pretty good - about 12.5p per mile average cant be too bad (given that fuels dearer here).

So it cant be running that rich if at all, time to scour fleabay for a cheap colourtune

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:06 pm

Don't waste money on colourtune!! Just check the mixture on the SU with the little lift pin - it's a built-in mixture setting device!