Fuel Pump Question

[Mr Morris]

Hi, my car has been laid up for a few months - I'm planning to get it out and ready for the upcoming Spring / Summer shows shortly. I have been reading about fuel pumps on here and people say that it should "tick" when the ignotion is swicthed on.

My car has a mechanical fuel pump, should this tick when the ignition is switched on as I've never heard it? One more query is how easy / necessary is it to take the pump out and give it a good clean? I would doubt it's ever been done (at least it hasn't while I've had the car) so would it benefit a clean etc.? I presume there is a filter in it which could be cleaned?

Many thanks.

[mike.perry]

If your car has a mechanical fuel pump then it is not a Morris Minor fitting. It would not tick as it is mechanical and is driven off the camshaft.

[bmcecosse]

No need to clean it - but the mechanical pump only delivers fuel when it is being operated by the engine - so, obviously I think, you will have to churn the engine a few revs before petrol gets to the carb....At least this starts the oil flowing round the engine before it fires up!

[Mr Morris]

Ah thanks, I wont bother cleaning it up then - no point messing with something that isn't broken!

[bmcecosse]

Exactly!