Starting carburettor on cold mornings

[Guest]

The Galant has the mechanical fuel pump replaced by an electrical one and it's the worst starter I've got, plus it goes CLONK CLONK CLONK and does my head in. The mechanical one is still there but presumably it is knackered, as otherwise there wouldn't be a lot of point.

[Station]

Yeah, it has a mechanical fuel pump, which is run off the camshaft mounted on the cam cover. I know the Rascals had an electric one, probably because the tank is located further away.The engine isn't turning too well because the oil is cold, and it's taking ages, but does eventually get there. I might check the pump and give it a clean out, it's obviously struggling to get some up into the carb.If I put an electronic pump in, does it just run off a constant 'switched' live?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

yes.

[scruff]

I would check your battery earth/get a better battery if it is struggling to churn over, yep it's cold but this is a car not a lorry, it should still spin with some vigour.

[Station]

The battery was a new OE one in the summer!I've regrettably put it up for sale, as I really need a reliable set of wheels, but can't honestly see something like this selling during this season, so I think I'll head down to Halford tommorow and replace the entire ignition basics, oil and all the earthing wiring. Fingers crossed!One more question for you all: The ammeter on the dash reads -30 . 0 . +30, but when the car is driving it barely registers over 0. Shouldn't it be over this?

[Rocket88]

as long as it's on the right side of nought, that's ok, it will read more if you jump start a car with a flat battery, as then the system is working harder to re-charge the battery