Cold start advance

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Wooscary
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Cold start advance

Post by Wooscary »

So, after seeing pictures of other people's cold start advance mechs, I realised that mine is missing the wire/cable that comes out of the end of it. The car wasn't ever much of a problem in the cold, but I always let the glow plugs do their thing a couple of times before starting last winter.

I now have a replacement (thanks Ruffgeezer), and am going to fit it, but I don't understand where the wire/cable goes to. I'm assuming something to do with the throttle to give more fuel? Errr.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Martin
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Post by mat_fenwick »

It goes to the fuel pump to advance the injection timing when cold. Not 100% exactly where on the (more common) Lucas pump which I'm assuming you have, but recently got another BX with the Lucas system so will have a look tonight.

It doesn't make a massive amount of difference in my experience - the timing advance on my van (with a similar pump) is manual and the handbook states that you only need to touch it in sub zero temperatures. I'm going to replace mine on the BX as it does not function, but the only symptom is an ever so slightly rough idle for the first couple of seconds.
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Post by Jaba »

If you have a Haynes there is a good pic there of the cable position. You need a nipple of some sort to fit on the end though.

Mine had stuck permanently on earlier this year. I knew something was wrong because the tickover was higher than usual, mpg was lower than normal by 3 or 4 and performance was lacking. So it does do something!

I think you only really need it when the temps are very low, and that is when you need the car to start. So it is worth having IMO.

The same device on the Bosch pump only increases the tickover until it warms up. There is a separate advance mechanism.
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Post by Wooscary »

Mat, Jaba, thanks. I'll take a look at Haynes (although I've only got the petrol/full car one, not the diesel, is it the same?).

I've got a little knarp/clamp on the cable on the part, so I guess that's what attaches it.

Cheers

Martin
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Post by mat_fenwick »

The full car manual doesn't mention the diesels, so no use in this respect. I could have sworn that on my Bosch pump BX the waxstat was attached to the advance mechanism, but just checked now and it isn't.

I'll have a look at my Lucas equipped one tonight (assuming I remember :oops: ) and get a photo.
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Post by mat_fenwick »

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Does this help at all? Not helped by lack of light and only a phone camera.
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Post by docchevron »

I reckon your intercooler isn't as efficient as it could be there mate..
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Post by Wooscary »

Cheers for the picture. I can't quite see where the cable goes, but there are only so many options I suppose.

Stupidly decided not to do any car stuff while it was nice and warm. Now it doesn't seem such an attractive option.