The cold start actuator on the fuel pump of my new shape townie is taking a long time to operate,if I feel the coolant pipe to it its cold but the heater pipe next to it is hot and the temp gauge is in the middle.
Reading the ace answers tells me that there are two coolant pipes going to this, but I can only find the one that comes frow a 'y'piece connector underneath the pump and goes directly onto the back of the actuator.
Can anyone tell me where the other pipe comes from or goes to as I feel the vave is taking a long time to operate due to a lack of flow thro it.
Thanks, Phil.

- (#8673) Phil, 26 May 03 14:56

Pull the pipes off and check that the actuator isn't bunged up with gunk. I had to ram a piece of welding wire into mine at one stage to break a lump of scale away...

Flow comes from the back of the head under the manifold, return goes to a "T" on the heater return line under the injection pump IIRC

- (#8674) david miller, 27 May 03 1:20

Thank you for your response to my question about the cold start actuator,excellent advise as per norm.
I found the upper pipe from the rear of the cylinder head and on removal it was blocked with sludge.A good poke with a wire into the pipe and actuator followed by a flush soon cleared them both.
No expense spared I replaced the grip type pipe clips with 12 mm jubilee clips for extra security.
Actuator now working fine,also I've noticed that the engine temperature gauge is now not rising slightly as far as it used to so maybe the blockage of this pipe from the rear of the cylinder head to the lower block via the actuator could be one of the contributing factors to engine overheating problems.
Thanks again,
Phil.

- (#8789) phil richards, 27 May 03 13:32

Nail on the head, actually, Phil. The cold start device forms part of the bypass circuit. Blockages here can cause flow stagnation, and as the gauge sensor is just beside that fitting on the head...

- (#8790) david miller, 27 May 03 14:01