Engine earth strap

Post by **Dominic** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:51 pm

Is a separate earth required for the engine? There is a good bond between gearbox & earth, and the gearbox is of course bolted firmly to the engine. It seems to run with no problems!

Post by **Matt** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:22 pm

No... the earth at the gearbox is the engine earth...

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:31 pm

Just to state the obvious - if it looks in ANY way dodgy, replace it, or you'll start a fire when you use the starter motor.
Yes, guess who forgot to re-fit it when replacing an engine

Post by **Dominic** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:40 pm

Thanks Matt & Andrew. The strap looks in very fine fettle, so I'll leave well alone!

Post by **Willie** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:40 pm

What BIG GINGER meant was that if the earth strap is dodgy the only earth
path to the engine is via the throttle and choke cables!! When using the starter these will heat up very rapidly!!!

Post by **Dominic** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:45 pm

Reminds me of when I was a student in the 70's with my 1st car, a Fiat 500. A friend insisted that bell wires would suffice for jump leads... boy did they flame beautifully!!!

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:46 pm

Indeed - or the gearbox steady, if you're lucky, which is a wee bit less dramatic, but still much heat very close to the cross member, which can be full of brake fluid/oil and close to the fuel pipe. Call me paranoid...