A fuel pumping apparatus for a compression ignition engine includes a fluid pressure operable piston for determining the timing of delivery of fuel. Fuel control means is provided which includes a lever operable to increase the idling speed of the engine when cold. The apparatus also includes a mechanism operable by said lever to achieve from the hot idling position retarding the timing of delivery for starting and advancing of the timing of delivery for cold idling. The mechanism includes a pair of members the one member being movable by said lever and the faces of the members having tang and slot connections in their presented faces and the other member and the end of the piston having further tang and slot connections. The slot of one of said tang and slot connections being of varying depth.