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Fuel pump problem

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Fuel pump problem
#1
jimmyp Jimmy P
Birmingham, England, UK   GBR
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I have recently got my electricity and almost all aspects of the engine functioning, however, my engine won't start. The starter and all are cranking fine but the fuel is not being pumped to the engine as indicated by the absence of gasoline in the glass filter capsule. I assume that the fuel pump is not working properly. Attached are a few photographs of the pump so if any of you have any idea of what the problem might be, please post.
Thank you for having a look.


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Re: Fuel pump problem
#2
joron Avatar
joron Silver Member Michel Joron
Roxboro, QC, Canada   CAN
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1977 MG MGB "Victoria"
2018 Jaguar XE "Meghan"
First question how old is the fuel pump ?

The old mechanic SU pump has points and they have the nasty habit to rust in place when the car was not used for more than 1 year. You will need to service the pump if it is the case.
The electronics one are much better nearly eternal. Which do you have ?


Do you hear some noise when the ignition is on even if you disconnect the fuel line to the carb(s) ?
Disconnect the fuel lines and and the power and test it standalone.
If the SU works if there is a blockage on the fuel line to the carb the SU pump will stop automatically.


1977 MGB Red 'Victoria' and 2018 Jaguar XE 'Meghan'
All Classics:
Married, 2 children, MG MGB May to December, Jaguar the rest of the year.

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#3
jimmyp Jimmy P
Birmingham, England, UK   GBR
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It is about 25-30 years old and it has wires feeding all around it and into a crevice behind it so I would imagine that it's electric. I had the pump working maybe 1-2 years ago but rust still may be a problem. And I tried disassembling the hoses to the carb to see if it was pumping any gas and of course no gas ran through

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#4
joron Avatar
joron Silver Member Michel Joron
Roxboro, QC, Canada   CAN
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1977 MG MGB "Victoria"
2018 Jaguar XE "Meghan"
With the main fuel line disconnect (from the pump to the carb) and if you put the ignition to on you should hear click click click clic, it not try to measure if you have some voltage at the pump if you have voltage well it is time to tap to the main part of the pump once awhile it works while the ignition is on.
If you don't have any voltage then it is time to follow the wire up to the fuse (check the fuses).
Most of the time the points are shot.


If you decide to renew the pomp make sure you buy a pump which doesn't provide more than 3.5 PSI (4 psi max max); which is very low output as today criteria. You could always rebuild the pump too.


1977 MGB Red 'Victoria' and 2018 Jaguar XE 'Meghan'
All Classics:
Married, 2 children, MG MGB May to December, Jaguar the rest of the year.

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#5
ingoldsb Avatar
ingoldsb Silver Member Terry Ingoldsby
Calgary, AB, Canada   CAN
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1971 MG MGB
Even if you can get it working, I wouldn't trust it. Get a rebuild kit (Victoria British sells them - Moss doesn't) and rebuild the pump. If you do it properly it will last for many more years.


Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#6
RichPho Avatar
RichPho Joe P
Richmond, USA   USA
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1980 MG MGB "M-Gizzle"
I bought mine from Basil Adams on here... Blue German??? Can't remember the brand now, but it's been working like a champ.

Seriously, it will eliminate a bunch of hassle on the side of the road if you flip the coin for a new pump...


Joe Powers
_________________________
Just outside Richmond, VA.
1980 MGB - Driven Daily


Not Much Original - Not Much Custom

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#7
ddubois Avatar
ddubois Dave DuBois (RIP)
Bremerton, WA, USA   USA
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Replace the pump - the one in your car is a very early version of the ECCO pump being sold today. They were not as reliable as they should be and they had a tenancy to crack and leak fuel (which looks like your pump has already done. I would also suggest that you check that the pump is getting power and has a good ground to it - you will need that for whatever replacement pump you purchase.
Cheers,


Dave DuBois
1953 MGTD
1966 MGB
http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#8
mac townsend
Fairfield, CA, USA   USA
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1973 MG MGB MkIII
replace the pump. You will have a choice of local-to-you vendors. No reason to buy from the US sources listed<G>

It is also (IMHO) not necessary to replace it with an SU unit but any electric pump with a 2-4 PSI output should be fine and possibly at half the cost.

I'm not a fan of SU pumps, having exhausted my interest in them some 50 years ago<G>


1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#9
jimmyp Jimmy P
Birmingham, England, UK   GBR
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Thanks for all of the feedback. I'll probably try a few things out and then go get a new one.
Jimmy

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#10
ingoldsb Avatar
ingoldsb Silver Member Terry Ingoldsby
Calgary, AB, Canada   CAN
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1971 MG MGB
Gosh - I missed that it wasn't a genuine SU - it was so dirty that I didn't notice. The other guys are right - get a new pump.

I would recommend a genuine SU pump, but if cost is an issue, the Facet pumps sold by Moss and others are acceptable (but noisy).


Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#11
mgb RIP Avatar
mgb RIP Steve E
Northants, Wellingborough, UK   GBR
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1970 Lotus Elan
1970 MG MGB "The Mongrel"
1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
1978 Ferrari 308 GTS    & more
In reply to # 2670069 by ddubois Replace the pump - the one in your car is a very early version of the ECCO pump being sold today. They were not as reliable as they should be and they had a tenancy to crack and leak fuel (which looks like your pump has already done. I would also suggest that you check that the pump is getting power and has a good ground to it - you will need that for whatever replacement pump you purchase.
Cheers,

X2 on Dave's advice renew that pump, but for sure Dick will be around soon as you don't want any tenants in your pump at any cost.

Yes the early Ecco pumps had a 'tendency' to crack on the plastic body. (don't you just love spell check)

There are plenty of original SU pumps refurbished on eBay and not that expensive. Otherwise try BurlenSU direct http://sucarb.co.uk/su-fuel-pumps-spares/single-hp-pumps-kits.html

DO NOT fit anything else unless you declare it to your insurance..........and before anyone in US jumps on the comment it is a UK insurance requirement if changed from OE.smileys with beer

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#12
jimmyp Jimmy P
Birmingham, England, UK   GBR
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It's a little late, but I stayed up and took off the fuel pump. I should be purchasing a new pump soon. Thank you everyone for helping and also thank you steve for reminding me about the insurance guidelines. I'll keep that in mind.

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#13
rntanner Avatar
rntanner Roger N. Tanner (Disabled)
Oxnard, CA, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB
1977 MG MGB
Install a brand new steel fuel line.

They are often full of rust from condensate collected in the tank, every night the cars cools down.

My 1977 MGB line was almost completely closed with rust.


Roger N. Tanner
Professional Engineer, Retired

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#14
ShortJoe Avatar
ShortJoe Joe S
Framingham, MA, USA   USA
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1975 MG MGB MkIV
Also, for a little extra protection add a filter between the tank and the pump. This will help prevent any rust in the tank from damaging your new pump.

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Re: Fuel pump problem
#15
NNN Avatar
NNN Norman Nalepa
FL, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB MkII "ANNA"
1979 MG MGB "Chick Mobile"
I would check to see if you have power to the pump. If you do buy a new pump. That one has seen its better days. IMHO the cost to repair would be more than a new one.

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