Utterly fed up...won't start : MG Midget Forum : The MG Experience

Utterly fed up...won't start #1
Runthencycle Tim B Liverpool, Merseyside, UK Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 03:04 PM Joined 9 years ago 14 Posts

Mg 1500. Normally fine but underused. Engine turns but no fire. To be honest I haven't a clue. Battery....ok. Carbs seem ok...solenoid...think ok. Starter motor turns ok.
Think it's the fuel. opened the fuel pump. Dry ...is dry good?
Read somewhere that you can put fuel artificially into the pump, close it up and then start it again.
My knowledge and skill base is...frankly pants
yes, it's got petrol in!
any help before I set fire to it

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #2
MadGe Jaysen O'Dell St Helena Is, SC, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 17, 2014 03:22 PM Joined 9 years ago 315 Posts

if the pump was pumping there would be gas in it so … not good?

I can't help much as I don't know the MG way. I think you need to prime the pump to get the air out. in the past I've seen a small amount of fuel fed in the output side of the pump.

BUT

If there was fuel in the tank, I would expect gravity would get you enough prime to get the pump working. Have you checked to make sure the fuel supply lines are connected and not blocked? Meaning if you take the input side of of the fuel pump and disconnect it does gas flow out (put container on floor, put end of line in container, fuel should start running into container.

Jaysen
===============================
MadGe -- 1975 MG Midget for fun and driving the Mrs around.
Annabelle -- Wife's 2014 Chevy Volt parts getter for MadGe (and to make up for all the gas I burn).

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #3
Runthencycle Tim B Liverpool, Merseyside, UK Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 03:30 PM Joined 9 years ago 14 Posts

Thanks
Headache...

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #4
refisk Rick Fisk Frankenmuth, MI, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 17, 2014 03:52 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 14,653 Posts

The fuel pump on a 1500 is a mechanical pump mounted on the engine - above the fuel tank, so gravity will not be helping. If the pump is dry either the pump is bad or the line to the tank is bad. The line may have a hole in it or it may be plugged. Or the pickup in the tank may be plugged.

Are you absolutely positive there is fuel in the tank?

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #5
James E Jimmy Campbell Bedford, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1967 Triumph TR4A 1971 MG Midget MkIII 1973 MG Midget MkIII	Sep 17, 2014 03:54 PM Joined 12 years ago 4,462 Posts

Tim, what do you mean that you opened up the fuel pump?

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #6
refisk Rick Fisk Frankenmuth, MI, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 17, 2014 03:57 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 14,653 Posts

It's a mechanical pump - take out a few screws and you have two big pieces in your hand and the diaphragm that does the pumping is right there for all to see. grinning smiley

In reply to # 2799876 by James E Tim, what do you mean that you opened up the fuel pump?

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #7
Runthencycle Tim B Liverpool, Merseyside, UK Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 04:07 PM Joined 9 years ago 14 Posts

Thanks for your replies.
What do I mean?
I unscrewed the top of the fuel pump...on the side of the engine. Lifted it off. Inside is dry, there is a small circular brass fitting...and that's about it. The seal too.
I was under the impression that should at least smell petrol like.
Don't think it does

The car has been great for the near ten years I have owned it, but if there was any criticism it's used sparingly

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #8
Runthencycle Tim B Liverpool, Merseyside, UK Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 04:10 PM Joined 9 years ago 14 Posts

I have been a bit of a chicken...only removing the top. Perhaps I need to be a bit braver? perhaps I need to take it off and dissect it! Clean it, reassemble
God loves a trier

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #9
James E Jimmy Campbell Bedford, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1967 Triumph TR4A 1971 MG Midget MkIII 1973 MG Midget MkIII	Sep 17, 2014 04:19 PM Joined 12 years ago 4,462 Posts

See if you can blow back thru the gas line to the tank with the cap off. Do you have fuel filters? Maybe clogged.

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #10
Runthencycle Tim B Liverpool, Merseyside, UK Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 04:27 PM Joined 9 years ago 14 Posts

Jimmy...you the man, but apart from the air in my lungs, what else can you use to blow...I have no compressed air. A bike pump!
Would that help. Blowing down it?

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #11
77Midget Y.. Lee western, USA Sign in to contact 1977 MG Midget 1500 "Some Friend" 1998 Lincoln Mark Lt "Mark VIII" 2002 Subaru Forester "Suba Too" 2006 Honda Civic "Civic" & more	Sep 17, 2014 04:35 PM Joined 13 years ago 2,145 Posts

Hi Tim,
One of the first things I did to my 1500, was to eliminate the mechanical fuel pump and add a low pressure electrical pump and fuel pressure regulator, be sure to put one in and set the pressure to 2-3 psi

Y.

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #12
James E Jimmy Campbell Bedford, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1967 Triumph TR4A 1971 MG Midget MkIII 1973 MG Midget MkIII	Sep 17, 2014 04:38 PM Joined 12 years ago 4,462 Posts

Lung power should be enough, how about the filters?

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #13
Runthencycle Tim B Liverpool, Merseyside, UK Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 04:49 PM Joined 9 years ago 14 Posts

Ok, on the subject of filters. I know what filter coffee looks like. I could describe that easily
Filters in the pump? Tricky
I am guessing the brass/ gold looking circle thing that looks very small. That's the only " filter" I can see with the top off
If that's it, how do I get it out and clean

If that's not it, where is and how do I get it out and clean
Assume no mechanical intelligence. Stunningly brilliant in many walks of life.....but limited in mg midgets...but trying

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #14
James E Jimmy Campbell Bedford, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1967 Triumph TR4A 1971 MG Midget MkIII 1973 MG Midget MkIII	Sep 17, 2014 07:31 PM Joined 12 years ago 4,462 Posts

By the way Tim, welcome to the forum! The gas filter should be in the fuel line between the pump and the carb. or maybe under the car in the rear between the tank and the solid line going to the front of the car.

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Re: Utterly fed up...won't start #15
jon baxter Telford, Salop, UK Sign in to contact 1979 MG M-Type Midget	Sep 18, 2014 05:07 AM Joined 9 years ago 97 Posts

Hi Tim
If you fuel lines are transparent can you see the fuel moving in the pipe? Also try cranking engine for longer than usual this will force the pterol pump to REALLY suck petrol ; ) It worked for me i think i just had an air blockage

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