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78 MGB won’t start

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78 MGB won’t start #1
JGT-MGB Jim T Pittsburgh, PA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) May 1, 2024 06:36 PM Joined 3 months ago 45 Posts

After sitting for a week, I tried to start my B this evening and unfortunately she wouldn’t start. Turning the key, the fuel pump clicking sounded louder than normal, and did not stop clicking. The car started for a few seconds and then stalled. After several attempts to start, no luck. And throughout the fuel pump was clicking.

I also removed the fuel line at the carb and was getting a few drops of fuel at best with the fuel pump clicking.

Any ideas where to start?

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Re: 78 MGB won’t start #4
bencii Ben Colpitts Eden Prairie, MN, USA Sign in to contact 1966 MG MGB 1973 MG MGB	May 2, 2024 10:34 AM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 3,138 Posts

Have you replaced the filter? Is it an su fuel pump?
Check for flow at pump. If pump is pumping fuel then there's a good chance that one of the rubber hoses has collapsed internally and needs to be replaced. Be sure you buy hose that is ethanol friendly. An SU pump should NOT have a filter before it. A filter could become clogged and the pump with burn up. The SU pump also has internal filters. Rebuild kits are available.

dbraun99.com
https://www.dbraun99.com › ...PDF
SU FUEL PUMPS FACTS AND MYTHS by Dave DuBois
Thanks to both Dave's for keeping this information available.

Ben
1966 MGB Tourer
1973 MGB Tourer

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Re: 78 MGB won’t start #5
BH Davis Grosvenordale, CT &, Warren, VT, USA Sign in to contact 1968 MG MGB GT "Primrose" 1973 MG MGB	May 2, 2024 10:46 AM Top Contributor Joined 17 years ago 4,381 Posts

Try starting fluid. If it fires up and runs for 3 or 4 seconds you know with 100% certainty it is the fuel flow. Given what you've done that's probably the case but it can be encouraging to hear the engine run for a few seconds on the starting fluid.

Also you can set up a direct to carbs line from a can/jar/jug of fuel. Be careful doing this though as you don't want leaks. Or hook a funnel to a long fuel hose with the other end on the front carb. Then solidly suspend the funnel and pour in some fuel. Like with the gas container just mentioned you'll have gravity flow of gas into the carbs.

All you really need to do is get the float bowls full of gas.

But as I already said your given what you've done it's almost certainly gas flow being stopped between the tank and the carbs.

BH

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-05-02 10:48 AM by BH Davis.

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Re: 78 MGB won’t start #6
JGT-MGB Jim T Pittsburgh, PA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) May 2, 2024 08:41 PM Joined 3 months ago 45 Posts

Thanks. Turns out the fuel pump went bad. Actually been going bad which had created other issues I was trying to resolved. Once the pump was replaced, not only did it start and run but the car performs much better

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Re: 78 MGB won’t start #2
Bob Allen Houston, TX, USA Sign in to contact 1978 MG MGB	May 1, 2024 06:47 PM Top Contributor Joined 5 years ago 2,251 Posts

Re: 78 MGB won’t start #3
JGT-MGB Jim T Pittsburgh, PA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) May 1, 2024 06:53 PM Joined 3 months ago 45 Posts

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