Loss of power

[murgatroid]

Whilst driving quite happily at 50mph sudden loss of power, with foot on accelerator dropped from 50 to nil and then stalled whilst still having foot on accelerator. Changed down gear when losing power but made no difference. Started car again, started first time then stalled. This happened 3 times, tried to use choke but didn't help. On 4th time of starting, started first time then was fine for the rest of the journey home )about 4 miles). This has happened twice in the last fortnight with no warning and both times when in 4th gear. Fuel tank full, oil and water OK, spark plugs fine. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Elaine French
(Murgatroid's mum)

[Alec]

Hello Elaine,

my first thought is that the fuel pump is failing, next time it stops and won't start, lift the bonnet and tap the fuel pump with something (small stone?) if it starts ticking then that is your problem. It is not the only thing that could cause your problem but it is quite common.

Good luck

Alec

[bmcecosse]

Yep - does sound like fuel starvation. You could of course do some preventive maintenance on it - and clean the points - so the problem never occurs again ! Hopefully.

[Roni]

I had this on a previous Minor 25 years ago. The car ran fine and then would just stop, sometimes in embarrasing places ( out with a girl on a quiet road. I don't think she believed me that it was a genuine break down especially when it started up first time when I tried it to go home.), sometimes in dangerous places (halfway through passing a truck on a busy road). After stopping and checking everything it would run like normal until the next time. It was the points sticking closed in the fuel pump and the problem would "fix" itself when the ignition was turned off and on again.Cleaning the points fixed the problem.

[Kevin]

When it happens can you still hear the pump ticking if not follow the advice given