Fuel Pump (not)

Post by **rupert** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:46 pm

Hi Guys and Gals,
I'm moving ahead with Molly's restoration and I've decided that its time to get her engine started, so I've been rewiring the dash and I have the fuel pump up and running, and fuel in the tank... and the pump is clicking away ... and nothing is coming out! Any ideas on what to try? its really quite weird. She's been standing for about 2 years or so and the tank has been out (in the shed)

I've had silent pumps before which needed new points, but never an over enthusiastic one which doesn't pump!

Rupert

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:50 pm

If it's ticking quickly, that implies air is leaking in on the inlet side. If it's ticking slowly, that implies there is a blockage somewhere. You could try connecting the inlet of the pump to a length of hose and running it into a can to check that the pump itself is OK.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:40 pm

If the pump itself is ok (checked as Alex describes) then there are 3 reasons to get the problem you have.
1) air leak into the fuel pipe or at the pump connector
2) blocked fuel pipe or blocked tank pick up pipe
3) no fuel in the tank!

Post by **rupert** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:12 am

thanks for the info,
the ticking is really quick, it sounds like it is trying (just not hard enough!)

I'll try running the pump on the bench, I can feel it pushing on the outlet side, but an air leak on the inlet sidwe does sound feasable. The pipe is quite new so I could have crossed the thread on the tank connection, or have some dirt in the pickup/ pipe

thanks for the help

Rupert

Post by **Willie** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:57 pm

Try blowing back down the supply pipe from the tank after disconnecting
it from the pump and listen for the bubbling. This could dislodge any blockage,even if only temporarily, and get you up and running.

Post by **d_harris** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:16 pm

I had this as one of the problems I have encountered, it was the tank - it seemed solid but the fuel seeped out and then when I tried the drain plug it ripped a hole

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:13 pm

Fast ticking is a sign of air leakage - or just maybe totally blocked filter on the pump so no fuel can come up and the pump hammers away on an empty chamber. Unscrew the brass hex on the lower part of the body and clean out the gauze filter - then try priming it with a small amount of petrol so it has something to pump.

Post by **rupert** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:10 pm

Gentlemen you have surpassed yourselves yet again!

I took a look tonight and it turned out that I had got some paint on the thread of the tank end connector, so it felt tight but the pipe was loose, I loosened it off, ran a knife round the thread and nipped it up tight and it was all sorted!

Well done everyone!

Rupert

p.s. As the restoration is progressing (in spite of my infidelity) I will be inviting some of the local members round for tea and cake (there may be some windscreen fitting involved ... ;o)

Post by **MoggyTech** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:47 pm

I will be inviting some of the local members round for tea and cake (there may be some windscreen fitting involved ... ;o)

I'm game

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:16 pm

Windscreen is dead easy on a Minor - but I strongly advise a) a new rubber and b) do it on a warm sunny day - with the sun shining on the rubber to make it as pliable as possible. Do NOT be tempted to use washing up liquid as lubricant! It contains huge amounts of salt which will remain trapped in there until it rots it's way out. Vaseline or (dare I say ?) KY jelly! And don't use a steel screwdriver - flat piece of hard wood or plastic won't chip the glass - or score the paint so easily when it slips!