Which type of fuel pump?

[Nuffles]

This may be a very stupid question but my fuel pump is giving up the ghost and I need a new one. I don't currently have a spare so I'm going to buy a new one and in due time get a set of points to fit to the old one and keep in the boot for future use. On the ESM website there is the original 'Fuel Pump (Genuine S.U.) Standard Type With Points' which is what I have, but the other type is 'Fuel Pump (Genuine S.U.) Electronic Type (Negative Earth)' in which I guess the points are replaced by a circuit board. It's only five quid more so is it worth getting the electronic one to save trouble with the points? I see that the electronic conversion kits are 40 odd quid so buying the whole pump seems like quite an efficient way to do it. Logic would dictate go with the electronic one but I may be missing something known to the larger Minor world that would advise against it. Quick replies would be appreciated as I want to get something ordered and reliability restored to my car! Thanks guys.

[bmcecosse]

Just clean the points - but certainly AVOID the electronic pump..........

[Nuffles]

Interesting, why avoid the electric one? I read elsewhere that cleaning the points takes off the coating that helps to stop arcing, and thus they foul up even more quickly. I do need a spare so I'll probably go with a new one but I'll get the points version rather than the electric one. Thanks for the help.

[MarkyB]

What would you do with the electronic one when it poops out?
Points can be replaced, electronics, less so.

[Nuffles]

Good point. Points it is. Thanks again, by the way.

[phurn]

isnt there a reasonable arguement that says that a good electronics pump would last much longer and require much less in the way of maintenance than a traditional unit?

i know there seems to be alot of negative ideas surrounding electronic pumps and dizzys on here, and i cant realy fathom out why, being an electronics student i spose you could call it a vested interest to push electronics. for example even you bmc, would love to fit a megajolt, a major peice of electronics!

unless ofcourse these units happen to be of awfull design, then i have no qualms with calling them s**t.

[bmcecosse]

Since the points pumps seem to last ~ 40 years........ and there have been quite a few reports of early failing electronic pumps - If I was to be buying one I think 40 years would be ample.............
Just clean the points - any 'coating' is long gone.........

[phurn]

i spose you have a point there. must be cheap design =/

[mike.perry]

You can always hit a standard fuel pump with a starting handle!

[simmitc]

A few years ago there was a batch of electronic pumps that were "iffy". More recently they have proved (for me) to be completely reliable, and I've now fitted them to three cars. Points - yes you can clean and replace, but whilst that's quite simple for a dizzy, would you really do it for a pump beside the road in the dark when it's raining, or would you fit a spare pump from the boot? About seven years ago I replaced my 40 year old pump with a new one with points. It lasted six months. Same old symptom of new versos old. It's luck of the drawer. With electronic ones, make sure that yo buy the correct type - available for +ve or -ve earth.

[chrisryder]

i've had an electronic pump fitted to my car since i bought the car (it came with the pump fitted) and i've only had one problem in the last 3 years/25,000 miles. half a tank and 'ran out of petrol' no life from the pump. loose wire. wiggled back into place. off i went. it was even one of these blue topped supposedly rubbish pumps. the only bad thing i have to say for it is that it seems to tick louder than a points pump. but it's never let me down, i keep a spare points one in the boot, as i've been told the 'when i dies you're f**ked' stories, but i've never needed it so far!

treat progress as what it is. progress.

[Declan_Burns]

Chris,
Fit an antivibration mount and that'll quieten it down-it makes a hell of a difference! I have had no problems with the blue (Hardi) pump either and it's been in the car close on four years. I do carry the old refurbished points pump in the boot.[frame][/frame]
Regards
Declan

[SGTBILKO]

As far as reliabilty is concerned I feel that mechanics have the edge over electronics. It may be just a quality issue. The antivibration mounting is an excellent idea and I shall be fitting one to my pump. Thank you for sharing it Declan!

[Alec]

Hello Nuffles,

there is no coating on the points, so they can be cleaned but it's unlikely that after much service you can dress them as the material is so hard (the same as a masonary bit tip).

I suspect the people that have fitted new points and suffered a relatively early failure is due to them not being set correctly, they need adjsuting not just replacing.

Alec