Help needed - fuel leak?

[stephenpolhill]

Hi there. Today with our branch we are taking a few of the old people at a local home out for a drive in the minors. My problem is on a drive last night, my cars fuel pump started ticking really quick, then normal, then quick again. For most of the way home. It coughed a couple of times too. The ticking goes mad when I accelerate slightly and stop when I lift off.
I am currently at my friends with no tools but I suspect there's a small leak in the engine bay fuel line because I spotted I tiny stream of fuel on the wiper motor. What could I wrap round the line to see if it stops it. Cling film then tin foil? Or would that melt something?
Thank you in advance

[MarkyB]

Firstly find the leak!
Make every effort to replace it, nothing you can wrap round it is likely to fix it in a satisfactory way.
Even plastic pipe would be a better short term cure than wrapping anything round perished rubber if that's what it is.

[stephenpolhill]

Ok. I've been advised it could be due to the hot weather. I said about the 'leak' because I spotted it as if there a small squirt from the pipe but it was there this morning, not evaporated. I'll see how she goes today and report if any problems. New fuel line I think ill get. The current one isn't perished from what I see.

[MarkyB]

It would stink of petrol if it was being sprayed around, I don't think there would be any doubt.

[stephenpolhill]

Thank you. Puts my mind at ease. No smell of petrol

[Neil MG]

Yes if there is no petrol smell it's probably not leaking (enough to make the fuel pump race). Pump going crazy is either drawing in air (from somewhere between pump and fuel in tank) or split diaphragm/leaking valve in the pump. My guess would be the pump. See if anyone in the club has a good spare as it's a quick and easy swap.

[bmcecosse]

It's just 'the vapours' from the hot weather some parts of the country seem to be enjoying........

[Neil MG]

Yes Roy, I think you are probably right!

[MarkyB]

Was it not scorchio up there then Roy

[buffscrag71]

Had exactly the same thing happen these last few hot days. A bit cooler today - back to normal ticking!

[stephenpolhill]

Touch wood. I used the Honda to come to work today so will try the old girl later. I have an MMOC meeting this evening and I think one of the member is bringing a spare fuel pump so we'll see.
The issue is I drove 45 mins to Ely to do our annual 'take a few oldies out in moggies' trip and 3 other Mogs did exactly the same journey with only one ticking slightly faster than normal. Mine was constant. Thats the concern - why mine and not the others in the same weather. Where should I check for any air leaks?

[MarkyB]

I have a pet theory based on examining a car that doesn't suffer, mine, and one that does, my friends.
The one that suffers is a traveller and I found that the exhaust is 2 or 3 inches closer to the petrol pipe where they both go over the back axle than on my car.
As the petrol pipe goes right up into a dome in the underfloor it is in pole position to capture heat, which rises of course.

As with any theory, I'd welcome research, and reject hearsay and peoples opinions!

[bmcecosse]

Could be down to how the diaphragm is set in the pump - and if the filter in the pump is perhaps choked.... But the exhaust closeness could well have an important bearing too.

[stephenpolhill]

Right. Dad tightened the nut on the end of the pump and I took it for a drive, and she ran fine. I went home, got my bag and drove to the end of my road on the way to the MMOC meet when it started ticking madly again & was jumpy/misfiring quite alot as I was pulling out of the junction so I took her home again. It wasn't warm yesterday evening and she hadn't been doing a higher speed journey this time.
So from the responses, I should check:
The fuel pump filter & diaphragm to see if that is alright
The fuel line for any possible leaks.

Is this correct? I only have a few evenings in the week to check it so would need a list of things to go round and check.

Thanks
Stephen