Engine 'Died'

[chrisgriffiths]

Hi Everyone,

I went for a run in 'Mable' yesterday and after about ten mile the engine suddenly died on me , on a dual carriage way when I was doing about sixty. The engine seemed to splutter a bit and then cut out. When I pulled over I immediatley tried to start her up which she did first time and then ran pretty smoothly all the way home (about seven miles).
I was wondering.... I have heard what I think is the fuel pump clicking away recently and was wondering if this is a sign of the fuel pump going/failing.

I'm asking if anyone has anything similar before I 'wade in' etc. Anyone any ideas

Best Regards
Chris

[bmcecosse]

Clicking is good...worry about it when it stops clicking...

[chrisgriffiths]

Ah Good...cheers

[bmcecosse]

It may well have stopped - the 'splutter' does tend to suggest a fuel supply problem. You should clean the points in the pump before running the car again. And arm yourself with a spare pump....

[simmitc]

Also consider condenser and rotor arm as possible culprits. If you change them, then keep the old ones until you have proved that they are faulty.

[bmcecosse]

A complete spare dizzy is best...just drop it in... But ignition problems tend to be a dead cut of the power - perhaps coming back for a few seconds - then cutting out again. Fuel shortage tends to be a splutter/petering out kind of effect.... The simple test of course is to inject some flammable gas/petrol into the carb and crank it.. if it starts for a few seconds the problem was fuel. If nothing - it's ignition...

[SteveClem]

Don't suppose you've got some crappy old in- line fuel filter somewhere? That's what did me some years ago.

[chrisgriffiths]

Ah !
Actually the previous owner has installed an in line fuel filter between the fuel pump and the carb. I was wondering if that may cause problems, but not sure how

[GBond]

The problem does appear to be lack of fuel; the pump isn't very strong so indeed the resistance from the filter could be causing the problem. A partial blocking of the fuel pipe from the tank to the pump is less likely but also possible, as happened in my dad's Triumph which had the same symptoms you describe.

[bmcecosse]

Get rid of the after-market filter.. It's NOT necessary!!