SU Petrol Pump Problems

Post by **PaulJohnson** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 2:46 pm

Hello everyone

Ok after a 30 mins wait to open the bonnet ( Just a bit warm outside today ) I have cleaned all the contact`s, I had to do this as they were full of grease, now then there is a large bolt at the bottom of the pump, I take it that this is the filter?.

Anyway it`s staying there as we have the same problem as the Thermostat Housing (the dam thing won`t come off!!)

I have just given the moggy a run to Bakewell and she was fine but when I was going up hill you could hear the sound again, the car did not splutter but you could feel it losing power.

Post by **Chris Morley** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 4:15 pm

Fuel starvation can cause engines to lose power for a time without stopping. The fault may be a weak pump or it might be debris from the fuel tank blocking the fuel line. Either way a trickle of fuel may still get through, enough to keep the engine turning over but causing a loss of power.

Paul - a good rachet should easily undo the fuel filter nut -but hold onto the body of the pump at the same time to get more leverage. The torque action might twist the side of the battery box if you don't, or even fracture the fuel line.

Post by **PaulJohnson** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 8:16 pm

Thanks Chris:

I will have another go with it tommorow, I think that the nut is a bit stiff so I have put some plus gas on it and I will leave it to soak in until tommorow.

Best Wishes Paul

Post by **PaulJohnson** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 8:30 pm

Oh!!
One other thing Chris.

The fuel pump looks to be newish, there is a metal strip that is stamped re-con 2001.

i do know that when i bought my moggy in Feb this year that a new fuel pipe was fitted from the pump to the tank.

Do you think a bottle of red-X will do anything?.

Best Wishes Paul

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 12:37 pm

Fuel starvation can cause engines to lose power for a time without stopping

Chis is right especially with the current weather conditions, and sometimes you even have to stop to let things cool down a little.
Grumpy`s sell a heat shield to help cure it but talking to people who have fitted it, they have said it does not make a lot of difference ( does anyone know better )

Post by **PaulJohnson** » Wed Aug 06, 2003 2:18 am

You might be right Kevin on what you said about letting thing`s cool down.

When I first heard the nosice the car had been going about a avrege of 45-50mph for 1&1/2 hrs.

Also Cam,Chris & Kevin my moggy has done just over 6000 miles since it last service, when do you services yours?.

P.s Took the filter out of the fuel pump seemed ok to me.

Best Wishes Paul

Post by **Cam** » Wed Aug 06, 2003 11:52 am

I service mine every 3,000 - 4,000 miles

Post by **Chris Morley** » Wed Aug 06, 2003 1:42 pm

At least you eliminated fuel starvation due to debris in the fuel line. It might be due to petrol vapourisation.

I service mine once yearly (after about 3,500 miles?), except brake adjustment and trunnion greasing (3 times a year). Oil and filters are the most important things in the service, + checking contact gap. However my sparkplugs, condensor etc have lasted 3 years. I really should change them this summer.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Aug 07, 2003 9:43 am

I do the same as Chris and Cam either 3,000 or once a year in a low mileage year with a couple of grease ups and adjustments on top.

Post by **Chris Morley** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 12:16 am

Paul, you're not alone with fuel vapourisation difficulties. I suffered it for the first time ever when I left work yesterday afternoon (the temperature was a blistering 95F /35C). My poor old mog had been baking in the sun all day.

In my usual fashion I was soon tanking along when the engine suddenly became a bit hesitant. Soon after I got caught in traffic and started having problems whenever I tried to accelerate after being stationary. By driving gently and coasting a bit the problem soon eased. I quickly pulled over in the shade of a large tree and lifted the bonnett.

No problems at all with the cooling system (25% glycol) but the fuel pipe was almost too hot to touch. My high tech solution? Using the spare bottle in the boot I dribbled water over the fuel pipe area for a few minutes. It solved the problem.

I wonder what owners in hot countries do to avoid fuel vapourisation?

Post by **PaulJohnson** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:08 am

You Might have hit the nail on the head Chris.

Before I went over the Snake Pass to Sheffield from Manchester I was stuck in traffic for about 45mins Nr Glossop, The temp that day was about 25or26.c

Maybe the heat has expanded somthing inside the Fuel pump & that is why it make a nosie when Iam going up hill as this is when the pump is working it hardist?.

Also My mate Richard from work has given me a spare SU Pump just incase mine go`s like your did (Cam).

Best Wishes Paul

Oh P.s Thanks for telling me when you service all your moggys, mines done 6108 miles since it last srevive so I think it due one!!