Morris Minor Owners Club

We’ve had a noisy fuel pump for sometime but never had a problem with it. Until this weekend when it stopped working whilst on the road, giving it a sharp tap with my knuckles would get it going and the engine would idle fine but as soon as we started driving it would pack up again after a few hundred metres. Our weekend visitors found it highly amusing but my knuckles were raw by the time we got home (2 miles).

When I got home my immediate course of action was to whip the plastic cap off the pump and clean the contacts. Well, I couldn’t clean the contacts because it’s a blimin electronic pump. Stumped I put it back together and sat in the garden with a glass of wine.

What should I do next? Can I repair the pump, new electronics/diaphragm or should I just order a new one? If I get a new one should I go for electric or electronic?

Normally these are very reliable - should use a hammer not knuckles! Check the wiring connections and make sure there is a good earth. Could be the diaphragm is a bit tight - but for reliabilty I would be getting another pump!

We were only going to the pub for lunch, knuckles was all I had, toolbox was at home.

I'll give it a decent tap with a hammer tonight and get a replacement on order.

You could have used the wheelbrace!! It may just be the connections - worth checking - otherwise - go back to the suppliers of the pump and ask them about it because these are sold on the basis of being VERY reliable.

My petrol pump showed the same fault when I was on my way home from the Home Counties rally. In my case it was the knurled nut that had come loose. The first few times I tapped it it worked for a while only when it stopped altogether did I notice the nut was loose.

I had the pump off last night, it is a Hardi 13312, after it ceased to show any signs of life even when tapped with a hammer. I can only suspect that it is a dry joint or similar on the pcb as everything else looks like it is fine and it was certainly getting power.

Any advice on what to order as a replacement? Speedy delivery is of the essence as our only other vehicle (250JU) dumped all its clutch fluid on the drive on Sunday morning so we're somewhat trapped in the wilds of W Yorkshire.

Try phoning one of the major suppliers and asking what's in stock and will they send it by courier/parcelforce 24 hours?

You'll need to know if it's +ve or -ve earth in case this makes a difference with the electronic ones.

I guess you'll be paying normal retail, but....

HTH

Colin

I would just get a standard non-electronic one - Bull Motif. Or does no-one nearby have a spare they could lend you meantime ?

It's funny the thing you forget you have. Whilst rummaging in the shed for some tools yesterday I came across an electric pump I'd forgetten about, it came with the car and I don't know if it works but I'll give it a go tonight.

Other forgotten items included three coils and an engine!

I had the pump off last night, it is a Hardi 13312,

These type of pump (Hardi) are absolute rubbish. I wish I knew who was selling them "for Minors" as they'd get a stiff letter. I've never heard of one of these lasting 10 years - they tend to fail MUCH earlier than that despite the BS marketing claims about reliability.

My advice: Chuck it in the bin or sell it to bmcecosse - then go on ebay and try and find a working original SU fuel pump. Get the pump (usually £15 to £20) and then fit some new points in (£10) and most likely you won't have to touch it for 10 to 15 years. In 10 or 15 years time replace the points again for £10.
If your coils are working, sell 2 of the 3 spares on ebay to cover some of your costs ;-)

It appears that the Hardi I have is not even a Minor one. I'm hoping the old one will do the trick.

Could I stick the coils (they are new) in the Trabi?

Ray - why would I want this pump?? just curious!

Other forgotten items included three coils and an engine!

losing socks is one thing - but forgetting you had an engine

I've done the same thing before now

I forgot I had a spare gearbox in the garden shed. Its a smooth case one, would that make it a 948 or 803Cc gearbox? Any use as a temporary replacement on the back of a 1098?

Ray - why would I want this pump??

because you appear to believe the false marketing about electronic pumps being better.

Normally these are very reliable

Having driven a lot of Minors a lot of miles, I beg to differ. Just my opinion though.