Morris Minor Owners Club

Due to work commitments my Minor has been garaged and not driven since before christmas. I have however been starting it up regularly - the last time was two weeks ago when everything was fine.

As the weather has been so good today I intended to take her out for a drive. I set off down the road and although the car was running fine the fuel pump didn't stop ticking like it usually does. After a short while there was a really strong smell of petrol. When I opened up the bonnet it was gushing everywhere . The engine, air filter and inside bonnet was covered in it and some of the paint inside the engine bay has started to strip off.

It seems as though the petrol was coming from the braided fuel pipe close to the pump but I could not see a leak and the connections to the pump and carb are both tight. The pump and braided pipe were both replaced around a year ago. Is it possible that the pipe has perished after such a short period of time?

I'm going to have a good look at it next weekend but wondered if anyone here has had a similar problem. Is it likely that I will just need to replace the braided pipe or is there anything else that I should check as a likely cause?

Bearing in mind that the engine bay has been covered in petrol will the car be safe to drive? I wouldn't want it to catch fire! Any advice appreciated.

Lou

I have a braided fuel line and I had to replace the clamp band at the end because the thread failed on the tiny screw causing fuel to leak out.

If the hose is long enough try to cut a few cm of the end and re-connect it see if it stops the leaks. You can test it by simply turning the ignition on and letting the pump run (don't leave it on for hours though because you will burn out your coil)

If this fixes it then you owe me a beer! if not then I cant see a hose costing too much to replace and its better to be safe than sorry.

The car will be fine to drive as long as the leak has been fixed. New petrol leaking will be a huge hazard especialy next to th hot exhuast. You will find that all the fuel as evaporated very quickly and the only evidence left will be a sticky oil that was with the fuel. This can then be wiped away. I had the same problem with a faulty float and the fuel ended up staining the paintwork yellow no matter its having a complete re-spray in 2 months time

Good luck!

The pump and braided pipe were both replaced around a year ago. Is it possible that the pipe has perished after such a short period of time?

All modern fuel contains 5% Ethanol which can attack certain standard rubber hoses. You need to make sure the fuel hose is marked for use with 'E' type fuels.

Another possability is the hose may be too short, and is being strained, or too long, and rubbing on the bonnet stay bracket.

Leaked fuel will evaporate in no time, but it's an expensive way to start a fire .

The braided pipe is very difficult to cut though, and the petrol is unlikely to ignite through contact with the exhaust - needs a spark/flame as an ignition source, I believe. Best bet for your testing method would be, I'd say, be to remove the leads from the coil.
I reckon the answer's a new pipe, TBH, if what Peetee says doesn't cure it
a

Hi - I had this problem last autumn having put a new fuel pump and braided fuel pipe on 6 months earlier. It begain with a petrol smell and ended up with the car stalled due to no fuel. Cause was as already said the rubber tubing at the end that covers the vraiding was not tight enough.

Using standard square ended pliers I was able to hold the square nut tight against the clip to stop it rotating and do the screw up more tightly. It's not done it since, regards, John

It seems as though the petrol was coming from the braided fuel pipe close to the pump but I could not see a leak and the connections to the pump and carb are both tight. The pump and braided pipe were both replaced around a year ago.

Hi Louise I had a similar problem a few years ago admitedly it was with existing old pump and pipe and it was caused by the pump developing a fracture across on a section of the base and I didnt find it until after I had replaced the pipe so just bear this is mind if it turns out to not be the pipe or fittings, did the pipe come with new jubilee clips or did you just reuse the old ones.

I would unscrew the float and check that it hasnt stuck open. A small peice of dirt could cause the petrol to keep pumping as the pump doesnt know to stop, although dirt shouldnt get past the filter in the pump its has happened in my traveller after its been laid up for a while.

DAVIDMCCULLOUGH wrote:I would unscrew the float and check that it hasnt stuck open. A small peice of dirt could cause the petrol to keep pumping as the pump doesnt know to stop,

This would only cause petrol to leak out of the float chamber overflow. The petrol would simply dribble onto the engine bay floor like mine did and leave a yellow stain.

I think LouiseM problems are closer to the pump and if it is 'squirting' everywhere then it must be at a point where the petrol is under pressure e.g. this has to be between the petrol pump outlet and the valve of the float chamber.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I've ordered a new braided pipe as it seems to be the most likely cause of the leak. Hopefully this will sort out the problem and last a bit longer than the old pipe!

I shall venture forth with pliers at the weekend and let you know how I get on

I shall venture forth with pliers at the weekend

A screwdiver will be more useful, but I am sure thats what you meant Louise

southerly95 wrote:Using standard square ended pliers...

a

Well I've got both. I'll probably end up using a hammer as well and swearing a lot. That usually happens when I attempt my own maintenance

All sorted! A new pipe solved the problem and I only ended up with one cut finger

Thanks for the help everyone.

Congratulations
a

Petrol gushing everywhere !

with one cut finger

Blood gushing everwhere?
Well done Louise

I'll probably end up using a hammer as well and swearing a lot.

That doesn't match your demure nature Louise.
And glad you sorted it without too much drama, bandages and sling excepted

I would have just bought a length of 8mm fuel hose from the local spares shop for a few quid.
I'm always paranoid about braided stuff as you can't see what condition the rubber is in underneath.

That doesn't match your demure nature Louise.

Well looks can be deceptive Kevin. It's surprising how even the simplest of jobs on my Minor can make me quite bad tempered. Usually due to rusty nuts that I can never undo and the resultant cuts, scrapes and the hitting of head on the bonnet scenario. Still it's all part of the fun

Ruby's off for her MOT on saturday so fingers crossed or there might be some more swearing!

or there might be some more swearing!

Surely not.