Fuel pump

Post by **katiekat** » Tue May 05, 2009 5:46 pm

Hello everyone!

I got a new minor the other day but there is a fault with the fuel pump. It sometimes just stops and I have to tap it to get it working again.

Do you think it is a fault with the points and is it possible to change them? Or is it better to replace the whole pump?

Are there different types of fuel pump? I have seen one on ebay and it says it's a SU type so would this fit a 1969 1098 Minor?

Thanks for any help! I love this forum!

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue May 05, 2009 6:09 pm

Try cleaning the points with a piece of emery first, if that doesn't work then replace the points. After that replace the pump, going from the cheapest to most expensive options.
There are various types of SU pumps, some like the proper Mini had the pump in the boot and were designed to blow. Others like the Minor are suckers. If you have to replace it then get a genuine SU pump from a Minor parts supplier.

Post by **katiekat** » Tue May 05, 2009 6:57 pm

Thanks Mike. Is it difficult to replace the points?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:28 pm

All detailed in the Manual! It's straightforward rather than 'easy'. But just clean the existing ones first.

Post by **katiekat** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:41 pm

Thanks bmc! Will do!

Post by **katiekat** » Fri May 08, 2009 11:13 am

I cleaned the points and that made it a lot worse so I've ordered some new ones.

Post by **moggie-tom** » Fri May 08, 2009 1:05 pm

Don't know if this is right... Make sure the points are lined up, when I cleaned mine they were quite moveable so check they are still touching. Also I just ran a strip of paper between the points to clean them.

Post by **katiekat** » Fri May 08, 2009 1:23 pm

Thanks, I think I'll try that to see if it helps.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 08, 2009 3:00 pm

Use emery board to clean them and make sure all the debris is removed. But may be necessary to reset the points - read all about it in the Manual.

Post by **katiekat** » Fri May 08, 2009 3:52 pm

I gave the points a clean but that didn't make a difference. So I had a thought! Maybe they need a bit of an oiling? I put some WD40 on the moving bits and that really did seem to help. I then went for a test drive round the block and had no problems!

I'll have to go on a proper test drive but I'm hoping it's sorted. Yesterday I got stuck in the middle of a busy roundabout and had lots of cars driving round me! How embarrasing!

Post by **ASL642** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:14 pm

Silly I know, but I always carry an emery board in my handbag.(Guys put it in your wallet) There has been a time when we had to use it. Dark night car stops. Where do you get emery paper from down a country lane

Post by **MarkyB** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:50 pm

If WD40 worked then I'd put a drop of light oil on the moving bits as the lubricating properties of WD40 wear off quite quickly.

Post by **katiekat** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:23 pm

Thanks, yes I'll put some oil on those moving bits tomorrow. Would 3 in 1 oil be alright? I suppose engine oil would be too thick?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:30 pm

Well done - good tip. Be sure to keep the WD40 in the car - along with that emery board. Yes 3 in 1 - not engine oil. Be sure to fit the cover to the pump at all times - or the pin through the points pivot can fall out - never to be seen again!

Post by **kennatt** » Sat May 09, 2009 7:57 am

What

,katie you've now got two moggies,our fingertips will be worn out,

.starting a collection are you

Post by **britab1967** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:02 pm

Ok, so our pump gave us a lot of problems on the way back from the web rally today.
Cleaning the points with some paper made no difference. We took the filter out and it was full of rust so it looks like a new tank is in order. In the process, this drained the fuel out of the pump, so when we turned on the ignition again it worked intermitently until it pulled through the fuel then it gave up.
We couldn't get it going again so cme back on a lorry.
On getting back, we tried the pump of Molly which ticked away happily but wasn't pulling any fuel, the one way valve wasn't sealing. So we fitted the diaphram off Molly's pump to the front end of Sky's and it seemed to work ok.

My questions, after all of this rambling, are;
Is it possible to get a seal on the one pump, how is the seal achieved?

Watching the fuel pump into the inline filter, is it supposed to be a constant flow? or fairly intermittent. Even with the pump which seemed to work well, it isn't pushing through enough fuel to cover the bottom of the in line filter?

The one which packed up looked like a fairly new pump.

Thanks for suggestions.

Brian

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:18 pm

Maybe the inline filter is blocked - you really don't need such a thing - the SU carb is quite tolerant of bits and bobs in the fuel!

Post by **britab1967** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:01 am

No, it's a brand new filter, and it gives a simple visual check that fuel is getting through.
We changed it after Sky stopped on the way down as the original was getting clogged with fine rust.

I cleaned up the velve components on the original pump, but it doesn't seem to seal, I guess it just relies on surface contact between the brass washer and mating face, the spring clip just holds it in the right area as there is no contact pressure offered by the spring.

Should the pump opperate as quickly with fuel in the system as without (ie when it is priming itself). With the engine off it stops ticking when fuel reaches the filter, but pumps a tiny amount through about once a second when it is running.

Brian

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue May 12, 2009 10:18 am

Sounds right - there is a filter in the pump -I assume you have cleaned it ?

Post by **moggie-tom** » Tue May 12, 2009 10:48 am

britab1967 wrote:No, it's a brand new filter, and it gives a simple visual check that fuel is getting through.

Should the pump opperate as quickly with fuel in the system as without (ie when it is priming itself). With the engine off it stops ticking when fuel reaches the filter, but pumps a tiny amount through about once a second when it is running.

Brian

Probably not much help but I've got an inline filter in mine. Sometimes before I turn the key the filter will be empty and then it will rapidly fill up. You will then be able to see the filter slowly filling with regular ticks, so sounds right to me.