Morris Minor Owners Club

My fuel pump failed totally unexpectedly as I was on my way to work on Sunday morning... although my mum managed to get me a new one whilst I was at work today! Now it's fitted and all's well.

However, when I opened the old one up to examine it, it had a circuit board and no points - presumably this means it's one of the modern-type 'electrical' pumps - I thought these were supposed to be better and more reliable! Considering that according to the service history the pump was fitted in 2004, I don't think it's very impressive.

However, what could have gone wrong inside?

chips can burn out just like a condensor can go without warning and ruin the points.

I thought these were supposed to be better and more reliable!

Yes they are "supposed" to be but in practise they rarely are. Some of the 'electronic' ones on sale have points - it just shows the difference between marketing and reality.

The original SU pumps can last 50+ years and only need the occasional new set of points so I know what I'd choose.

Exactly - old 'points' pump works fine for 30/40/50 years with absolutely no maintenace. Disgusted owner then fits fancy new 'electronic' pump which works for 4 years - then fails, and I doubt it 'recovered' when you banged it with the starting handle either!
There's a lesson there - somewhere!
Well done Mum - just hope it was a nice reliable 'points' pump she found!

The worst ones seem to be the ones with the blue cover from Germany I have known a couple of those to fail while still under warantee and the replacements to not make 2 years so I think yours has did well by comparison.

I mentioned "banging the fuel pump with a starting handle" to one of the younger pilots at work. He looked at me with a slightly confused expression, doubtless he was wondering which question to ask first.

"What's a starting handle" or "Why do you need to bang the pump"?



It's official. I'm an old f4rt at the ripe old age of 40.

Good grief 40's old now, no chance for me then................................

The worst ones seem to be the ones with the blue cover from Germany

Those should not be sold for a Minor as they are not fit for purpose - however they seem to sell lots.

Those should not be sold for a Minor as they are not fit for purpose - however they seem to sell lots

Pray do tell. I just got one of these. What is the issue with them?

I've had one fail, and it was the SU Electronic type
Stick to the points type, at least you can get yourself out of trouble with these

Leo 69 Traveller

Pray do tell. I just got one of these. What is the issue with them?

I've never known one last. Maybe they leave the coil energised or something but when they play up they are known to seriously overheat. I've burnt my hand on one!

If given a choice much I'd buy a second hand 40 year old SU and fit new points to it rather than one of those - it's cheaper that way but the main reason would be to prevent a breakdown.

Peetee wrote:
Pray do tell. I just got one of these. What is the issue with them?

Well a couple of our branch members had them from 2 different local motor factors and were quoted `These are far better and much more reliable` if I remember correctly as it was a few years ago between them they went through 5 in just over a year and as Ray says they seem to like to Cook themselves and all of them were the ones with the blue covers.

Oh no ! The only one I could source on the same day was the same as the old one - and it was one of the German ones with blue covers ... if I'd known to stay clear I would have held back, but I depsperately needed my car back in action.

I am contemplating buying an SU one with points and keeping it as a spare in case this one now goes. When it let me down the other day, it went completely without warning - and no, hitting it with the starting handle did nothing to help (I'd heard of this old wives' tale before).

And just to add insult to injury, they cost just as chuffing much! I've also just revisited my service history to check when the pump was actually fitted and the invoice is dated 11th May 2007!!!

and no, hitting it with the starting handle did nothing to help (I'd heard of this old wives' tale before).

It not an old wives tale at all its the reccommended way of restarting a fuel pump, however it often restarts with a tap of the hand or a small piece of wood often there is no need to go as far as a starting handle.

Kevin wrote:

and no, hitting it with the starting handle did nothing to help (I'd heard of this old wives' tale before).

It not an old wives tale at all its the reccommended way of restarting a fuel pump, however it often restarts with a tap of the hand or a small piece of wood often there is no need to go as far as a starting handle.

Lol, I know it's not an old wives' tale - I was using that term jokingly. The fact that you can get away with mending it by hitting with a block of wood just shows how beautifully simple it is!

and no, hitting it with the starting handle did nothing to help (I'd heard of this old wives' tale before).

I don't think the 'hit it' approach works on the German ones - sometimes they will work again when they've cooled down, but not for long!

Carrying a good-old SU pump as a spare is probably the best thing you can do. Maybe this will convince the blue-capped pump to keep going a bit longer...

Do these 'blue cap one's' have two terminals one the end where there is usually one?

rsawatson wrote:

Kevin wrote:

and no, hitting it with the starting handle did nothing to help (I'd heard of this old wives' tale before).

It not an old wives tale at all its the reccommended way of restarting a fuel pump, however it often restarts with a tap of the hand or a small piece of wood often there is no need to go as far as a starting handle.

Lol, I know it's not an old wives' tale - I was using that term jokingly. The fact that you can get away with mending it by hitting with a block of wood just shows how beautifully simple it is!

I managed it with the back of my hand when mine went wrong on the way home with Betsy Blue!

Good feed back on electronic pump conversion. I had always thought it was a good idea untill now. I have only had one pump failure while coming back on the M25 from a rally fortunately we had no parcel shelf and my wife kicked the underside of the dashboard several times which got us back to Northampton without getting out the car. I fitted new points and it has been ok for the past 8 years just shows the old type is the best.

when i got myrtle the fuel pump wouldnt tick so i gave it a little tap with the hammer and off it went , also had one on my viva gt when i put twin 40,s on did the job purfect good old su pumps