no ticking from the Fuel pump

[guymcc]

Hi there,

Not been on here very much so...

I'll introduce myself and 'Jemima'! soon.

Cutting to the chase though. Got mer out of the garage after the winter and she won't start... nothing too unusual in that. I suspect the fuel pump has given up the ghost.
Turns over fine, but no ticking heard from the pump, so i've checked and there is power getting to it, undid the fuel line and nothing getting pumped out.

Is my pump knackered or could there be something else up? There is fuel in the car! and is there anything I can do to the pump or should I just buy a new one?

Sorry for all the qestions..
Looking forward to getting Jemima going again

Thanks

[imacleod]

hi
i would check the contact points on the end of the pump first some times thy will start pumping when you give them a tap or two but i would recommend s new pump

[bmcecosse]

For the first time in ~ 10 years, I had this yesterday when I tried to get my car out of the garage. Mine actually started to work after giving it a thump - but I have since cleaned the points and it seems fine. If it worries you, a new set of points is not expensive.

[MarkyB]

Start off with the beating, it's just asleep.
With the ignition on give the metal bit a hefty tap with your largest spanner.

[guymcc]

thanks for the swift replies!!
Will get a hammer out tomorrow! is there anything wrong/dangerous/ any point in taking it apart to see whats going on internally?

[mike.perry]

Just keep the hammer by the side of your seat, and when you get stopped you can try explaining to the police why you have a hammer by your seat

[bmcecosse]

To clean the points - you need to take the cap off..... Tapping with the hammer is fine as a get-home measure, but for reliability you really must clean the points - or fit a new set.

[xpress]

You want to file off any pitting or nipples
Also, I did this with pump in situ and It's been fine since but you just reminded me to change the points. I want to fit a relay too, to dampen down the spark, any one done this?

[bmcecosse]

Can't wait to see the relay installation!

[Neil MG]

Can't wait to see the relay installation!

[xpress]

Apologies ladies, I meant a diode or capacitor . What's the easiest to fit?

http://www.team.net/sol/tech/supump.html

[Stig]

Apologies ladies, I meant a diode or capacitor . What's the easiest to fit?

Simple answer is a capacitor as it'll work either way round, you'll have to fit the diode the correct way round or it'll get destroyed.

A quick googling tells me that a zener diode is what you'd need in series with a normal rectifier diode - and both need to fitted the right way round. Apparently a rectifier diode on its own can cause more erosion of the contact points.

[guymcc]

Update... went out armed with a hammer earlier and got the fuel pump all back on and turned the ignition on, went under the bonnet and started hitting the pump!! low and behold she woke up from her winter slumber and is now working again!!

Happy days

Now to get the brake drums off and new ones put on and bled, amongst other things to get it fit for an MOT

thanks to those with the handy tips

[Dean]

You want to file off any nipples

Ooooooo... brought tears to my eyes!

[bmcecosse]

Don't rely on that pump keeping going - you really MUST clean or renew the contacts........