MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Fuel pick up

Chaps

Finally decided to do something about my corroded fuel pick up in the fuel tank itself. A few qs....

Can the pick up pipe exiting the tank be easily disconnected from the supply line to the pump - union somewhere perhaps?

Do I have to drop the tank particularly? Thinking I may get at things by jacking up the rear and removing the wheel.

If I can remove the fuel pick up pipe via its own exit point from the tank, I guess I will lose the filter on the tank end of it. This may well protect the pump so may need inline filter before the pump suction.

If fitting new pick up pipe, how do I ensure it remains vertical. I think there is a clip inside, which may mean I would have to drop the tank and remove filler neck to ensure it clips in place.

Appreciate a new tank would solve matters, but does seem excessibe for want of a small pipe.
Mark O

On my 1500 there is a union as the pickup exits the tank.
That was the good news I ended up taking it to a classic restorer to free it up to replace the pipe to the pump.
Can you buy the pick up? I seem to remember I couldn't find one so the old one had to be used with some fettling.
Dave Squire

Mark... im not sure why your wanting to replace the fuel line

My line had been cut off short by the former owner I just use fuel hose and a couple of hose clamps

If the filter inside the tank is clogged ... its easy to fix use an air compressor with about 40 psi ... disconnect the line from the tank to the pump and just shoot the air thur the line it will blow any gunk off the little filter inside the tank,reconnect the hose and your good to go

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

From previous experience the external fuel pipe is connected to the tank boss with a nut that can be loosened to remove it, that same nut pushes the external pipe against the internal pipe to seal it against the tank boss inner seat. The internal tube is loose inside the tank boss when the external pipe is removed but I don't know if it can be easily removed through that boss. The tanks are not difficult to remove so would recommend dropping the entire tank to get the best access but be careful as I have been told that modern fuel is more volatile than older leaded fuel so sparks of any sort best avoided, maybe ground all components during removal. Removing the fuel level sender may give you the best access to any clips and components inside the tank.
David Billington

Davids

Understood and thanks. I think I will drop the tank - just for ease of working and I am sure I can find a suitable length of stainless tubing to replace the pick up pipe. Yes, go into tank through sender orifice - forgot about that......

Mark
Mark O

About 10 years ago My Frogeye would not pick up the last gallon in the tank. I eventually surmised that the pipe inside was cracked. My medical student son suggested I should catheterise it. I inserted down the pipe a piece of Bowden cable outer, ensuring that it was clamped by the connector nut. No further problems, and it's still there.
L B Rose

On the 1275/1500 the external pipe that exits the tank is sealed by a crushable brass olive. When you fit a new pipe the olive is crushed down as you tighten the pipe union, against the tank. For this reason they are very difficult to remove once fitted, and the olive crushed down.
The other difficulty I had when fitting a new tank, was that the pipe union bottomed on the tank, before crushing the olive, I had to file down the face of the union, to get it to crush the olive.

Dave
Dave Barrow

I have cut apart an old fuel tank from a Mk 1 midget. The internal filter is not replaceable. It may be different with the newer tanks. You would need a very small hand to get to it through the sender hole. I have purchased new replacement tanks rather then take a chance on 50 year old ones. They are made in Canada and sold on ebay.
J Bubela

This thread was discussed between 14/11/2015 and 18/11/2015

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.