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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Petrol leak

I went to take the midget out for a run earlier today, and I when I clicked the ignition key one notch to get the fuel up to pressure it didn't stop clicking, and there was a fizzing sound from the back.

I had a look, and it was leaking petrol.

Since it is downstream of the pump, any suggestions what I should do first, or is this a "better let a professional deal with this" kind of thing.

Nigel
N K Baker

Nigel,
If you can identify precisely where the leak is occuring, we'll be better equipped to help you - a photo is even better.
This is all fairly straightforward "plumbing" stuff - possibly where a hose from the pump meets the main pipe run under the car.
Identify exactly where the leak is occuring and you're halfway to sorting it.
Steve Clark

Steve,

Thanks for that. I kind of realised as I posted it that the first question would be exactly where.

I didn't have any ramps or lights to have a good look at the garage, so I need to go back and do that.

Looking at the back of the car, I can see the fuel line coming down to go under the car, and the petrol was running down that and dripping off at the bend.

I guess my real question was should I be looking at it myself, or paying someone to do it. The most advanced thing I've ever done on a car is to change the hubs and halfshafts on my midget.

Nigel
N K Baker

If thats ALL you have done yourself on the midget, well Gee, I dont know if your qualifed to do this kind of repair,,,,have you ever changed a light bulb in your home?

HAhahaha, Sorry....thats a good one, you had me!

Just incase, you werent joking, its most likely an easy fix, it will most likely be a loose hose clamp, or a split/damaged steel line

if its a hose clamp replace or retighten....if its split or damaged....use a pipe cutter (gen, hardware store.) and cut out the bad sect. get some rubber fuel line and 2 hose clamps and install...fuel line and clamps can be purchased at gen. auto supply store.


then agian, you can pay a local shop $20 and 10 minutes to do this for you and avoid the minor hassle and getting dirty, it really depends on what mood your in.

Prop
Prop

Nigel, usually the petrol lines going into and out of the pump are short pieces of neoprene hose. It's not unusual for these to get brittle over the years and crack from vibration, Most likely that's what has happened to your car. You need to get the car up on some sort of ramp or stand and take a good look at the hoses. Replacement is pretty easy except that the one from the tank to the pump will dump petrol once it's disconnected from the pump, so be ready with a plug for the line when it's disconnected from the pump. Connect the new hose to the pump and then to the tank. If you're quick you won't spill too much petrol changing the line. The output side of the pump shouldn't be a problem changing if the valves in the pump are good. From the sound of your problem it's the output hose that's gone bad, but the input side is probably not far behind so check it carefully and if you see any signs of cracking change it now.
Bill Young

Thanks guys.

I'll have a better look at see if I can sort it out.

Cheers,

Nigel
N K Baker

Nigel,

Have at look at the photo I've just taken of mine

A= hard line from tank
B= Flex hose to pump
C= (inline filter - yours may not have one)
D= Pump - body/head join with gasket
E= Flex hose to hard line
F= hard line to front of car

So, following on from Bill's advice, have a good close look at the flexi hoses B and E. It's also possible that the leak is coming from either end of the flexi hoses where they you can see they are clamped to the hard lines.
Another possibility, though less likely, is that the pump itself is leaking - from the gasket at D.

The flexi hose is available from Halfords or all Motor factors - make sure it's for petrol - and use new clamps. If you end up replacing it, might as well put in an inline filter (C - before the pump) as well.
Let us know what you find.


Steve Clark

nice job steve

prop
Prop

Nice one Steve,
brings back memories of how my Sprite used to look,
cheers
Brad
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

On 2 occassions that I have seen petrol leaks in that area over the years it has been from a cracked pump fitting.
Unfortunately Steve has not marked these on his photo but at the bottom of the SU pump are 2 plastic "banjos". These are held in place onto the pump by a steel ring attached by screws to the pump. A leak from these can only be seen when the pump is pumping.
All that said the suggestions above are just as likely. From your point of view if you can cope with Spridget hubs and half shafts then this job should be a doddle
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

Good call Bob. These are the black plastic inlet and outlet "tails" on the pump to which the 2 flexible hoses are fixed
Steve Clark

Awesome, thanks Steve.

I'll have a look when I can and let you know, if you're interested.

Thanks,

Nigel
N K Baker

In an emergency, Blue-Tack (the stuff that holds up posters on your wall at home) can be mushed up with a little petrol to eat away the chemicals that keep blue-tack soft and then it will set fairly hard as a temporary repair. I've used it on a tank where the neck of the pipe broke inside the brass union that fitted into the tank itself. Not so good on the 'pressure' side of the tank but fine on the inlet side for a short journey.

Emergency only, chaps!
rob multi-sheds thomas

Thanks again for all your suggestions.

I ordered up the two flexible hoses and new clips as they were cheap enough and I knew they'd arrive before I could go back and see the car.

After a bit of "fun" getting the car up onto the ramps, I replaced the hose downstream of the pump, and that cured the problem. Perfectly simple (apart from the hose being twice as long as the one I was replacing). Don't know what I was worried about.

Nigel
N K Baker

This thread was discussed between 04/05/2009 and 12/05/2009

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