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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - SU Electronic Fuel Pump

After many month lurking and learning lots, thank you everyone, I finally have a query to post .
On my 71 midget, my fuel pump continues clicking about every 1 2 seconds, after the usual initial rapid clicks. There is no sign of a leak so I decided to play safe and fit the new electronic SU AUF 214 pump I have been carrying around in my boot for some time.
If I ever had any instructions they are not around now and Burlen have non on their website so:
- Which way round are the power and earth cables I guess the one nearest the fuel inlet/outlet end is the earth as it is touching the case of the pump but better safe than sorry!
- There are 2 vents which are not on the current pump as far as I can see. I am proposing to connect a tube to each then to a T piece, then run one tube from that tube into the boot. Is this correct or do they have to be two separate pipes into the boot?
Thanks
Mike
M Dixon

Hi Mike, welcome,
whether you need this pump change I'm not sure but like you say play safe and try the other pump as you have it.

You could just trial fit it without vent hosing fitted, but obvious the pump vented, holes clear and protected from muck blocking them, to see if the new pump makes a difference.

You don't need to have a pump with the SU label but having an electronic one is a good idea IMO.

See Paul Hunt's excellent mgb-stuff site for general info -

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/fueltext.htm#pumpmountcb

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/fueltext.htm#pumpvent
Nigel Atkins

Thanks - having had a read of the links I had another look this morning and it only clicks every 8/9 seconds or so once the rapid clicking phase is over. There are no air bubbles in the fuel arriving at the carbs - so no air leaks?

Reading the articles above could it be 'very marginal fuel level or the non-return valve intermittently sticking'? Any idea what it means by marginal fuel level - my tank is fairly low at the moment, I might try a refill and see where I get.

I will give Burlen a call in the morning and see what they say - and get the wiring sorted.

As you say worth having the solid state one fitted anyway and the current one will do as a spare to get me home.

Mike
M Dixon

It's not unusual. I've noticed it on a number of cars.

Probably just the non-return valve leaking slightly.
Dave O'Neill 2

The original SU pumps all tick, it's part of the car's character.
The rapid clicking is the pump priming the carbs as the fuel has evaporated in the float chambers.
8/9 seconds sounds fine - if it was ticking continuously then you're either out of fuel or there's a leak somewhere, maybe the needles in the float chambers are stuck or a loose pipe but from what you describe it sounds pretty normal.

Suggest you don't bin the original pump as it can be reconditioned ready for use again when the solid state replacement gives up the ghost.

Jeremy MkIII

The original pump would be seized up with lack of use by the time the solid state needed replacing. :)

Mike,
fit and forget the solid state, don't bother carrying a spare fuel pump unless you're also going to carry a spare starter, battery, dynamo, gallon of oil, gallon of water, engine, gearbox, back axle, . . .

Get your Midget fully serviced, maintained and repaired and driven regularly on reasonable length journeys and you'll know everything is working and you don't need to tow a trailer of spares just in case once every 10/20 years something breaks, fails or wears out. Where you can replace the items before then.

Can you really rely on that spare fuel pump, would be best to carry a back-up to the spare pump just in case ... ?

Carry whatever keeps you happy but remember prevention is better than cure.

Nigel Atkins

Nigel I agree- it was only in there for when we were touring in France and shall now be fitted - the best way as you say is prevention and regular use. The only item I will now carry is a spare distributor, tucked inside the spare wheel. My CSI is excellent, but should it fail it is a lot easier than refitting the points - not even certain if I can!

Just spoken to Burlen; for future reference, for my negative earth pump, the earth is at the end closest to the inlet /outlet, power is the screw/spade terminal on the end

They also recommend a separate pipe for each vent.

I will have a look at the original pump and keep it in the garage - hopefully not seized!
M Dixon

Mike,
it'd be interesting to know how long you've had the CSI fitted and how you find it overall with use (I note you put excellent so far).

I've had a 123ignition fitted for 9 years no issues and Hardi equivalent electronic fuel pump nearly 11 years again no issues (and no carrying of spares).

In those links I put for Paul's excellent site it also has the information Burlen gave you but it's always best to cross reference any information you get with another one or two reliable sources.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 11/08/2018 and 13/08/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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