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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Water pump

Started the midget late this afternoon after a two week lay up.
It warmed up too quickly and there was a faintly reminiscent tinkling sound coming from the front of the engine.
Reminiscent from about 30 years ago when I remember replacing the original water pump and the sound was weirdly familiar.
Wasn't able to check whether there was water leaking as it was getting dark in the garage and there's no power on there.
However the reason for the post - sorry it's taken so long to get here - is to ask if anyone has any experience of this make (it seems very cheap)?
http://tinyurl.com/y9vu6ecy




Jeremy MkIII

Apart from the fact that they seem to have photographed it upside down, yes, it does seem cheap.
I have not heard of this make, but I am on my third water pump from Moss in ten years and 26,000 miles, and they do look similar to that one, with the pressed steel impellor.

I replaced the 40 year old cast iron pump with an alluminium one when I rebuilt the engine,just because it was 40 years old. Big mistake. The first replacement lasted about 5,000 miles before it got noisy, second one started leaking after another 10,000 miles and now the current one has been on for about 11,000 miles, so it's probably ready for failing, unless I've got the good one that the Chinese factory made😉.

But the question is, where do you go? You could try a different retailer, pay a lot more, thinking you were getting a quality product and end up with the same rubbish.

Sorry, this doesn't solve your problem, but I suppose you could buy two and keep one in the boot for when the first one packs up, as it is a job you can do at the roadside if you really need to.
b higginson

No experience of this make. My only observation is that it has pressed blades rather than cast ones. The cast ones are apparently superior and ensure more efficient cooling.I used the cast sort when I renewed mine and the cooling is ok. (gets a bit hot in traffic)
Bob Beaumont

The impeller also doesn't appear to be very deep.

As it's been photographed upside down, you can't see if the bypass take-off is open. Metro pumps had it blanked off.
Dave O'Neill 2

It looks like the one everyone sells. I've broken the alternator lug off a couple in quick sucession after having no problems with previous pumps. I solved this, so far, by making a different alternator bracket for my non-standard alternator.
Daniel

For an extra couple of quid I'd check with MGOC Spares that their's are still as good as when I bought and fitted mine 8 years ago. I had no problems with fitting or later service/repairs works around it. Good opportunity to thoroughly clean the cooling/heating system (if not the right time of year).
Nigel Atkins

Minispares do a pump with a cast impeller

http://minispares.com/product/Classic/Cooling_heating/Water/Pumps/GWP134.aspx

or a 'super' pump with a 3 year guarantee

http://minispares.com/product/classic/GWP134EVO.aspx
Dave O'Neill 2

After replacing the pump with shallow pressed steel impeller by a deeper cast one all the overheating (summer in Paris, vapor lock on the perferique, heater on...) was over.


Flip Brühl

Thanks for all the helpful replies.
Dave I'm tempted by the 'super' pump as I run without a plastic fan blade, relying on an electric fan instead.
For just shy of £19 with a 3 year guarantee, it's a bargain. Thanks for the link.
Jeremy MkIII

I ge from oriellys auto parts store when I rebuilt the engine it was no where close to that price... so I'd look for a different brand and pay a little more

And I've not heard of that brand ither

Prop
1 Paper

One thing to watch with the deeper impellor, is that it doesn't foul number one cylinder. I think you are OK on the 1275, but on my 1098 I found that the deep one would not fit.
b higginson

Thanks Bernie, it's a 1275 so hopefully it'll fit.
I've a copy of Nigel's detailed instructions for the cooling system flush so will do both once the weather gets a bit warmer :)
Jeremy MkIII

Jeremy,
I've updated them to included easy filling, draining and disposal suggestions and removed some errors (and no doubt added a few new errors) if you want email me and I'll send the updated.
Nigel Atkins

Cheers Prop, going for the one Dave suggested which is about 50% more expensive but with deeper impeller and a 3 year warranty so we'll see.
Sorry Flip, somehow missed your post with the intriguing photo of the 3 types of pump.
Nigel,
email on its way, thank you.
Jeremy MkIII

Jeremy,
email and attachments sent.

What a lovely job for this time of year.
Nigel Atkins

It is Nigel - it's relatively mild at the moment so after all the shenanigans of the festive season are over, I may have a go.
Jeremy MkIII

I notice that "super" pump, GWP134EVO, has a plastic impeller. They say its good enough for Aston and Jag, but does anyone have experience with it?
Jack Orkin

I believe that a lot of modern cars use plastic impellers.

The pump that I replaced on my Passat had a plastic impeller. Not that it failed, but I was replacing the timing belt, so it makes sense to do it at the same time.
Dave O'Neill 2

IIRC the deeper impeller was fitted to the transverse BMC 1300 engines. I recall approx late '70s swapping a shallow impeller pump in a probably previously unmolested 1275 for the deeper one in a car which was used for autotests on hot summer days and coling was an issue. Made a useful difference.


Paul Walbran

This thread was discussed between 28/12/2017 and 05/01/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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