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MG MGA - Aftermarket fuel pump problem

Hi folks. Back in 1985, I replaced the troublesome electric SU fuel pump with an aftermarket "Facet" brand electronic pump. Basically, I cut the inlet and outlet metal fuel lines, and connected the new pump to them, using short pieces of gas line. This arrangement has worked flawlessly for 20 years, without any problems or maintenence. Yesterday, I smelled gas, and saw gas dripping from a rubber fuel line going into the pump. I removed the old rubber hose (which had a tiny hole in it) and replaced the hose with a new piece of rubber hose. The rubber hose (as before) is held in place at each end with small worm gear hose clamps. When I started my MG after replacing the hose, the fuel pump sort of ticks loudly, but is not pumping any fuel to the carbs. It seems that the pump is running, but not pumping any gas. I have checked the hose clamps and do not think that I have an air leak. The new rubber hose is NOT kinked. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Thanks! GLenn
Glenn

Glen - The pump, being 20 years old may well have worn check valves in it. They will work well enough when there is fuel in the pump, but once they don't have fuel surrounding them, they won't seal sufficiently to pull fuel up out of the tank. You can try pressurizing the tank while the pump is running and see if that will get things jump started (I had to do this once many years ago on a MGB we had). You should be able to get sufficient pressure by just blowing into the tank, but the problem is getting a seal around the filler tube. I would also suggest that if this is the problem, you might want to consider replacing the pump as it sounds like it has reached the end of it's reliable life (Facet still makes a pump like what you are using, it just looks slightly different. They are available from NAPA. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

Hi David. Thanks for the info and tip. I will try your suggestion, and start looking for a new aftermarket fuel pump. Since you are a fuel pump expert, can you recommend any specific brands/ models of electronic fuel pumps that are inexpensive, reliable, and durable? Is there such a beast? Cheers! GLenn
Glenn

Here's one which is much quieter, very reliable, widely available, and generally less expensive than the Facet pump.
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/fuel/fp201.htm
It mounts with a single bolt and large "P" clip (supplied with the pump).
Barney Gaylord

Canada's finest poet has a dodgy old pump
Considered opinion it is but a lump
Get a new one Glen was the best advice
A new model Facet would be most wise

But Glen has a mate with a mechanical bent
He'll fabricate a pump from parts most spent
So soon we will see another task well done
A Heidrich nodding donkey fuel pump mark one

Steve
Steve Gyles

Glen - Either the Facet pump or the Carter pump that Barney recommends, will work as well as anything on the market and both are reasonably priced at NAPA. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

Glen, You have had a good run out of your Facet but all I think it needs is priming. Try to get some fuel into the inlet pipe or at least into the inlet side of the pump. I use a pump called Fuelflo (made in New Zealand?), they are excellent and trouble free and certainly much quieter than a Facet.
Barry Bahnisch

UPDATE: Hi folks. I took Dave's advice, and pressurized the gas tank by blowing into it through a rubber tube in the gas filler. I Wrapped rags around the tube to get a seal. When I pressurized the tank, I immediately noticed that fuel was leaking out of the metal gas line, where it attaches to the frame above the rear wheel! When I moved the gas line away from the frame, I found the line was badly rusted, and had an almost invisible hairline crack in the gas line tubing. So the fuel pump was simply sucking air instead of gas! I cut out the bad section of metal tubing, and spliced it(temporarily) with a chunk of rubber gas line, and two hose clamps. Guess what? The fuel pump now pumps gas just fine! The 20 year old Facet fuel pump is working like new! I intend to replace the rusty steel line with a custom fabricated unit made of copper tubing. That WON'T rust! Cheers! Glenn
Glenn

Good find Glen! A friend had the fitting at the top of the tank develop a crack around it. This didn't affect the pump but caused a pretty good leak when the tank was full. Keep track of that Facet fuel pump, you may be working on a record with that one. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed between 02/09/2005 and 06/09/2005

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