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 MGA - Fuel pump

Just wondered what maintenance,if any, should be carried out on SU fuel pumps. The pump on mine looks like it's been there since 1961! Though given where it's situated it's not surprising. What is the view for replacement, solid state or points?
John Stephens

I replaced the pump on my B with one with points. I have enough trouble with electronics on modern cars.

If a ‘points’ pump stops working, it can often be coaxed back in to life with a sharp tap, for at least long enough to get you home.

If an electronic pump stops, it’s normally recovery.
Dave O'Neill 2

If it's working and not doing anything strange then I'd leave it alone. The more you drive the car, the happier the pump will be. Sitting for long periods sometimes causes issues with points corroding or the diaphragm drying out.
Steve Simmons

John
Something that gets overlooked more often than not is that there is a filter/screen in the pickup side of the pump--Usually they aren't an issue but if there been water or rubbish in the tank ,that's where it ends up-
There's a bung right on the bottom of the pump, if you screw that out the filter comes with it and all the rubbish as well, just clean it all up and screw it back in'
You'll probably need a cork or something to block the hole while cleaning the filter as the fuel syphons from the tank sometimes with the bung out
Here's a pic of it---

http://www.gowerlee.dircon.co.uk/Pumps.html
William Revit

Good idea about the filter William,
you made me realise that I haven't checked my in-line fuel filter for quite a while now and I was looking for something to do to the car.

I used to have problems with it becoming blocked with little bits of silicone sealant that the DPO had used around the filler pipe and which had gotten into the tank.
Fortunately, the problem went away after I fitted a new fuel tank a few years ago.

Colyn

Colyn Firth

I would agree with Steve - if it is working leave well enough alone. My car has a Harting pump that was on the car when I bought it 20+ years ago. Being a bit apprehensive of a unknown age fuel pump, I purchased a rebuilt SU from David DuBois shortly after I bought the car and put it in the trunk as a spare. The Harting is still working fine and rebuilt is still a spare in the trunk.
Bill Haglan

Bill

You might want to check the points on your spare pump, as they may have furred up during that time.
Dave O'Neill 2

This thread was discussed between 22/04/2020 and 24/04/2020

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.