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MG MGA - fuel pump start failure

Hi everyone,

In Holland spring is comming up, so today I tried to start my beautiful car after 5 months, but it failed.

Symptoms: A rather noisy fuel pump. The clicking was rather loud and continous (no frequency variations). Before dismantling a lot of stuff I would like to ask you what are the most common causes?

Thanks Sander

S bird

Out of gas? No fuel flow, not self priming, possible clog in the inlet line.

Get a can of gas and a hose. Disconnect inlet line from pump, connect hose to pump, drop hose in can of fuel, then see if it works. If it works, look for a clog in the tank pickup or the pipe between tank and pump.

Of the ump doesn't work, check for clog in the pump inlet screen. Baring that, disconnect both lines from pump, plug one port and draw a vacuum on the other port. If it doesn't hold a vacuum the diaphragm is split and needs to be replaced.
Barney Gaylord

I must ask the obvious. Since you have not started the car for awhile, are you sure the fuel is not overflowing at the carb due to a stuck needle valve; which will make pump continue to click and pump?
E.W. Haynes

Sander - What kind of a pump is in your car? If it is an original SU pump, then both Barney's suggestion of a hose in a can of fuel to see if the pump is pulling fuel in properly of if there is an air leak between the tank and the pump (a clog in either the inlet or outlet lines will cause the pump to stall rather than to chatter away nonstop). If you have an after market pump, such as the little, square, run all the time, make a lot of noise, Facet pumps, they will continue to run regardless of air leaks or clogs. E.W.s suggestion of a needle valve in one or both of the float bowls is also a real possibility if the car has not been run for a long period of time and the fuel has all evaporated out of the bowls. For both a fuel delivery troubleshooting guide and a fix for jammed needle valves when the fuel has evaporated out of the float bowls, see my web site at: http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/ The fuel delivery troubleshooting guide is in the SU Fuel Pump Articles section and the Float Lever Drop article is in the Other Tech Articles section. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I have the opposit problem. I tried to start mine but no fuel pump clicking. My batteries wre low so I charged them up overnite but it still would not start or did I here any fuel pump clicking noise. My cover is off should I tap the pump? Tom
Tom Peotter

If you have the original type fuel pump, they ofte need a tap on pump housing to free stuck points. Worth a try. If doesn't work, try checking the grouding connection.
E.W. Haynes

Tom. Maybe a bad cell in one of the batteries? When charging did the battery get hot? Was there a rotten egg smell? Both are signs of a dead battery.
It could also just be the connector. Take it off, clean it up and put back on with a drop of white grease to slow down the oxidisation on the contact.
Neil
Neil Purves

Thanks for your suggestions.
The fuel pump is the original SU pump, I will check the piping or clogs as recommended. I recharged my battery. It's not overflowing at the carb by the way. I will check next weekend.

Thanks ...To be continued

sander
S bird

David,

Thanks for your url to your webpage. I learned a lot. I hope it will help me solve the problem with my pump

Sander
S bird

Sander - If you don't get is solved with the troubleshooting guide, e-mail me at SUfuelpumps@donobi.net and I'll see if I can help you out. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed between 01/03/2009 and 03/03/2009

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