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MG MGA - Plugged Fuel Tank

I have a 1960 MGA that hasn't run in several years. I have trouble getting fuel to the carbs. The fuel pump is not getting any fuel from the gas tank. The gas tank was basically empty and I put in 5 gallons of new fresh gas.

The fuel pump works -- I disconnected the inlet hose from the fuel pump and put it in a small jar of gas and disconnected the fuel line going to the carb. Turned on the ignition. The pump started pumping fuel from the small jar into another jar I had the carb hose in. So the fuel pump works.

I next disconnected the fuel line from the gas tank that runs to the fuel pump - I blew compressed air through that line and it is clear.

So I think there is a plug in the pick up tube in the gas tank. So I put a long stiff plastic twist tie into the connection on the side of the gas tank down into the pick up tube inside the gas tank -- it went in about 7 inches and then stopped. I twisted and turned the twist tie trying to dislodge anything that might be plugging the fuel pickup inside the tank. I then blew compressed air into the tank from the connection on the side of the gas tank thinking I could blow out the obstruction inside the pickup tube. Got lots of back pressure -- didn't hear any air going into the gas tank.

I put a long flexible stick into the gas tank through the gas cap opening trying to see how much gunk was in the tank. I rubbed the stick on the inside bottom of the gas tank and took out the stick -- not really much gunk....... I expected to see gobs of gook.

Hooked the fuel pump back up and still no gas coming out of the gas tank. Any ideas????

Thanks in advance
B Weber

Take the sender unit off the side of the tank - you should be able to get a better look from there.
Cam Cunningham

Put a bottle of fuel injection system cleaner in it, might take a couple of days. Try to mix it up with the gas when you put it in. If possible, squirt some of it backwards down the pickup pipe, if there is a screen on the pipe, it's probably varnished up. The bottles are usually good for 20gal, so you are putting a quad dose in there - good.

FRM
FR Millmore

This thread was discussed on 21/07/2009

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