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MG MGB Technical - Big fuel leak

Today when I parked my '79 MGB there was a big flow of fuel from the fuel pump area. The flow stopped after about a minute. I was able to drive the car home (a fee miles) but no more driving until I fix this. I did not have time to jack up the car and look yet, should I suspect the hoses first? Do fuel pumps ever leak like this? the pump is working OK.
T Delony

I have seen one leaking fuel pump. I have seen many bad hoses, bad connectors and insufficiently tightened connections over the years. Looking is the only way to really tell for sure. Put the car up on jack stands and remove the right rear wheel for access. Wipe everything off and see where the leak is coming from. Les
Les Bengtson

Just a though, but if it stopped with the pump still on, ie ignition on, it may be the seal for the fuel gauge sender, it sits right above the pump. I'd check the rubber hose that connects pump to steel line first, and then the pump to tank conections. If your still not sure if it's pump or hose, fit a new hose and clamps.
J Arthurs

Thanks so much; after looking more closely, it appears to be the hose from pump outlet to the metal tube which supplies fuel forward. To be safe, I will probably replace both the inlet and outlet hoses. I am worried about a gasoline leak if I disconnect the hoses, though. I do not want to create a fire hazard. My tank is about half full (or is that half empty!). Anyway, if I disconnect the pump inlet hose is there a danger of siphoning gas out of the tank?
T Delony

Yes, there is some minor danger. Often, people will jack up the right side of the car to move the gas in the tank towards the left side. Always a good idea to disconnect the battery when working on the fuel pump to prevent any possible sparking. My method of replacing the hoses is to clamp off the hose from the tank to the pump, replace the hose from the pump to the steel line going forward, cut a new hose, of proper length, for the rear. Attach new hose to pump, then remove hose at tank and attach new hose. Spilling of gasoline is minimized by this method even with a full tank. Les
Les Bengtson

Thank you , Les, this method worked great. With the right side jacked up the access was excellent also. Great to be back on the road safely!
T Delony

Glad you got the problem solved. Always feels so good when you diagnose the problem, then fix it and take the car out for a test drive, does it not? Les
Les Bengtson

This thread was discussed between 03/09/2002 and 04/09/2002

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