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MG MGB Technical - Fuel pick up tube woes

Greetings all,

It appears that I have done such a good job applying internal sealer to my fuel tank during it's restoration that I have even sealed the end of the pick up tube!

fuel pump was ticking away like crazy but nil fuel getting anywhere, filter bone dry and that's only a couple of feet away from the tank.

Tried a little low pressure air into the tank to pressurize and see if any fuel came out of the line - nil.

Tried pressurizing the external pick up fitting with a bit more pressure and no budging the blockage. Tried with all sorts of different wire, cable etc but to no avail as the only thing that appeared to make it anywhere near where the blockage was a light speedo cable that you can't get any force behind to clear it.

Anyone ever had any joy clearing a pick up blockage of this magnitude?????

I would imagine that the only way to get to the pick up is to cut the tank in half and re-weld later - if it got to this though I would say a new tank would be in order.

Would appreciate any thoughts!!!

Cheers,
C Brennan

The pick up is part of the fuel tank sender unit. I'm about to replace mine, it's fairly straight forward as long as the tank is nearly empty.
c cummins

Thanks, however mine is a Mk 1 with the pickup separate to the sender unit.

I had thought about seeing if a later model sender unit with the incorporated pickup would fit. that could be an option.

Cheers,
C Brennan

I did exactly the same thing with a midget tank many years ago. I couldn't clear it at all and ended up having to replace the tank. The problem is compounded by there being a gauze over the end of the pick-up. I would never use a tank sealant again.

Regarding fitting a later tank, isn't the mark 1 tank held on with straps? If so the later tank is quite different as it bolts through the boot floor.
Mike Howlett

"It appears that I have done such a good job applying internal sealer to my fuel tank during it's restoration that I have even sealed the end of the pick up tube!"

Not surprised, the filter sock on the end of the pickup tube will clog very easily if any setting liquid is introduced = an 'Ah Buggah' moment.

The Mk1 sender is held on with screws, the Mk2 both separate pickup and combined pickup with a locking ring. The latter two *might* be interchangeable with each other, but not with the earlier type without work.
Paul Hunt

I can confirm that in the bolt-on tank you can fit either the sender without fuel pick-up or the later sender with the fuel pick-up incorporated. The fitting is identical with the locking ring. This is how I arranged my fuel injection on my 1969 GTV8 conversion. I have the earlier Mk2 tank with the pick-up plumbed in the tank permanently, and I fitted a later sender, using the pick-up pipe on that as the fuel return from the fuel rail on the engine.
Mike Howlett

You did mention the possibility of cutting the tank and re welding. DONT TRY IT. empty tanks are very explosive. I have welded fuel tanks but only after filling with water. Not to be reccomended.
Trev
Trevor Harvey

Thanks all especially Mike for the suggestion on the newer combined sender unit. One is ordered and on the way, hopefully there is enough play with the current fuel line configuration to attach to the new pick up on the sender.

Will just permanently cap off the end of the old connection, once I can source the right fitting and should be good to go.

Cheers,



C Brennan

This thread was discussed between 23/03/2014 and 24/03/2014

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