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MG MGB Technical - fuel pump

With in the last couple of years i had the fuel pump replaced. Now it seem like its not working again. The pump is clicking but not sending fuel up to clear bowl fuel filter which i replaced this spring. the tank is relatively new, so i wouldnt think about debris in tank.anybody have any ideas what i should check first and what i should do. the car is a 78 MGB

Thanks

Ed
Ed Messer

Check the lines between the tank and the pump for splits or leaks. Sounds like you're trying to pump air. You won't see fuel leaking from them, so you're going to have to do a careful visual inspection. Happened to my '80. The rubber hoses were brittle from age.
R. L Carleen

Ed, Is your car running ok? There have been several recent threads mentioning empty fuel filters. It seems they will frequently be empty but the car runs fine. My two cars usually have empty or almost empty filters. If I check the carburetor fuel bowls they are full. The empty or low filter doesn't seem to indicate a fuel delivery proplem. Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Could be the reed valves (IN and OUT).

They're made of very thin plastic and when they
develope any hairline cracks then fuel will mostly
whoosh back & forth in the fuel lines.

Victoria British # 3-2002 (you'll need 2 of 'em)
Daniel Wong

Arr yes, my friend the SU fuel pump. Source of trouble,expense, and life threatening situations.
Replace the damn thing with a Low pressure Japanese one. I happened to have (and use)a '82 Subaru one. It even makes the same noises, but much more relyably and cheaper. Apparently the Honda civic pumps are just as good and I'm sure there are others equally as good.
Check the archives on this one, heaps said by persons scared and embittered by the fabulous SU fuel pump.
Peter

Ditto on the Japanese pumps. '84/'85 Accord pumps work very well. Same noises, similar mounting, brand new and reliable. Cheap, too. They are manufactured by Mitsubishi.
David
David Florida

If it's clicking with the ignition on but the engine stopped then there is a problem of some kind, with the SU type at least. If not, and the car runs OK, then ignore the empty filter.
Paul Hunt

Be careful Peter, people will start thinking that you don't like SU fuel pumps. Below is a posting from the MGA BBS that will surely confirm your opinion ;)
Lousy MGA
Talk about a lemon! For no reason at all the fuel pump fails..... damn thing only lasted for 48 years!! Next thing you know, it will need a headlight bulb! What happened to quality construction anyway?
Wes (56 MGA with new fuel pump)

David in Florida - Somewhere in my garage, I have the Mitsubishi SU clone that failed on my old Courrier pickup. Not only does it look like the SU, mount like a SU and sound like the SU, it fails like a SU when it gets old.
Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Before you get too excited, check the pump body for the inlet screen. Yup, another place to catch trash.

Mike!
mike!

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2004 and 12/08/2004

MG MGB Technical index

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