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MG MGB Technical - Fuel Pump - no click, click??

Hello Pros - I have recently completed a rebuild on my 80B and turned the engine over for the first time today. While I did not have my carb bolted on, I did expect to see some fuel pressure during cranking (I had a hose running into a side container for fuel spill). Upon turning the ignition, I did not hear the fuel pump click, nor did I have any fuel pressure. The engine cranked fine. Am I missing something basic here or did I lose the fuel pump while the car sat for the rebuild? Thanks in advance!
Patrick McCreary

Unless you were just trying to get up oil pressure with the plugs out I see no reason to crank the engine over before you are ready to start it. It's an electric pump, so you should get fuel flow without cranking, and there is no point in cranking without first having fuel to the engine. It should be easy enough to check the fuel pump for voltage with the ignition switch on. If it has voltage and ground and the line from the pump to the carburetor isn't blocked and it doesn't tick, suspect the pump. If no voltage, use the wiring schematic to trace the cause.
George B.

Try tapping the pump with the ignition turned on. If that fails and you have power to the pump, take the pump off and clean the points if they are not pitted. If you are very ambitious, you can rebuild your pump with components from Moss or other suppliers. Or you can just replace the pump.

donald scott

If it has sat for a while, smack it with a rubber hammer. I tis totally normal for the SU pumps to need this after sitting for a while. But as George and Donald said check for power first.....
J Arthurs

There is a fuel pump cutoff switch under the dash. The purpose of the switch is to stop fuel from pumping after a collision. From memory, it’s about an inch in diameter and about four inches top to bottom. There is a reset switch on the top. With the key on you should have current on both terminals, if not then try the reset switch. If that doesn’t work you may need to replace the switch.
George Champion

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2002 and 03/09/2002

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