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MG MGB Technical - Fuel Pump Prime?

'76 MGB. When the car is not run for several days or more, the pump seems to lose it's prime. The pump runs(clicks), but no fuel to the carbs. If I pressurize the tank, it will immediately start and run fine. If started again within the next several days, all is well. Before I replace it, is there anything to check or adjust? The fuel pump is not original, but I haven't been able to find any make/model info. without removing it. Thank you all
Bill Meyer
W. L. Meyer

The only time I've experienced fuel pump clicking but no fuel is when there has been an air leak. The pump sucks air instead of fuel.

When I had the problem on my car, there was a pinhole in the pipe between tank and pump, right at the top of the arc.
Dave O'Neill2

Dave is correct, an air leak on the inlet side of the pump will cause it to suck air instead of fuel. If you will e-mail me at SUfuelpumps@donobi.net, I'll send you troubleshooting tips on finding an air leak. Cheers - Dave
Daved DuBois

Dave&Dave: Thanks for your responses. Dave D. got your tips. Thank you. I checked for bubbles in the fuel line to the carbs and found none. I used about four feet of clear tubing into a clear container. Since I had just pressurized the tank 2 days ago, I would not have expected any problems. If I wait several days and try it there will be no fuel at all to the carbs. Also checked all hoses and fittings at the pump and tank and everything was tight. Any other tips/tricks to try before I buy a new pump. Also, the portion of the pump that's in the boot has a small metal tube, maybe a vent? There is a black plastic cover on it. Anything I should check there? Thanks again for your help.
Bill
W. L. Meyer

Bill - Wait until the problem occurs again and then first try removing the filler cap for the tank and let the pump run. If that get the fuel moving, you have a clogged tank vent. If no there is still no fuel being pumped, rerun the test in my procedure again. If still no fuel, you may have a fractured reed valve on the inlet side of the pump. Cheers - Dave
Daved DuBois

This thread was discussed between 16/10/2012 and 18/10/2012

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