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MG TD TF 1500 - Running but ....

Well, we seem to have the car running very well, however, I do have an issue that seems to be boggling my mind. Every 6 seconds the amp gauge dips low - I lose approx 3 -5 amps (pending the accuracy of the gauge) which gives the engine a little pause. you can actually feel it, in the fuel pump, signal relay.. etc..
Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Richard
R & A Budd

Hi Richard,
Congrats on getting the engine running! It's such a thrill to get a piece of machinery that hasn't run in years running again. Even better is when you have rebuilt the engine and fire-up for the first time.

Now for your concern about the dip in the ammeter.
If you can lay hands on a clip-on DC ammeter you could find which wire is sucking up so much current. The commercial one I have was about $50 and puts out 1 millivolt per Amp. So you need to use a digital voltmeter with it.

The only thing I can think of that might have a cycle time of 6 sec. is the fuel pump, if so, taking off the cap and watching for sparks at the contacts might give a clew. Also if the engine is running faster that would change the cycle time because the pump must run faster to supply fuel to the engine. Don't need to go crazy here if your engine idles at 1000 RPM, increasing to 2000 should decrease cycle time to about three seconds.

Let us know what you find, this is how we all learn.
Good Hunting,

Bob
R. K. (Bob) Jeffers

Hi Richard, I agree with Bob- it sounds like the normal dip when the fuel pump point close. To easily diagnose, just remove the fuel pump wire from the terminal and see if the flicking needle steadys. The car should idle for quite a while with the pump disconnected. The pump shouldn't draw so much current that it effects the engine however. I just printed some picts from our trip to your area today- you sure have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world in your area!!!. Your money looks cool too. George
George Butz

Thanks, we will give it a shot tonight.

Richard
R & A Budd

This thread was discussed between 10/08/2005 and 11/08/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

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