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MG TD TF 1500 - Rust in fuel pump/tank?

My 53 TD started to run rocky after off and on driving in the northeast during the winter and spring. As a prelim to a complete tune-up, I checked the fuel filter and found it filled with some type of junk that I think may be rust. I cleaned the filter out and put in some fresh gas, and it ran much better, but a new look at the filter showed more of the same, just not as much. I drained the gas tank and am trying to figure out whether it's got rust in the tank or not. The stuff that came out of the tank was pretty clean.

How do I determine if the tank is rusty and how do I treat it to cure that problem. Also, maybe I should figure out a way to blow out the fuel line from the tank to the pump with compressed air?

Any ideas on this would be much appreciated.

Larry
LE Becker

Larry,

Since the fuel pipe should be copper, the rust debris either came from your tank or the tank at the filling station. The good news is that you can't hurt your pump passing rust particles (they are pretty tolerant) and the car is running better and you had less debris the second go around (I'm assuming that you are talking about the filter at the pump. Extra filters before the pump can lead to big trouble).

You could certainly disconnect the fuel line at both ends and blow it out. You should also check the filters in the banjo at each carb. Make sure you exercise extreme care in loosening/tightening these connections so you don't bend anything, that you support both fittings as you work, that you don't cross a thread, and that your gaskets and what not are in good shape or even new.

My guess is that the gas you had was old and cruddy and had enough moisture in it to rust the tank some. Between the moisture and the old fuel your TD ran badly. If it ran better with the new fuel, you probably can rest easy, and just clean the filters a few times more.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

This is dumb, but it works.
Attach a magnet securely to a stick and occasionally drag the magnet along the bottom of the gas tank, (the bit you can get at next to the baffle), and remove some of the rust to keep the problem under control.

Cheers,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

Larry - As Dave B. suggest, the only place rust (or any other debris) can come from is the tank and the only permanent cure for it is to have the tank cleaned and coated with a good sealer specifically designed for today's fuels. Don't be tempted to put a modern, high efficiency filter between the tank and the pump as that will damage the pump if it becomes clogged with rust particles. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Matt & I are using the same system. I discovered it by accident after dropping a screw in my tank whilst fixing my fuel cap.
(I was more than a bit shocked as I had paid someone to treat the tank before it was painted)
I do run a clear Napa disposable filter after my fuel pump. I run a "newer" type fuel pump on the TF, back by rear axle so it is easy to peak under there and see when it needs replaced.
Works for me until I can get around to having the tank done. I will do it myself this time!
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

I had this problem, with rust in the tank. It was constantly clogging my pump screen and fuel line, and just got worse and worse as time went on. It got to the point that I could predict when I was going to get stuck, based on the odometer. It had become so frustrating, that I bit the bullet and redid the inside of the tank. I used the Eastwood system. This incorporates an etching wash with muriatic acid solution that the user supplies. After this wash, the results are remarkable! The inside was actually bright silver. After this, the tank is sloshed with a neutralizer, primer and finally the sealer. This was about four years ago, and it has been well worth the considerable effort. Anything that enhances the reliability of the car, drastically increases the enjoyment that I get from it!
Steven Tobias

My local radiator shop cleaned and sealed (something red?) my tank back 5 years ago... charged $100.00! I think most rad shops offer the service?
gblawson(gordon)

Thanks for all the great info; this is one fine forum. Until I get a chance to re-do the tank, I think I'll put an in-line clear filter right off the tank, blow out the fuel line with a compressor, and keep checking the fuel filters for rust, etc. If it keeps getting better, then maybe it was just some junk that accumulated over time in the tank and shook lose on the Albany post-winter pothole streets. If it gets worse, then the tank comes off for a fu treatment.

Thanks,

Larry
LE Becker

Larry, the rust debris will not hurt the fuel pump, and if you put a filter between the tank and the pump, you could hurt the pump. Place the filter AFTER the pump but before the carbs.

Hope this helps,
dave
Dave Braun

This thread was discussed between 17/05/2009 and 19/05/2009

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