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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - sputtering carbs

The carbs on my 1953 MG-TD (H2's) were rebuilt two years ago. When the car is running warm, the rear (?) carb sputters and sometimes the fuel pump runs continually, but doesn't spill any fuel. The car still runs, but roughly. Any ideas? Could it be the grose jets?
In advance, thanks for any input!
Bernard Thompson

Some questions: has it done this from the time the carbs were rebuilt? does it run well before it reaches some critical temperature? what temperature? Can it be revved under load when it is running rough, and if so, does it smooth out then? The answers to these may help to pin it down to vapor lock, bad diaphram in fuel pump, etc.
George B.

Bernard - Your problem sounds like a vapor lock problem. If the fuel pump diaphragm was bad, the problem would be common to both carbs and continual. Additionally, the diaphragms rarely go bad. In all the pumps that I have overhauled, about the only diaphragms that I see that are bad are ones that have become rock solid from years of unuse. I had a problem similar to yours that occured whenever the car was shut down after driving on a hot day and then restarted 15 - 30 minutes later. A vapor lock would develop in the passage between the float chamber and the jet. To check for this condition, push the float tickler pin on the carb that is causing the problem. It may take more than one push to dislodge the vapor bubble below the float. If you find that this is the problem, let me know and I can give you a source for heat shields used on Minis and the template for modifying them to fit the TD. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

I too had the same problem three years ago after I finished restoring my 52 TD. My problem was associated with starting and rough running after being shut down for about 15 to 30 minutes. I solved the problem with the installation of the aforementioned heat shield which is installed between the carbs and the manifold. I purchased the shield off this BBS from a guy in Pennsylvania and it fit directly with no modifications. Sorry but I could find no paperwork with the necessary information for the shield, so you might try to get a response through an inquiry on this BBS. I had a later similar problem which I initially associated with the heat problem which turned out to be a bad condensor in the distributor. Good luck.
Dick McCutcheon

Dick McCutcheo

I'm the guy in Pa. who makes the heat shields for TCs,TDs and TFs. I am presently out of stock, but if I get orders for 6 or more, I'll make some up. They are $65 each plus p+p.

Geoff Love.
Geoff Love

Hi Bernard, Check out the float in the rear carbie. They have a tendency to get a tiny hole and fuel slowly leaks in. This causes rough running as you describe. Just remove the float and shake it to feel the fuel inside.
Good Luck.
Paul.
Paul van Gool

This thread was discussed on 27/06/2000

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.