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MG Midget and Sprite General - Noooooo more bad news!!!

Currently midget is in the garage, has had starting problems. Would start no problem to begin with. Stripped carbs, made sure all bits were working. Slapped the alternator on and got the dynamo off. Before I purchased it, it apparently had a new fuel pump fitted.

When I began to start it the other day, it would get to 2000-3000 or even just 20 seconds worth of engine time. Then completely die all together, would restart but do the same thing.

Had all the electrics checked out, nothing there....

After having a new fuel pump fitted and some new hoses, it's now formulated that it is intact the tank. As it's full of rubbish, blocking everything on it's travels.

Luckily manage to find a new tank... And continuing to push forward. Just hoping this solves the problem... And I can get driving now!
Nathan Dowding

Nathan, have you taken the dynamo off and replaced it with an Alternator. I seem to think that you have to do something fairly drastic to the wiring set up when you remove the regulator box thing. Maybe this is the cause of your problems.

A.
Andrew McGee

Thank you Andrew will look into. Mechanic fitted alternator I'm hoping he would have known.
Nathan Dowding

Nathan
has your car been standing for a while before you bought it?
Onno K

Sounds like ordinary midget-heaven ;^)
Alex G Matla

Yes believe it or believe it not.

The previous owner hasn't got a driving license, he just restores cars for a living. Had it for a year of which probably drove it down a lane by his house 4 times.

What you thinking onno?

Alex heaven definitely... Just not financially ha!
Nathan Dowding

Yes Nathan, and I have a '72 volvo 145 as well, wich needs an engine refreshment. But it still is fun.....
Alex G Matla

Cars that have been standing still usualy have their own problems.

deteriorated fuel lines and crudded up fuel tanks are some of them.

Every thing rubber should be checked
mountings
coolant hoses
fuel lines
brake lines
Bushes

All electrical connections are also a liability
so going around with a fine sandpaper and wd40 should help.
Onno K

Several ideas.... But..what car do you have...year, engine, model

1 what is the new fuel pump psi... If its more then 3-4 psi, not good,

2. Where is the pump located and what type is it...pusher or puller, is the pump located above the fuel level or below it, does the pump require sitting at an angle

3. Correct fuel cap... And is the vent clear. Not blocked... Is there a vent

4..is there any leaks in the lines...as in bubbles in the fuel

5. Any vacume leaks from the cards to the head...use a vac gauge on the intake ... Dont guess

The floats and float needles are working correctly and not sticking...

Prop
Prop

Nathan
Meet Prop
He is a nice guy but he can rant a bit.
And you should always ask if ones midget is running befor you take advice from them.........
Onno K

Hi prop

Ifs a 1972 mk III midget 1275cc.

Been informed it's 2 psi, might be a worth a mention at an angle. It's also a pushing pump.

Floats and needles have been checked over. All working okay

Onno what do you mean? Don't understand?

Car is running?
Nathan Dowding

Meaning, toungue in cheek I suspect, :)

-- always suspect advice from someone who gives it, but hasn't got their own engine running yet.
Lawrence Slater

Nathen... Its friday, you have a life im sure, you dont want to know, hHaha

I talked to the machine shop yeasterday...hopfully ill have it running agian before christmas day

Did you check the fuel cap vent

Prop

Prop

No advice here... In fact i rarely give advice... I just ask questions most of the time once in a while i offer up my personal opinion.

Any vacume leaks



Prop
Prop

Also, it would appear, that according to your earlier post, you are now the owner of two fuel pumps. One new, and one fairly new.

You win tonights star prize.

You are now elligible to join the great backup fuel pump thread.

Your starter for 10 is.

As you have a spare fuel pump, ---

Is it better to carry this in the boot(as an installable spare if needed),

Or is it better to pre-install it, with the ability to switch it in, should your primary pump fail?

It may be 20 years or 20 weeks or 20 minutes before you ever need to know the answer to this question.

But the answer has been taxing the greatest minds here for years. lol.

Lawrence Slater

My thinking on the back up fuel pump is

If you drive it once a week Go with a nice rebuilt SU pump with points NON electronic and add an electric in line pass thur faucet pump. On an electrical switch..

If you drive rarely do the electronic SU pump rebuilt by our bbs member MR. deboise and add an in line pass thur faucer pump but with no electrical connections... So if you short out the electronic pump you still got the faucet pump.. just hook up the 2 wires and you got a 2nd chance to get going

The points can handle a small power surge of crossed wires...but the electronic pump is sucidal when it comes to crossed wires . i got the t shirt...i personal like the orginal points SU over the new replacements... But if the car sits long the points in the pump get gimpy

Prop
Prop

Prop, how come you didn't join the backup debate on technical then?

You might have had the deciding vote numbers wise, for those for, and those against :)
Lawrence Slater

Lawrence. You're at it again! Stop baiting poor old Prop. What other forum has got such a character? He might take offence and leave us to go on the John Deere forum or join a house painter's discussion group. LOL.

Bernie.
b higginson

Naw Bernie - he and Arie have long since given up on the house painters one coz they weren't allowed to talk about lobster porn like they are here ...;)

Nathan - when starting up any car after a while it will be full of junk in the fuel system and you will have to clean it from the carbs back to the tank - and then do yourself a favour and put in at least one filter and make it paper as they collect the most amount of rubbish. Then try not to ever run on less than 1/4 a tank as that is the easiest and cheapest way to keep it running clean.
rachmacb

Lobster porn? How are lobsters porno? That I'd l;ove to see. lol.

Beofore you go installing a fuel filter, take a look at the advice given by Dave Dubois regarding placement.

Make sure, if you do install a filter, it's on the OUTLET side of the pump, and NOT the inlet.

If the filter clogs, and you have installed it on the INLET side, the pump will likely end as toast, and you will be buying a 3rd pump for your troubles.
Lawrence Slater

Nathan

Fit a fuel filter in the fuel line before it gets to the carbs. They are really cheap and secure with two small jubilee clips. This should sort any rubbish in the fuel problems.

To be sure, you could remove the fuel pipe from the Left hand (closest to radiator) float bowl and put it into a pot, get a friend to turn on the ignition and you'll know that your fuel pump is OK if you get a fuel coming out into the pot. Run it for 30 seconds to be sure that the pump isn't working intermittently. Needless to say, be careful!
Robin Cohen

Yeah guys...

Siphoned the fuel into a separate container with a clear filter on, saw the amount of rubbish it's pumping through.

Fuel tank is rusty as hell on the inside and pumping loads of crap from there..

Is this from fuel additives would you say or from just standing over time??

Going for a new fuel tank now....
Nathan Dowding

That is what modern fuels do to old tank sealing compound
Onno K

Sorry lawerance,

I wasnt aware of the posting.

Prop
Prop

This thread was discussed between 02/12/2011 and 04/12/2011

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