13 replies to this topic

[JimW1991Neon]

My 1991 998cc unit has been stood for over 5 years.

 

Now I'm trying to resurrect it, but there is no output from the mechanical fuel pump.

 

Short of a replacement pump, is there any neat trick to kicking it back into action?

 

If I do have to replace it, what's the best way to get at it? From above, or from below?

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Jim

[phillrulz]

Check the engine oil, the diaphram may have ruptured which may be pumpoing petrol into your oil which will damage your engine. 

[cal844]

Easy to replace but fiddly as youll be lyong across the engine bay.

Removal is just 2 bolts but you may have issues depending on how old the pump is.


I'd also suggest some rtv sealer on the new gasket

[johnR]

New ones are expensive - is fuel getting to the pump along the pipe?

[Rorf]

Stood 5 years, petrol line probably gummed up.

[DeadSquare]

Have you put petrol in the tank ?

[mini13]

Pull the pump off and work it by hand, you'll be able to see if it's leaking into the sump. Also you can suck the fuel through with your mouth, mind you don't get a gob full though,

[JimW1991Neon]

Thanks for all those suggestions.

 

I can, just, manage to suck a trace of fuel through by attaching the distributor end of the vacuum advance tube to the end of the fuel pipe that feeds the carb and spinning the motor on the starter.

 

So, I guess a new fuel pump is required! 

[DeadSquare]

If you can afford it, get an electric Morris Minor one and mount it near the wiper motor.

 

Take the electric from somewhere like the dash illumination switch, so that you can turn the pump off.  If someone drives the car off, they only have a carb full of fuel before the engine dies.

[JimW1991Neon]

Hmm... DeadSquare.

That's an interesting idea. I think I'll give that a go. It looks much better than messing about down the back of the engine, trying to reach that darned pump down there1

[richmondclassicsnorthwales]

Some pumps need to be mounted by the tank, so bear this in mind on what you buy

 

Some are designed as a push rather than a pull and vise versa

[johnR]

The facet ones need to be mounted ideally near and below the tank(s) I think - mine's going on the rear subframe - I've already wired in a relay, switch and warning light.

[Spider]

If you can afford it, get an electric Morris Minor one and mount it near the wiper motor.

 

Take the electric from somewhere like the dash illumination switch, so that you can turn the pump off.  If someone drives the car off, they only have a carb full of fuel before the engine dies.

 

I did try a Morris Minor Pump and in fact, put up with it for a about a year. They only have an output pressure of 1 PSI, I don't know why they are so low and the new pumps aren't adjustable in output pressure.

 

The car would run OK with this pump however I have a filter just down stream of it and as soon a 1 speck of crud would get in to the filter, the car would starve for fuel.

 

I used this pump as I needed a long line sucker pump, due to the arrangement of the fuel tanks and the only place I had left to fit a pump it was up under the passenger's side parcel tray.

 

I've since swapped out for one of the German Made SU copies that Mini Spares sell, done around 20 000 km with that now and hasn't missed a beat - yet.

 

I'm sure in time, as the pump wears that it will 'prematurely' let me down as it's not rated as a sucker pump and I'm using it a way that it's not designed for, but so far, I'm happy.

[DeadSquare]

The original pump on my pick-up worked ok when I moved it from the rear subframe to the bulkhead.

 

There was just room to move the pump from the subframe and tuck it under the corner of the fuel tank, in the boot of the saloon.