MGB MGB '74 B-GT with fuel problem - SOLVED [I think!]

It looks like the problem may have been solved. After I checked the ground on the pump and it still stopped after just a few seconds, I took it off the car and hooked it up to 12 volts. Again, it ran for 10 seconds or so, then stopped. Decided to get a new Hardi pump from Gordon.

When I was taking the faulty pump off, I found that the rear flexible hose for the brakes was cracking - seemed like it was kind of twisted when it was put on - so I ordered one of those, too. Today was the first chance I had to bleed the rears, since my 12-year-old grandson didn't have school, and he did an excellent job as the pedal pumper. Only problem was getting his size 12 sneakers in there...

He wanted to go out on the road test, so we buzzed around for about 25 minutes, the brakes work perfectly and the engine ran just like it was a real car. I think Alex might turn out to be a car guy.

Thanks for the advice,

Harry

This was the original post:

"First time this happened, I start the car and drive off. In about ½-mile or so, the engine stumbles, then dies. First thought was fuel tank not venting, so I loosened the gas cap - no sound of air rushing in. Turned ignition on, and heard the fuel pump chatter like a machine-gun, then settle down to normal clicking.


Since then I have driven until it dies (½-mile), then checked the fuel filter. It's glass, and was about 1/2-full or less. Got back in, turned on ignition, fuel pump machine-gunned again, then settled down. Started engine, drove home.

Checked the vent line from the canister to the gas tank - compressed air from hose under hood to the tank, and could feel good air flow.

Today I tried pumping gas into a clear bottle, from the fuel filter hose. Might have seen bubbles in the glass filter, and in the catch bottle - not sure. While doing that, the fuel pump stopped dead. Over the next five minutes or so, I tried turning on ignition with no clicking at all, and tried switching on/off. Then the pump began to click and pump gas, but stopped again.


Checked around the pump, and the lines and connectors seem okay."

Was your original pump a points pump? I had a similar problem with mine except i had to open it up and "convince" the pump to do its job before it would start again.

Yes, it was a points pump, and new in 2011. It would click after being tapped, but only for a few seconds. When I took the top off the pump, the points area looked like it was coated with soot. So I decided to try a 'pointless' pump and see how that goes.

i had to open it then "break" them free by pushing them through their motion with my fingers. it would kind of pop. But it was an old pump. Im stumped by the fact it would pump fine then stop. mine would stop and be done until I freed it up.

Gentlemen - SU fuel pump points need to be cleaned periodically and especially after having sat unused for long periods of time. The best way of insuring that the points are completely cleaned is to use the procedure in the article, Cleaning Points in the SU Fuel Pump Articles section of my Homepage, linked in the signature block below. Cheers,