Weird Fuel Pump Issue

[borjis]

So I was driving my newly restored and finally finished 71 mgb last weekend.

It was 90 degrees outside.
I put about 200 miles on the car driving for 3.5 hours straight.

On my way back home, the car began to stall (lack of fuel)
so I floored it while I was still coasting and it would cut in and out, so I pulled into a parking lot, but it kept running.

I thought it was just a temporary clog or something so I got back on the road, then it stalled again but this time it wouldn't go.

Turning the ignition key, the fuel pump was not ticking
(its a fairly new su mechanical with points)

I tried rapping on it a couple times, no results. I disconnected the power terminal a few times and I thought I heard the pump tick once or twice when putting the terminal back on.

Lifted the hood and I could see the clear fuel filter was bone dry.

My brother came to the rescue and the first thing he did was disconnect the fuel filter and have me turn the key. There was no ticking from the fuel pump, but fuel did come through. So we put the hose back on the filter and I drove home (about 1 mile away) without incident.

When I got it parked in the garage I turned off the engine for a moment then turned on the ignition again....nothing but silence as far as the fuel pump goes.

A week later i go out to the car and turn on the ignition and also today (another week later) and the fuel pump is ticking and pumping fuel when the ignition is on.

Do I have a flakey fuel pump?

Or was it some sort type of vapor locking incident?

Some have said mg's with electric fuel pumps can't vapor lock and the car didn't sit at all off for awhile, it was always running.

any ideas much appreciated.


I forgot to add that the gas tank is brand new so I know its not sludge in the tank.

I've put well over 600 miles on the car and this was the only incident and the only time it was that hot outside while driving.

 

[David_DuBois]

For a fuel deliery troubleshooting guide, see my article at: https://www.custompistols.com/cars/dave/ddFuelDeliveryTroubleshooting.htm
Your problem could be anything from a clog that developed on hte inlet or outlet side of the pump, a flakey pump or a fuel tank vent that is not venting properly. All of these things are addressed in the above troubleshooting guide. You might also want to consider adding a permanently installed back up pump to you car, that is operated by a switch in the passenger compartment. Information on installing such a pump can be found at: https://www.custompistols.com/cars/dave/BackUpFuelPump.htm
Cheers,