healey starting problems

[Jackie Couch]

Wouldn't you know, the day i register here is the day i have a problem. Basically, i ut the car in storage for the winter, and moved it in April to a new location. This weekend was the first good weekend to take the car out of the bat-cave, and it won't start.
Everything sounds fine - and it ran in april no problem - but it just won't "catch".
So, I have three questions to ask of you:
1. Should, when I'm starting the car, I hear the clicking of the fuel pump? I am currently not and am fearful that no fuel is getting to the engine. (there is no smell of gas, even after countless attempts)
2. Would a plugged gas filter have anything to do with the pump not working?? (meaning, is there a pressure sensor that inhibits the pump from performing if it encounters, for example, a plugged filter?)
3. How full should the carbs be? I had them filled early last summer, and i don't drive it that frequently - so is there any chance that the carbs may be causing me grief?
Thanks a billion for you time.
It often goes unsaid, but without a forum like this, there's no telling what kind of trouble some people would be in. Thank you.
Have a pint on me!

 

[Steve]

I would suspect the fuel pump. After a period of standing idle, it is not unheard of for the points inside to stick. With the ignition on, just give the body of the pump a sharp tap with something like a hammer (or wheelbrace-I've done that) and you should start to hear the rapid clicking of the pump doing its thing. Then try to start it. If that doesn't work, then it's on to plan B. Let us know how this works.

 

[Jackie Couch]

Thanks, Steve, for your input.
Can you tell me if the fuel pump is fused - and if so, is there a possibility that the fuse has gone and that is why there is no fuel hitting the carbs??
I will try to knock it with something, and just to make sure, the fuel pump on a 64 healey is located behind the distributor, no??
thanks again, babe.
Jac

 

[Basil]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jackie Couch:
Wouldn't you know, the day i register here is the day i have a problem. <snip>

<hr></blockquote>

Steve has good advice and he's probably right. But, in case that doesn't do it, here are some suggestions. First, remove the fuel line and place it in a glass jar. Have someone crank the car and see if a good stream of gas flows. If not, change the filter and try again (yes, a plugged filter can keep the pump from pumping). If still no go there are two possibilities. One, it could still be the fuel pump gone south, or two (and this is exactly what happened to us on my son's 280Z after a long period of storage), it could be that the mesh filter (usually like a sock) that covers the output pipe inside the gas tank is clogged (it is inside your gas tank and, at least on the 280 Z was not accessable). Did you have gas in the tank for several months with nothing like Stabile to keep it from varnishing? If not, it is possible that the fiter mesh inside the tank got varnished over. Way to tell is drain the gas (its a pain), then remove the line that goes from the tank to the pump and using a clean rubber hose, connect it to the tank output feed and try blowing air into it. If you can easily blow into it, then its probably not plugged, if you can't then the tank is plugged and will need to be cleaned (most radiator shops can do this).

Stii, it could be the pump too - check all the connections and check the fuse.

One more stupid question, but you are certain you have gas?

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

[ 07-06-2002: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>

 

[Jackie Couch]

Thanks, Basil.
I unplugged the fuel line from the filter and found no gas going through the lines to the carbs - as it was turning over. I'll think about draining the fuel tank, but i'm going to go check the fuse now. There's no clicking sound, so i'm pretty sure it's a problem with the pump.
I also read online that fuel pumps were generally replaced on Healey's as a part of the seasonal tune up.
So, alas, i'll let you know how things go.
Thanks again for your help - this site's a saviour.

thanks again.

 

[John Turney]

Jackie,

You didn't say (or I missed) which Healey you have. If you have a big Healey (100, 100-6 or 3000), the fuel pump is behind the seats, and is normally not fused. On the earlier ones, it's behind the left side and later went to the right side in the middle of the 3000 series. If you have a "4-seater" the pump can be reached by removing the appropriate rear seat pan. You should hear it click when you turn on the ignition, but before you start the car. As said before, turn it on and give it a whack to loosen the points. Even if the inlet is plugged, it should still click, it just won't do any good. If it starts running and won't stop, check that your carbs are not overflowing or that you don't have a leak.

Good luck

John