T-Series MG TD petrol pump

[capetonian]

I am the proud owner of a MG TD 1952 since today. What puzzles me a bit is the petrol pump. Depending on which literature you read you either hear the petrol pump should be ticking away all the time or alternatively if the petrol pumps ticks all the time there might be a leak somewhere along the line. I have not been able to find out what's correct. Has anybody got a clue?

Thank's a million for any advice.

 

[Nunyas]

i think it depends on the pump you have... For example, when my 'B was still using the SU fuel pump the ticking would stop shortly after the ignition was powered up. Since then I've switched over to a different pump that ticks continuously...

 

[Steve_S]

If it is an SU pump, it will always click. However the loudness of the click will vary from car to car. When you first turn on the ignition, you should get a few rapid clicks and then it will taper off as the floats fill up. There should be no more clicks until you run the car. As the fuel in the floats is consumed, the pump will run to refill them. This should only produce one click every few seconds, more if under heavier throttle. You may or may not be able to hear the clicks at all while driving but they are there.

If the pump is clicking rapidly all the time then you have a problem somewhere. The most common place is in one of the rubber inlet hoses between the tank and the fuel pump. Even a tiny crack can be the cause of this so if there is any doubt, replace all the rubber lines. If the lines are good, check for any cracks in the fuel pipes. You may not see a fuel leak even when there is a cracked line or fitting. Since the car does not stall, we can assume the cap is venting properly. The only other causes I can think of would be a fuel leak in the carbs or in the fuel lines after the pump (which you would detect by sight and smell), or a bad diaphram in the pump.

 

[Nunyas]

errr... steve articulated what I meant much better

 

[capetonian]

Great advice. Thank you very much indeed. Now I know what to check for.