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Possible fuel pump problems?

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BabaKahawa

BabaKahawa

Jedi Knight
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I am New to a 58 BN6, car died while I was on my way home, heard clicking around the gas tank like the fuel pump was trying to pump fuel. The car would start again, but would not last long. After about 1/2 hour the car started and I was able to drive home about 7 miles with out any problems, could this be dirt in the tank, or could my fuel pump be going out. I am not sure were to start.
 
Well, proper diagnosis is the first step.

How long have you had the car? What is the car maintenance on it? Did the PO(previous owner) do any fuel system repairs?

If it has probably been sitting for awhile, first thing I would recommend is drain the tank. Through a screen(chamois cloth) or some such so that you can see what condition the fuel is in.

This should be directing you in a direction, either dirty fuel,, which would indicate you need to remove and clean the tank, or clean fuel, which would indicate fuel hoses and pump as the next point of attention.
 
Thank you both for the information. I just bought the healey, the car was suppose to have been rebuild from the ground up, but I do know some existing parts were used. Earlier that week I had just taken it for a 100 mile plus drive.
I do not believe it was vapor lock, The car problems started at night after it had been sitting for about 2 hours, but I will sure check those web sites.

Thank you both.
Ric
 
I hate to sound like a broken record, but it sounds like clogged fuel line to me (which has been my diagnosis for severel problems reported on BCF lately)

The residue in the tank, either tiny bits of rust or sometimes the tank liner itself if it has been treated with some sort of liner to prevent the rust problem and it is flaking off, anyw the residue is pulled to the clog point somewhere in the line and compressed to the point it won't flow fuel by the gas being pushed/sucked through the line by the fuel pump. Stop ofr a while, pressure goes away, silt loosens up, car runs for a while--then the same thing happens.

I would pull the float bowls and see if if looks clean in there, also the fuel line as it goes into first carb, and maybe as it goes into the pump as well, if you see a lot of little brwonish or whitish flakes this is probably your problem.

You can also disconnect the line at or near the carbs as soon as the problem occurs, turn on the ignition again and see if the gas is coming out OK (Drain it into a cup or something) should spurt out farily strong with each click of the pump.
 
glemon,

Followed your advise, both filters at the float chamber cover were full of brown grit, one about 50% , the other about 80%, the bottom of both float bowls had find sand like grit. Also the fuel line deposited flakes into a glass jar when I ran the pump. Sounds like I need to drain or have the gas tank cleaned, Question, is there a drain? And will draining the tank take care of my problem or do I have to remove and clean the tank?
Thanks
 
BabaKahawa said:
Question, is there a drain?
Click to expand...
Yes, if you crawl under the car, you'll see a drain plug in the center.

BabaKahawa said:
And will draining the tank take care of my problem or do I have to remove and clean the tank?
Click to expand...
Hard to say, but I'd guess that you'd need to clean the tank. I'd bet that not all the crud has flaked off the walls yet.
 
Had a similar problem yesterday... pulled the pump and it worked fine on a battery... took an airline and blew out the line from the pump to the carbs (removing the line going into the carbs of course) and it seemed to clear 'something'... Hooked everything up again and it was fine!
 
If the tank was full of crud and flakes you may want to remove it from the car and use the three part gas tank treatment that Moss sells. Others on the forum have reported problems after using this kit but it worked very well for me.
 
I used a tank sealer from Hirsh I think. After several months it came loose in the tank and completely clogged the fuel lines and filter. The filter saved the carbs but stranded me on the highway. I would stay away from that. Either boil the tank out or replace it.
 
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