fuel pump won't prime
I was concerned about having old gas since my BT7 hasn't been fired up in over a year. I pulled the line to the carburetor and turned on the Holley electric fuel pump for a few seconds until it had pumped about 10 ounces of fuel into a container. Then I filled the gas tank with fresh gas and turned the key. The pump whirrs continuously but no gas is being pumped. I note that the fuel line from the tank comes up over the axle and then down to the low side of the pump. I removed the inlet to the pump and some fuel came out but I feel sure that the high line and the pump are without fuel.
Advice is most welcome! I want to get on the road. |
Citron Stephen DeGroat Lugoff, SC (367 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 09:43PM Main British Car: 1970 MGBGT V6, 7004R, AC, matching trailer 3.1 liter |
Re: fuel pump won't prime
Try blowing into the tank from the filler. Either good old lung power or use a compersser. You do not need to have an air tight connection, so some pressure is applied to the tank. It should move the gas up the line.
Steve |
MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4514 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: fuel pump won't prime
Had to do that with my '68 Camaro once when it ran out of gas (had a Holley electric fuel pump). I felt stupid blowing into the gas tank, but it actually worked.
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Re: fuel pump won't prime
I already tried to blow into the fuel tank inlet while listening to the fuel pump humm. It didn't work. I put the cover over the Healey and went onto the 101 other things I am involved with. I suspect there's a physical blockage within the tank. But how would I have been able to vacuum gas to the inlet to the fuel pump?
The next thing I'm going to try is to hoist the rear into the air to see if gravity will do the trick. The Holley website says the pump is designed to puss, not pull, and must be below the fuel level in the tank. The Healey tank is low down. Thanks for the responses. JJ |
castlesid Kevin Jackson Sidcup UK (361 posts) Registered: 11/18/2007 10:38AM Main British Car: 1975 MGB GT Rover V8 4.35L |
Re: fuel pump won't prime
You could try taking the pump off and letting it hang below the bottom of the tank and see if it will prime that way.
Kevin. |