Odd 1850 fuel pump problem.

[MIG Wielder]

Well ... I "failed to proceed " last night ( as the RR people would say ) and because of the "cough-cough" symptoms I thought is was the fuel pump. Yes, float chambers empty and no fuel delivery from the pump. Now I happened to have an old SU electric pump in the boot so I rigged that up and away we went !
So just now I had the fuel pump off. I only fitted it 2 months ago as a precautionary change as the original AC one was looking quite old. I operated it by hand to test it and it works fine with lots of suck and lots of fuel delivery.
So the only thing I can think of is that the pump operating lever fell off the cam somehow. It doesn't seem to have much side play and there is no wear on the lever.
Has anyone had this happen before ?
Interestingly the operating cam on the jackshaft does seem to be rather towards the rear of the car; not central in the slot.
Tony.

[Jon Tilson]

A pin hole in one of your rubber sections is more likely so the poor pump was sucking air.

The leccy SU was in the boot I suspect? So pushing and not sucking maybe?

You can fit the pumps wrong so the lever misses the cam and have done this on numerous occasions to great embarrasment conking out
after a few hunderd yards. Have never known one to go off cam in situ...it either works or you missed...

Annoying bolts arent they...


Jonners

[MIG Wielder]

Hi Jon, Thanks for that. The bodge-it-in SU lekky pump went straight on the original pump connectors so it was sucking all the way from the boot. I had the old pump off yesterday, it looked to be working O.K. so I put it back, went for a drive and it was O.K. I can't help thinking it may have an intermittent problem somewhere so I think I shall put the original A.C. pump back later. You know; once a part has let you down.......
I had a look at the hoses and clips on the suction side and they seem O.K. I'll swap them for new I think just as a precaution.
Ah yes; those bolts. The screwdriver slot helps, but so would be being left-handed.
Tony.