Dear Listers:
I am 19 years old, and rather new to this list, but I am not new to
MGB's. I
have had a '77 B in my family for 15 years, and in my care for 7 years.
My problem began last week when I made a road trip to Bakersfield,
CA...I
live in LA, but go to College in Bakersfield...driving over the "Grape Vine"
(a decent accent of 4100' over 40 or so miles) I was pressed for time, and
decided to push the non-o/d B up to 80mph from my normal cruising speed of
70mph...As the engine neared the 4500 Rpm mark, the engine started to
hesitate. Considering the cause to be the head wind, and the temp slightly
above the "normal" range (about one o'clock on the gauge) I throttled back to
70, and proceeded onward without incident. Later that evening, while driving
around Bakersfield, there arose a wind and electrical storm...As the storm
neared overhead, seemingly on cue, the B lost power and died. I figured I had
some kind of fuel problem, but checking the gauges (1/2 tank) and the
transparent fuel filter nearly full under the hood, I began to wiggle ignition
wires, fuel filter wires, and in desperation, rapping on the fuel pump and
float bowl. After 15 minutes of trying, with the engine starting, coming up
to speed, and stalling, the engine finally roared to life...
Figuring the problem, and the electrical storm, were well behind me, I
continued driving around Bakersfield...after 20 or so minutes, the engine once
again sputtered and died...after contemplating my situation, the gorgeous
young woman in the passenger seat, and realizing I had a full tool box and a
spare SU fuel pump in the trunk (left over from the Moss Motors Festival in
Buelton in July [isn't that ironic!]), I decided to get a hotel room for the
night, rather than risking the drive back to LA. After 10 minutes of fiddling
(with the car, mind you) it once again roared to life, and we continued on to
the local Holiday Inn. In the morning, with the manual choke out, the car
started instantly, after checking the rhythmic clicking of the fuel pump, I
drove home at 70mph without a hitch...
I replaced the fuel filter, but not the fuel pump, and I have been
driving it
around town everyday, without incident. I haven't had it up to 80mph, though,
as there is no safe place to do so around LA.
My questions are:
(1) Would/should an electrical storm cause such a problem with
an
electronic ignition?
(2) Is it common for the original SU fuel pump to act up, and
calm down, or
is it now "bad" and should be
replaced? (I have noticed that it no
longer gives out an audible "click click" before start up, like it once
did)
and (3) Has anybody had this problem?
I appreciate any and all responses,
Sincerely,
Steve Sanchez
"under the bonnet in a '77 'B"
Ps For once, I was actually glad that my car broke down in Bakersfield! ;~)
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