The subject line says it all. This Sunday I was replacing the fuel pump
in my 77 Midget, which was DOA. This was the last thing that I thought
had to be done before I would get the car to run. So I replace the pump
and all of the fuel lines (old rubber and cracked). This pump has a
fine screen in it for a filter. It also allows the input to
the pump rotated in any direction. I thought this was a handy feature.
I also placed an in-line fuel filter between the pump and the carburetor.
Anyway I put my rebuilt ZS carburetor on, replace the fuel pump and hoses,
put back on the air filter (I have heard rumors that the car will not run
well with it off , fact of fiction?). I then went to the drivers seat
and turned over the ignition. I only got a click. Then I remember that
I had disconnected the starter cable to get better access to the fuel pump.
Duh number 1. Replace the starter cable and crank the engine. Not a
noise that even remotely sounded like starting. Then I remember that I
had disconnect the coil wire for the same reason. Duh number 2. Connect
the coil wire and try to restart the car. Crank and crank but still it
would not start. Now I look under the bonnet and after several minutes of
looking I see that the fuel filter is only about 1/4 filled with fuel. Now
I start to think that I had both a bad fuel pump and a clogged fuel line
(remember Nory's sig.) So I figure I will check the fuel pump by disconnecting
it from the carburetor and cranking the engine. When I disconnected the
input to the carburetor I could hear air hissing out (clue number 1). Anyway
I tested the fuel pump and after several cranks it filled the filter and put
some gas in the can that was on the output side of the fuel filter. Now
I figure the problem is with the carburetor. I connect another hose to the
fuel input to the carburetor and blow. The only that that happened was my
eyes almost popped out of my head. Now I think that my float assembly is
stuck in the closed position (duh number 3?) because of these items:
1. The fuel pump took forever to fill the fuel filter 1/4 of the way.
2. When I disconnected the fuel line from the carburetor fuel input I heard
air hiss out like it was under pressure.
3. I cannot blow air into the carburetor.
Tonight I hope to take the carburetor off and check if it has any gas in it,
and if the float is stuck. Has anyone else ever seen this type of failure?
Just thought I would let you know the status of my Midget. Even if ran I still
couldn't drive it since the seats are out and the steering wheel is removed.
I guess I am moving closer to running but at a snails pace. Three duhs and
one clue is not that bad for a beginner :-)
--
William M. Gilroy
E-mail: wmgilroy@lucent.com
Telephone: 732-957-4775
Fax: 732-957-4775
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