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Fuel Pump Question(s)/help - long

To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Subject: Fuel Pump Question(s)/help - long
From: "J & C Cullen" <ccullen16@cogeco.ca>
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2003 00:42:04 -0500
Hello all,

Been on this list for I guess 5 or 6 years now (well before I was just on
the triumph list), anyhow mostly I just lurk and learn from others... I try
to post every once an a while to help, but most of you guys seem to know way
more than me. Typically, when I get a problem with my Spit I just try to
stumble my way through by using a combination of what I learn from this
list, my Haynes manual, common sense and trial and error... usually works,
but I am now officially stumped. I seem to learn about the specific workings
of my car when problems come up, so now I guess I will have to learn about
fuel pumps.

On to the problem.... I guess my explanation and eventual question may take
awhile, but please bear with me. It is kind of funny.... in a laughing at
yourself kind of manner.

About 2 weeks ago I decided to change the oil, and attempt to fix the
exhaust manifold leakage I get for the first few minutes after starting. In
the process of taking off the manifold I dropped a bolt by the bellhousing,
while trying to retrieve the bolt I "jostled" the fuel line enough to
officially crack the rubber/plastic connector that joins the fuel line from
the fuel pump to the carb. I think no problem I probably should have
replaced that and now I am forced to. Well in the process of removing the
cracked connector I accidently "jostled" the fuel line from the fuel pump
(which seemed it was on its last legs) enough to get a break in it. Now I
officially have gas spurting out of the crack in the fuel line.

So, I think well I apply some Irish ingenuity/engineering to this problem
and since I have got some of this extra rubber connection stuff I remove the
fuel line, break it, and rejoin it using the rubber piping and some clamps.
After doing that it seems my Spit seems to work "ok", but after a few days
of this I realize this is not the fix, because I intermittently have to deal
with the car dying in transit.

I am now prompted to go to the local auto supply place across the street
from work (which involves me driving the spit to work, tucking my tie into
my shirt pocket and removing the fuel line all without getting grease on my
white dress shirt). I show the guy at the auto part place my problem, and he
attempts to help me out, but he does not have the identical furl
(spelling? - this is basically the little metal seal that self clamps itself
to the fuel line to seal the line to the pump) to fit on the new fuel line.
We both agreed I would try the furl he had and see what happens. I put the
fuel line back on (again in my tie and white shirt), and realize right away
that this didn't work, because I now have fuel pouring out of the fuel
pump/fuel line connection, but it is 6 pm the parts place is closed and the
car runs well enough to have me nurse it home (5 minute drive). I get home
and remove the fuel line, and then I am unable to stop the rest of the fuel
from pouring out of the pump onto my garage floor (I thought this was
strange, but figured some kind of vacuum thing must have happened like
draining a swimming pool).

The next day (today), I bring the fuel line back to where I purchased it,
and the guy goes the extra mile for me (all he got out of his troubles was $
3 - nice guy), and finds a supply store who has a different shaped furl,
still not identical to the original, but closer. I install this one, presto,
no leaking and the car turns over and I run it for a few minutes and go in
and have dinner. After the kids go to bed I decide I am going to run out to
the gas station and fill up the car (as I lost most of the gas on the garage
floor). I go to turn the car over and it starts immediately, but after a
minute or two the car cuts out. I think it might just be because it is a bit
cold, but after trying repeatedly to start the car it gives up. I then
realize I am pretty close to E on my fuel gauge, and since I never let the
gauge get that low I actually may be empty. I go and get 5 litres of gas in
a gas can, and put that in.... car still won't turn over. Now, I am getting
worried, so I get my Haynes manual out, and try what they suggest. I removed
the high tension coil, then disconnected the fuel and the carb and turned
the car over. I am not getting any gas out at all. So, after all that my
question(s) are:

1) is there anything else I can do to troubleshoot/diagnosis this problem
(does it sound like the pump is my problem)?

2) could I have ruined the fuel pump, by trying to install the fuel line
with the incorrect furl?

3) should I just go ahead and replace the fuel pump?

Sorry, for such a long question. I hope at least some of you get a chuckle
out my misfortune. I am kind of laughing at myself anyhow.

Thanks in advance,

Jim Cullen
74 Spitfire

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