Fuel Pump

[Peter Harrison]

Hi All,

My fuel pump (series 2; AZX1308) has recently become hesitant. I suspect that it is the points as if I tap the banjo bolts with a screwdriver I can hear the pump mechanism triggered. This has only recently started happening after storage in a cold barn (inside a permabag). Has anybody else seen this before? Regards, PeterH

[mgcjag]

Hi Peter......very common...ive changed mine for an electronic one....looks exactly the same and even makes a ticking sound......others have just stripped down and replaced the points....Steve

[Heuer]

Like Steve I have fitted an SU electronic pump and it has been 100% reliable. I keep a mechanical one in the boot as a spare but the other day, out of curiosity, I connected it up to a battery and ........... nothing. Had to strip it down to get it ticking again which would have been a pain if I ever had needed it on the side of the road. Buy the electronic!

[AshM]

David,

Thinking of doing this job as I have the long drive to XK70 looming (from Edinburgh).

Nothing wrong with the current pump but it’s a constant nag that it’s probably very old and could let me down.

Couple of questions if I may - is it a straight replacement? SNGB for supply? Do I need to worry about fuel pressure as quite a lot of discussion on that topic with SU carbs not liking excessive pressure.

Thanks

Ash

[mgcjag]

Hi Ash....or you could convert your existing pump to electronic useing Mareks upgrade....viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11506 Steve

[AshM]

Yes Steve, I have Marek’s instructions which are excellent.

I suppose I was in the mindset of ‘fit and forget’ as Marek was very keen to point out that the pump must be in good working order before applying his mod.

Thoughts on the relative merits of either option?

Cheers

[mgcjag]

Hi Ash.....i have replaced about 6 su pumps on various Jags from the points ones to the electronic version all were faulty due to the points......I currently have an electronic one on my E type......on my current build project that had a good working pump i fitted one of Mareks upgrade Ccts....which ever way you go if your doing long runs its worth thinking of carrying a spare....so if your after belt and braces buy a new one and upgrade your old as a spare to carry in the boot.... See you at XK70... Steve

[AshM]

That’s a plan then!

Appreciated, as always. See you there!

Cheers
Ash

[Jeremy]

Hi Peter and Ash,
Dunno if this any use, but I bought a new SU electronic version from SNGB on my resto and put the original away in a box. It ticks reassuringly. It was delivering about 4.8 psi IIRC and causing the carb joints to weep, so I also installed a Filter King which looks quite a bit like the original filter but has a pressure adjuster on top. Turned it down to 2.5psi as recommended here, and all seems to be OK. But I've only driven about 30 metres so far, with no bonnet, so can't offer any useful feedback....

[AshM]

Thanks Jeremy - helpful.

Have ordered the pump from SNGB. Maybe will consider the Filter King too.

I only have three 'workshop days' available to me before the long run South to XK70 (have to go on holiday - would rather be in the workshop but let's not publicise that outside the forum) so need to be careful I don't create last minute problems.

Thinking the new pump may now go in the boot as 'peace of mind' and do the job properly on my return. Also doing some of the coastal run stages later in the year so very keen to get all those 'nagging doubts' we all have resolved.

cheers
Ash

[AshM]

Gone crazy now - filter king ordered, in line pressure gauge too.

Note to self; don't sit in bar of hotel (away on business) reading all of the opinions on a forthcoming workshop job. You get scared and buy everything...

[Jeremy]

[Polse7317]

I have a leak on the banjo fiber washers with a new submersed fuel pump. I have replaced them but the leak is still there . SNG can't tell me the pressure of the new pump,
i think about fitting a pressure regulator or a king filter or both of them....? i have read about an electronic pump but it seems to be an external one for 4.2 ? so what can be the best solution ?

[ALAN COCHRANE]

Sorry the electronic fuel pump is definitely not 100% reliable. I fitted the SNGB submerged one and it conked out after only 800 miles, leaving me stranded 70 miles from home. To be fair they sent a replacement without a quibble and after inspecting the failed unit told me that it was beyond economic repair. Maybe I was just unlucky but I now carry a spare as well.
Ironically I've also got the original SU pump working as well now so I've gone from zero to three working pumps in short order.
However I'd still have the electronic pump over the original points operated one. They seem very prone to failing if left unused for any significant period of time, such as a winter lay up.
I didn't fit a regulator either and haven't had any leak issues so I suspect the pressure from the new pump is equivalent to the old one.

Cheers

Alan

[Heuer]

The in tank pump is a modern replacement for the continuously in tank pump used on the 3.8 cars. The 4.2 cars had external SU supplied pumps which used a set of points as it worked on-demand, hence the occasional clicking. Provided the SU pump is used regularly it is very reliable, the wiping action of the points keeping them clean. Unfortunately most EType's are left standing for 6 months a year and the points gum up hence an electronic switch provides reliability for little used cars.

Be aware though that either type of SU pump carried as a spare needs to be tested every year because lack of use causes the pump lever to stick.

[AshM]

So just before jetting off for 10 days ‘fun’ in the sunshine all my parts arrived.

Electronic pump, filter king, in-line pressure gauge plus a couple of metres of flexible fuel hose from SNGB. All very exciting.

The in-line gauge can be plumbed into the line permanently and then the dial replaced with a brass plug after use. Very neat.

I was literally unpacking parcels whilst awaiting the taxi so not yet validated but the internal diameter of the hose from SNGB looks too small.

Any views on what the diameter of hose I need for to/from filter king and to carbs?

Back to the cocktails...

Cheers
Ash

[Heuer]

If you are talking about the white nylon fuel pipe it does indeed look impossibly small to fit the unions. The trick is to heat up the unions in a vice and then push the pipe on with some strength. Do not try heating the pipe. You can put some WD40 into the pipe which may help but getting the metal parts hot (too hot to touch) is the way to go. I have even put the nylon pipe in a vice and used a mallet to tap the union in.

[AshM]

This is black, fabric-covered fuel hose.

Is it the correct part?

[Heuer]

No. It should be nylon, part C17335, if we are talking about the one from filter to SU linking pipe:

[AshM]

Thanks David. I have the wrong part.

Will get that ordered.