Hey to all! I'm in the midst of upgrading my 1968 Mk II and ran across some problems in the boot when trying to work on the tail-light wiring.. the gas tank shifted and the fuel ling ripped off. It has since been replaced along with the gas , but of course now it does not start. It sounds like it wants to turn over but does not. Do I need to put some gasoline into the carb as well? Or would there be a problem with air in the system (not sure if that applies to gas lines as it does to hydraulic lines). Help!!! I need to get the little guy started up soon, otherwise it's going to be towed (can't let that happen!)

 

I have a MK4, with a 1257 metro that has the standard mechanical pump on the back of the block. If the car is on a level surface and the tank over half full and I disconnect the tank side fuel line at the pump the fuel will free flow out because that inlet is below the level of the fuel in the tank. The Haynes manual even warns about this saying you should jack the front of the car to work on the pump. A full tank should essentially make the mechanical pump self priming. Things are different if you have gone to an electric pump however.

Do you get such flow if you disconnect the line at the tank side of the pump?

and are you sure fuel is coming out the other side of the pump and getting to the carb?

 

Are you sure you did not bend the fuel nipple on the tank? I take it you meant to say fuel LINE ripped off??

 

If da juice don't flow as I described, this would be a good place to start.....

how long has it been since this ran however???? Is it possible that the carb is all gummed up cuz the fuel turned to varnish?

 

Hey Capt Bj and Hotel Calif, I'm going to head outside now and investigate all of the issues. I believe the car still has a mechanical pump. I bought it second hand. This car use to be a racer, but was converted back to a normal street driver. To that extent, would either of you believe it to have an electrical pump? Once I've figured out the nitty gritty, I'll comment on what I've found. You were correct Cali in assuming the "line" ripped off. It last ran in the beginning of August.

 

Just follow the fuel line off the carb. The pump would be mounted on the back of the motor.Electrics can be mounted almost anywhere. Usually on the rear subframe. From what you describe I woild almost bet you have damaged the metal tube coming out of the tank.

 

Most racing conversions I've seen, one of the first things done was switch to an electric pump.....if the pump don't work

My mech looks like this and is on the firewall side of the block towards the rad' end. The red tubes in the pic is where the fuel lines connect in and out.
http://www.minisport.com/classic-min...l-product.html

There's a zillion electrics...and where they got put??? boot, fire wall, floor of pass' compartment and rerouted fuel lines too....

If you find yourself in need of a mech one...I have a new one in the box....

 

The metal tube coming out of the tank is actually in great shape! No damage to the tank, just the ripped line. The new line is all good to go. When I had put more gas in it, it was one of those 2 gallon jugs. So there may not be enough fuel getting into the carb or the pump. I wasn't able to check earlier; got sidetracked taking care of other things in the car. If fuel does come out of the hose leading to the pump, would I need to add gas to the carb if none is coming out of it?

 

2 gal should be enuf.... The fuel system in a Mini with a carb system ain't all that tight. Unlike an injected system it ain't pressurized all the time. Least I don't think so .... mine ain't. A few cranks on the mechanical pump gets things flowing up to the carb. If you have fuel into the pump but nothing at the carb...sounds like a bad pump.

so

disconnect the line at the carb and crank (outside and be ready to control spray) if you have gas there, you need to clean the varnished fuel out of the carb....no gas there sounds like a bad pump

(be VERY careful testing here...it is implicit that you are gonna spill some gas.... are you working in your garage...is your furnace or HW heater in your garage? DANGER WILL ROBINSON. It don't take many gas fumes to make a big BOOM,,,,,:impatient )

 

HAHA, roger that on the boom. No, no garage. I'm in a townhouse in the open outside air. I just checked the portable gas jug that I "filled" the car with - LOL, NOT even 2 gallons. That thing is only 1! Sooooo, I am on my way up to the gas station to fill 2 more, a 2 gallon and another 1. you'd think we would invest in one 10 gallon instead of a bunchh of little 1's and 2's - but anyways. It IS a mechanical pump too. Looks exactly like the one that you (BJ) have. Hopefully, all is good and once I fill up more, then it will just turn over. That would save a heap of trouble. Got the county sticker too! So one headache down, one to go. :0)

 

I would pull the fuel line off of the carb put some sort of catch under it and have someone turn the ignition to see if your getting fuel to your carb. You said the engine does not want to turn over. What exactely does it do when you turn the key? It may be possible that you don't have a fuel problem but an electrical problem.

 

Yep - I decided 'wants to turn over' was really 'wants to catch' ... but if it isn't actually cranking your problem isn't fuel supply. Ya gots to get it to turn over first and that's either electrical or the starter.

Mine will fire up by the second cyl if all else is well. No 'cranking' unless cold or been sitting for more than a couple of weeks.

 

GREAT NEWS!!!! Went to the gas station and grabbed 3 more gallons like I mentioned and put it in the tank. Went to crank it - usual "wanting to start, but not" noise occurred. So opened the bonnet; moved the throttle lever a little to hopefully get more gas into the carb (didn't even mess with the carb until I exhausted all other options); went back into the car to start it up, after pulling on the throttle cable and VVVRRRRrrrrrrrmmmmmmmm!! Started like a champ :0) Took the car for a quick spin around the block - MAN I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!

Thank you for all of the inputs, they were a big help (I at least know now that my fuel pump is defenitely mechanical. When I'm done fine tuning the rest, I will post some pics! Cheers~ Janelle (not bad for a woman, eh? lol)

 

Great?

Had you pulled the choke at all?

Assuming you have SU carb(s) this info from the original owner's manual and confirmed in the SU book I have is worth remembering.

Except in extremely cold conditions, full choke should not be required.

And

If properly adjusted, the first 1/3 of the choke travel engages 'fast idle' and has little or nothing to do with the mixture.

In the summer I never need more than about 1/4 pull.

And btw - are you running premium? I always do - that's what the owner's manual called for (by the octane # after converting to US system) If I try to run just mid-grade, muchless reguler, the car has fits.