Midget 1500 Fuel Starvation

[DanO1912]

When I've driven my '77 Midget for maybe 10 minutes at 40-45 mph it will start to sputter as if it is running out of gas.
I know there's gas in the tank. By pumping the gas pedal and slowing down I can get the car running again.

I've replaced the fuel filter however the problem persists. The car has an electronic fuel pump.

THe gas tank appears to be original, so I'm wondering if maybe there's some dirt that occasionally clogs the fuel lines.


Thanks,

[boredpilot]

If you have the time I would strib your carbs float chambers clean and refit, if there is dirt it will be in there.

[Rovertron]

Sounds to me that your fuel pump is giving you grief. I had the same trouble with my P6, it had nothing to do with heat, fans etc, etc, the pump was worn and not enough fuel was getting through, as such it was also evapourating in situ.

Bascially, the pump wears, fuel can either not be pumped through as effectively as the impeller/diapragam wears or the inlet valve wears allowing for back feed.

Basically, with any fuel starvation look to the pump first. You mention it's electric, check the contacts and start from there.

[Rovertron]

Sounds to me that your fuel pump is giving you grief. I had the same trouble with my P6, it had nothing to do with heat, fans etc, etc, the pump was worn and not enough fuel was getting through, as such it was also evapourating in situ.

Bascially, the pump wears, fuel can either not be pumped through as effectively as the impeller/diapragam wears or the inlet valve wears allowing for back feed.

Basically, with any fuel starvation look to the pump first. You mention it's electric, check the contacts and start from there.

[DanO1912]

The 1500 uses a mechanical fuel pump.

Do you think it a simple solution might be to replace the elctronic fuel pump with a new OEM mechanical fuel pump. I don't know why the previous owner installed the electronic pump anyway.

The mechanical pumps are inexpensive. Or am I better off with using a new elctronic fuel pump?

[twin plenum]

Sounds to me as if you have an air leak, this could be a split diaphram in the pump or a tiny rust hole in the fuel pipe from the tank. If it was me I would fit a new mechanical pump, remove the electric one and check all the fuel pipes.

[nickwilcock]

I had this problem with my 1970 Midget 30 years ago. After having the electric fuel pump changed, the problem was still there...

In the end I discovered that it was down to poor fuel tank ventilation because I was using an after market locking filler cap. There was such a low pressure in the tank that the pump couldn't cope - but after stopping for a few minutes the pressure would equalise and the car would start and run quite happily!