MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - HS4 leaking at the fuel feed to the jet

Well, I've had to to this blasted repair to every previous HS4 equipped lbc I've had so why not on the MGA as well.
I was fitting a new throttle cable today and while fiddling with the linkage from underneath I obviously disturbed the feed tube from the bottom of the float chamber to the jet and now it's pissing fuel from the brass nut. So I pulled the rear carb off and pulled the tube out. The rubber washer looks a little tatty and I don't see the little metal washer that sits on the end of the tube. Maybe it fell off when I pulled the tub out.
Anyway, this repair usually takes me several attempts to get it to seal properly.
Can anyone give me any advice on how to fit it together right the first time?

Thanks!
R emgeeaa

HS4, on an MGA? You had to change the intake manifold to do that. Or is this a complete MGB engine, maybe.
Anyway, the plastic tube is supposed to be part of the jet assembly, so if you broke it you get to buy a new jet assembly. Unless of course you are the creative type and figure out how it is supposed to be assembled. Been a long time since I repaired one of those on the roadside, for a fiend, during a rally. I seem to recall it involved a tiny piece of thin wall brass tube on the inside to prevent the hose from collapsing, and a small eyelet on the outside that serves as a hose clamp. It is supposed to be a once only assembly, but sometimes if you can find all of the pieces you can put it back together.
Barney Gaylord

I assumed it was the other end of the tube, to the float chamber that is referred to.

One thing I have found is that old o-rings, or the remains of old o-rings, get stuck in the float bowl and can cause problems with both fuel flow and sealing. It can be quite tricky to see and remove the old bits of rubber, but if you have the float bowl off the car it should be no problem.
N McGurk

Sorry, I have an early 3 main 1800 in my '60 MGA.
R emgeeaa

Be certain all the old pieces are removed from the float bowl hole, and the small brass stiffener tube is inside the end of the plastic tube. Fit the nut, metal washer, rubber washer on the tube, and push back against the spring covering so that the plastic tube sticks out about 1/4" beyond the rubber washer. Stick it in by pushing on the plastic jet tube, whilst holding the spring back, tighten the nut. If you attempt to push the whole mess in without holding the spring back, the washers slide to or off of the end of the tube, giving your leaks.

FRM
FR Millmore

Thanks all, so could I use any metal washer and rubber washer that I find at home depot? I hate having to buy a whole new jet just for those pieces. There aren't many miles on the jets in this car.
R emgeeaa

"Rubber" washer must be fuel proof. Originally it was like a very short section of tube, but an O ring should work. Metal washer just acts as a bearing so you can tighten the nut against the rubber without destroying it. All this should fit freely into the hole. It acts as a compression gland to retain and seal the plastic tube.

FRM
FR Millmore

Well. I went with a new jet which had the proper washers with it. So it's all workng again with no leaks. Now if I could just get the needle on my speedo to work...!
Thanks all for the help.
R emgeeaa

This thread was discussed between 12/02/2012 and 14/02/2012

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.