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MG MGB Technical - Gas Tank Internals

Greetings...
If you remove the gas tank sending unit from the tank, can you view the inside well enough to see the fuel pickup tube?
I am still chasing the "intermittent fuel delivery problem". Last Sunday on a beautiful morning drive up Pinnacle Peak, the car started to sound like it was running out of fuel. Going down the hill, no problem.
I have checked everything that everyone on this board has suggested to no avail. I would like to check the tank internals even though the tank is about 5 years old.
Thanks...Steve
Steve Brooks

I don't know the year of your MGB but here’s an experience I had...maybe it will help.
My 74 GT began running rough like it was starving for fuel. On a full tank of gas it ran OK. First thought was that the solid state SU fuel pump quit. I would normally have a spare but I dropped my spare and broke the pedestal that holds the points...I still like the old pumps with points, they can always be repaired. So I began looking on the classifieds for a used one. In the mean time I decided to have a closer look... The pump checked out ok, but it was sucking air, so I disconnected the hose from the tank and place it into a can of gas. Then bleed the air out of the line and the car started and ran fine...no air. So the problem is in the line before the pump. Turns out to be the pick up line in the tank sucking air above the fuel level. Big problem! I was not in the mood to buy a new tank or to take the gas tank to a radiator shop to have it repaired.
Solution...I had a new sending unit with the pick up line for a 77-80 in my parts box. I installed it in the tank and capped off the old line in the tank and back on the road. I hope this never happens any one else...but that's an easy fix.
Bob Ritter
Ribert Ritter

Steve. Bob has a good idea. As you know, I do not have a Mark I GT as you do. I do know that you can remove the sending units on the later tanks and look inside to see what is there. I always drop the tank when I do this as it makes life much easier to be able to turn it on the left side and look inside with a flash light. As to your problem, I think I would split my line going to the carbs and install a T fitting in the flex line. Then, I would run a fuel pressure gauge into the cockpit area where I could look at it when I began to have a problem. If it is a problem with the fuel not being picked up, you should notice a pressure drop indicating a fuel system problem behind the carbs. (Pump, pick up or venting problem.) If you do not notice a pressure drop, it would be a fuel problem ahead of he gauge. (Carb fuel bowls not venting, sticking needle valve, crud in the bowls, etc.) Les
Les Bengtson

Not a good idea to run a presurized fuel line into the cockpit area.

Fuel pressure gauges sold come with warnings not to plumb them into the interior. However, there are some that have a "fuel isolation device" that allows you to put the gauge inside safely. Of course, here we're talking about permanent gauge installation.

You could duct tape the gauge to the outside of the windshield or something temporarily.

Wayne

Wayne Pearson

Try removing the fuel filler pipe and looking inside. You can see a lot there and it's easy to do. I once had a rusty gas tank that gave me fits. The rust was large enough to float around the tank and clog the pickup, then the car would "run out of gas". After sitting for a while the rust would float away and the car would run again.
Good luck,
Gary
Gary Wiggins

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I will check them out this weekend.
Steve
Steve Brooks

steve being a arizona car you prorably have a ton of sand and rust drop the tank and clean it phosphuric acid if badly rusted and the instal fuel filter and check float bowl on carb clean and make sure the floats are not sticking
dennis

This thread was discussed between 03/04/2002 and 04/04/2002

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