Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Possible Fuel pump issue ?

Happy New Year to everyone. Any guidance/help greatly appreciated on this irritating issue. I have an 02 plate 4/4 with a 1.8 Zetec and to date has been running no problem. However, just before Christmas I thought I would run her up, (currently sitting snug and warm in a garage), and lo and behold she would not fire. I have checked all fuses and they are fine. So, feeling confident that the relay would be the issue I tracked down a new Bosch replacement and quickly replaced the old one this morning. You guessed it - no joy.

I should explain at this point I am not as knowledgable as I would like on all things mechanical, and electrics are, to me, a “dark art” ! However, my brain is telling me that the fuel pump is the next thing to check. Now, when I turn on the ignition I hear the relay “double click” but no sound of a pump. To be honest I am not sure I could ever hear it anyway.

So, that is a long winded way to ask for advice. Where is the fuel “pipe” in the engine bay on a1.8 Zetec so I can see if the pump is working ? (Just thinking if I can disconnect to see if fuel is being sent ?.) Is the fuel pump in the tank, and if so how does one get at it for replacement etc. Any advice/opinions are always welcome and appreciated.

Chris

Hi Chris all the best for the New Year - I’m not familiar with Zetec 1800 but am with my cars below.

On both I can hear the pump running for a couple of seconds after turning the ignition on, I am as deaf as it gets to give you an idea.

If you locate the fuel injection rail on the engine there will be a connection you can slacken to see if fuel is getting to the unit. Be extremely careful here though incase the thing starts up on you and you end up in a bad position.

Good luck

Extremely kind - thanks. I will see if I can locate said fuel rail. Stoke Fleming eh ? Had an unfortunate incident just outside the village many years ago my MG Midget and I met an Austin 1800 pulling out of the lane that goes down to D’mouth Castle. As a young Midshipman at the college I was suddenly the proud owner of a very “written-off” MG and yet Her Majesty’s Navy saw fit to suspect me of a ”irresponsible driving” until the owner of the 1800 admitted to that he had pulled out in front of me !

Check the electrical connections to the fuel pump. I had an intermittent on my '93 Zetec due to a loose Lucar connector.

Ah, the old "The Midshipman is guilty until proven innocent" issue. Also applies to junior managers in commerce and technology and to many others no doubt.

Good luck with the car problem.

Have you checked the immobiliser is working as it should? Sorry don't know the details on a 2002 car.

Bad luck there - an Officer owned our neighbouring house and he let it out to other Officers serving at BRNC so we got to know some of them well.
The abiding memory of how any minor civilian indiscretion in civvy time was leapt upon in draconian fashion by HMS to what seemed crazy to us.

They were lovely people and one in particular stands out John Rodley who was No2 on Broadsword in San Carlos when they took a bomb on the helideck fortunately the Argies got the fusing heights wrong but he said it concentrated the mind.
The Entenards were coming in below mast height and their bravery was never in doubt. He came back pure grey top and he was still fairly young.

There is an inertia switch under the bonnet, usually attached to the bulkhead on the nearside. It is a small black box with a 'button'. Its job is to cut power to the fuel pump in the event of an accident. Best to check if the button has popped and needs resetting. It is a useful place to check for power to the pump, when you first turn the ignition switch to 'ignition' position, you should see 12 volts on the terminals of the switch, the 12 volts will disappear after a few seconds if the engine has not started..

Thanks Mike, good of you to get back to me. I did find and check the fuel and all is working as it should. (If only it had been that simple !). I am pretty sure now that it is the pump but will find out for sure next week. If it is, rather now than later in the year when halfway up the Stelvio !

Thank you Graham - sound advice and will be getting into it a bit more after the weekend.

Sounds a little like my problem, but a 2018 GDI Plus4.

https://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/827339/1

Good look! There is also an advice how to check the fuelpump-ECU…

Greets René