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Loud Electric Fuel Pump


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Hello all,

I have no mechanical knowledge!

I recently inherited a TR6 from a family member who passed away. The car hadn't been driven for about 2 years. I have taken it out on the road a couple of times but on the last occasion it lost power and didn't want to do much more than 10 mph before it came to a halt. The fuel pump was making a loud whining noise. After around 45 minutes of sitting waiting for a vehicle rescue I tried to start the car up and give it another go. Although the fuel pump still quite noisy it was managing to get along with reasonable acceleration and got me home.  Does anyone out there know whether it's a case of brand new fuel pump or whether it could be repaired or refurbished, cleaned out or fix whatever it is that goes wrong with them. I don't have mechanical knowledge and wouldn't be doing the repair but would just like to hear any advise you folks could share as I'm keen to learn and this car is legacy I hope to continue and keep going after Dad buying it from new 47 years ago.

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Congratulations on becoming the new custodian of your Dad's TR. You'll find old cars are no where as reliable as modern cars, especially if they are infrequently driven.

Simple things first- I'd start by making sure the fuel is fresh and the tank vents work. If your car's a PI a noisy fuel pump could be one that's cavitating as it's starved of fuel .

See if your Dad had a receipt or car history file- most of us do these days. It will tell you what has been done to the car recently. Maybe you might also need a fuel filter change. 

If you're not mechanically inclined it might be worth getting a  full  service at a TR specialist.

 

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Hello Nicky,

welcome to the TR world. My advice is to get some basic understanding of the fuel system and the TR; start reading and visiting meetings. 

Use google for specific jobs, even for a search on here (works better).

In this case, I would replace the fuel and suction filter first. Old fuel is degraded. Fill up with at least 10 liters of fresh premium grade, preferably ethanol free.

Waldi

 

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Hi Nicky,

welcome to our forum, and congratulations on being the new family TR6 custodian.

You will have lots of questions, ask them here, Contact your local Group, (Tell us where abouts you are, and we can guide you)and whilst  difficult now,  get along to your local TR Register group when allowed,

Lots of help and advice from like minded folk.

John.

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Welcome Nicky!

the Tr6 can be totally reliable once sorted and if used regularly, i bought mine in 2012 and it has never let me down since

on the fuel pump it usually lives in the boot, unless modified which a lot are, so perhaps take a couple of photos and post them here so we can advise more appropriately

steve

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Where abouts are you? I’m sure someone would be willing to take a quick look. One thing though do not take it to a ‘usual’ garage because...

1. They will not have a clue

2. You will get ripped off
 

dave

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Welcome Nicky.

Congrats on owning a TR6.

As asked before where about's are you.  The TR Register has many groups around the UK and I;m sure somebody would come out to give it a quick look.

Have a look here to see where your local group would be     Here

If you have a TR6 PI then the fuel pump is often noisy, but doesn't need to be.

If it has carbs then the pump should be silent.

Old petrol doesn't work well - either drain and replace or top up with the best you can find.

There are TR specialist garages that will not skin you. Again your local group would know best.

If you are in or around West London there is Enginity on Acton, 

Crown Classics in Twickenham

Revington in Somerset

Rees Bros in Aldershot

TRGB in Huntingdon

The list goes on.

Good luck and enjoy a beauty of a car.

Roger

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8 hours ago, 19nicky99 said:

Hello all,

I have no mechanical knowledge!

I recently inherited a TR6 from a family member who passed away. The car hadn't been driven for about 2 years. I have taken it out on the road a couple of times but on the last occasion it lost power and didn't want to do much more than 10 mph before it came to a halt. The fuel pump was making a loud whining noise. After around 45 minutes of sitting waiting for a vehicle rescue I tried to start the car up and give it another go. Although the fuel pump still quite noisy it was managing to get along with reasonable acceleration and got me home.  Does anyone out there know whether it's a case of brand new fuel pump or whether it could be repaired or refurbished, cleaned out or fix whatever it is that goes wrong with them. I don't have mechanical knowledge and wouldn't be doing the repair but would just like to hear any advise you folks could share as I'm keen to learn and this car is legacy I hope to continue and keep going after Dad buying it from new 47 years ago.

Hi Nicky,

Welcome to the TR world.  For us to give accurate info, we need to know where you are in the UK. Please advise?

Bruce.

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53 minutes ago, CP26309 said:

Epsom, Surrey ? ;)

I’m just down the road in Chertsey, if it wasnt for lockdown i’d come round and help!

steve

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I bought a TR6 that had not been used much for a while - fuel filter disintegrated and took pump out. Changing the fuel filter is sound advice. If there is a problem with the pump it will get hot and cause the fuel to vapourise and lead to loss of power. 

I think that anyone who has a TR6 is an expert on fuel pumps..... getting a local owner to have a quick look is also sound advice.

TBH the fuel pump is the dodgiest part on these cars - get that sorted and you will have a fabulous/fun car.

The most common "upgrade" is the Bosch fuel pump - have a look in the boot and you may see something like the enclosed picture. Keep posting - someone here will sort you out.

IMG_20200812_160053_1.jpg

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Nicky - also worth checking that the bottom of the fuel tank isn't full of crud and rust flakes which could be partially blocking the fuel outlet.

Look down the fuel filler with a torch but make sure no sparking from it!

Cheers Rich

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On 2/20/2021 at 10:16 AM, RogerH said:

 

Old petrol doesn't work well - either drain and replace or top up with the best you can find.

 

To be honnest this is kind of legend isnt it? Or may be it applies to petrol in the tank for 20 years. On my own experience old fuel has never been the cause of problems except once on a motorbike parked for 5 years and carbs were  stuck with kind of glue

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3 hours ago, Jctr6EFI72 said:

To be honest this is kind of legend isnt it? Or may be it applies to petrol in the tank for 20 years. On my own experience old fuel has never been the cause of problems except once on a motorbike parked for 5 years and carbs were  stuck with kind of glue

In theory, it is a real problem (can you have a real theoretical problem !!:blink:)  Given time it will happen.

On my TR4 that has had a couple of gallons in the tank being topped up each spring with another gallon (it only does about 5 miles per year) it has become more and more problematic to start. 2019 was a pig and 2020 I had to drain the tank and put three (yes 3) whole gallons back in and topped the carb float chamber with NEW superduper ESSO Explosive grade fuel. It started on the button.

 

There have been many anecdotes of bad performance with fuel used from the previous summer.

The problem is certainly legendary but not fantasy.

Roger 

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20 minutes ago, RogerH said:

In theory, it is a real problem (can you have a real theoretical problem !!:blink:)  Given time it will happen.

On my TR4 that has had a couple of gallons in the tank being topped up each spring with another gallon (it only does about 5 miles per year) it has become more and more problematic to start. 2019 was a pig and 2020 I had to drain the tank and put three (yes 3) whole gallons back in and topped the carb float chamber with NEW superduper ESSO Explosive grade fuel. It started on the button.

 

There have been many anecdotes of bad performance with fuel used from the previous summer.

The problem is certainly legendary but not fantasy.

Roger 

My tank has about 2/3 gallons of fuel probably well over a year old, and has gone yellow and greasy. About to fit new fuel pump and pipework, so what do you do about this old Fuel? Will the local refuse dumps take it like with brake fluid and oil?

Colin.

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Hi Colin,

many council tips have oil reclaim tanks that are not manned. I'm sure the odd gallon of petrol in the muck they get would not do any harm.

Or, have you got a lawn mower - mix 50/50 with good fuel and mow away,

Or, if you have another petrol car add 1/2 gallon of the old fuel into a tank of good fuel.

Or, put it into a plastic bucket and leave out in the sun - it will evaporate away but don;t let Greta find you.

 

Roger 

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4 hours ago, RogerH said:

Or, put it into a plastic bucket and leave out in the sun - it will evaporate away but don;t let Greta find you.

 

Roger 

Or a match.... that’s even quicker!

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23 hours ago, RogerH said:

Hi Colin,

many council tips have oil reclaim tanks that are not manned. I'm sure the odd gallon of petrol in the muck they get would not do any harm.

Or, have you got a lawn mower - mix 50/50 with good fuel and mow away,

Or, if you have another petrol car add 1/2 gallon of the old fuel into a tank of good fuel.

Or, put it into a plastic bucket and leave out in the sun - it will evaporate away but don;t let Greta find you.

 

Roger 

I`ll go for ................................"if you have another petrol car add 1/2 gallon of the old fuel into a tank of good fuel".

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