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MG MG Y Type - Engine cut out

I was driving at about 30 mph on a country road this week. I had covered 20 miles, the weather was not too hot, my petrol was fresh, I had tuned up the car less than 200 miles ago. Suddendly, it sputtered and the engine completely stopped 5 seconds later. Impossible to re-start it even after 10 attemps within 15 minutes. I had the car towed back home.

It really seemed like fuel starvation. However, my fuel filter (fitted between the pump and the carb) was full and I could see (and hear) the pump working at a correct rythm. The spark plugs were clean, the distributor was correctly gapped and functionning well and my coil is only 5 years old. I have vapor lock protection under the carb and all along the last 2 feet of fuel line.

2 days later, the car started up perfectly well without hesitation and within ½ second. I let it turn a while and raced the engine and everything was fine... I'm not too keen in taking it out for a long drive though.

What is your guess? I rebuilt the carb 8 years ago. Could the needle regulating the flow of fuel in the carb reserve bowl have stuck?
Gilles Bachand

Hello Gilles,
It could be many things, however I suggest you start checking the fuel system first. Most electrical faults don't repair themselves.

Start with the fuel tank - the breather hole in the cap could be blocked - or the fine mesh filter around the pickup could be blocked.

Disconnect the fuel line from the carb (leave your filter in place, don't remove it from the test), connect it with a longer hose to pump into a 5 litre fuel can, and energise the pump (not the ignition) with a hotwire. Run the pump for at least 30mins to see if you can replicate the failure to proceed. You might rock the car now and then to "slosh" the gunk in the bottom of the tank. This test is best carried out with less than 1/4 tank of fuel (9 litres).

The photo attached shows the fuel tank pickup filter - and the answer is No, this tank is no longer in service !.

While this is happening, remove the float bowl top and check for silt accumulation in the bottom of the float bowl, under the float. This can block the supply to the jet, but not usually with a sudden stop.

If all that checks out - you need to start an ignition system check from the beginning.

Did you do any electrical roadside checks/tests when the breakdown occurred ?.

Tony

A L SLATTERY

The only electrical problem that cures itself is/are an overheating coil and (maybe) condensor.
An bad engine/chassis earth connection can cause strange effects, too.

For the rest I'm with Tony on the fuel issues and would like to add that pulling the choke in case of stoppage can point to fuel issues if that has an effect on the running of the engine.
Willem van der Veer

Hi Gilles,newly manufactured coils have a reputation for cutting out when worm, and later when cooled down work ok again.i have just sorted out a Morris Minor which has been playing up for some time with that problem, i removed the five year old coil and fitted a second hand fifty year old coil and it has been fine for the last three months, maybe your car has a faulty coil?? hope this helps,Graham
Graham Sharpe

I had a similar experience, on going up hill engine spluttered and stopped, would not restart, after maybe 20 minutes restarted, on way home the same problem occurred on hills and eventually had AA tow me home, turned out I had over filled with engine oil and it got into the distributor, all cleaned, new points, drained oil and refilled to correct level, problem solved. Very embarrassing!!
Richard Verrill

First, I apologize for not following up sooner on your advice & information. My Y is more of a spring & autumn car. I don't drive it very much in summer (I switch to a 1929 Ford Roadster when it's warm), hence the absence of urgency in taking care of this little problem.

I'm happy to pronounce Tony to be the winner with his very first comment. It was indeed the filler cap that was the culprit. The space around the center screw wasn't as generous as it should have been in order to vent the tank properly. There was a bit of rust and the screw was stuck. Not wanting to force and break said screw, I simply drilled a little hole (less than 1/8 inch) in the inner spring loaded saucer/cap.

I just came back from a 55 mile drive and there was no hesitation whatsoever.

MANY THANKS for your very appreciated advice.

Gilles Bachand

This thread was discussed between 25/06/2016 and 15/08/2016

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