MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

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 MG Y Type - Get yourself out of this one

I wondered if we could swap tips on how to extricate oneself from tricky breakdowns.
My first tip should be entitled 'The Useful Plastic Tube'. Recently motoring along the M4 in my wife's 1960 105e Anglia, the sweetly purring engine suddenly coughed and died. I soon discovered that the normally reliable petrol pump had decided that 150 thousand miles were enough. Stopping on the hard shoulder was a new experience for me,and one to be avoided. Some drivers have a strange sense of humour! Remembering I had a length of plastic tube in the boot I was able to suck fuel up through the pumps disconnected feed pipe,and empty the column of petrol into the carburettor float chamber. In this way and 3 mouthfuls later we managed to get to a service area. My breath was for a while a bit inflammable, but we were safe from lunatics.
My other tip was in a rather unusual situation when many years ago the YA, when towing a caravan up the Col de Brouis,the fuel suddenly vaporised in the pump bringing us to a very inconvenient halt,fortunately I did have some water which I pored over the pump,and this soon restored it to working order.[I left the bonnet open for the remaining climb]. However I was faced with restarting the outfit on a steep gradient, but thats another story - how about yours?
Bryan

Bryan - see my article about permanently installing a back up fuel pump at: http://www.mgexperience.net/article/backup-fuel-pump.html
A cheap, low pressure Facet pump mounted back by the fuel tank, a single pole, double throw switch and a coupe of pieces of fuel hose and all you have to do if the fuel pump quits (even SU pumps have a finite lietime and I think your exceeded its) is flip a switch - you don't even need topull to the side of the road. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Thanks David your advice is well worth considering. The problem with the Anglia was the rod coupling the diaphragm and rocker on the cam driven pump had worn its end off. The YA pump hadn't given up it was just that we had been climbing for more than an hour in temperatures of over 30 deg C mostly in first and second gear, and nearing 800 metres altitude the fuel in the line and pump just boiled.
Bryan

I had a simple break down once, the exhaust pipe broke under the car due to being rotten. ( This was many years ago when younger and broke, with a mortgage,family,etc.) I had to tie the pipes up to stop them dragging on the road, and I needed a bit of wire. So I use my pliers and went to the wire fence, and cut the bottom run. Little did I realise how they are tensioned, but I soon found out. There was a huge TWANG and the two halves of the wires shot off in opposite directions. I found one end, and cut enough to hang the pipes on until I got home. I felt rather guilty about damaging the farmers fence.

That began the carrying of bits 'just in case'. I now carry wire, half-shaft, spares water pump, fuel pump, rocker gasket, water, oil, WD40, tools, inner tube and tyre levers as well as the spare, foot pump, tow rope, plugs, leads, dist cap ( no points as I have electronic ignition,) fan belt, radweld, head gasket, set of water hoses, a reflective triangle, set of bulbs, coins for parking meters and public phones, and some swafega.

NC.

P.S. AND I am in Green Flag.......( since it was NBRC in 1972)
Neil Cairns

Are you throwing all caution to the wind Neil-what about exhuast bandage?
Bryan

No bandage, but I do have brake fluid, a set of brake seals, a torch, two maps of the UK, a handbook, and a rug as well.

NC.
Neil Cairns

My breakdown kit is much simpler
In the UK, my RAC card (with Recovery),
In the US, my AAA card (with Recovery),
In both countries, a cell (mobile) phone, and
In both countries, 2 or 3 major credit cards!!
Call me lazy if you like!

Paul
Paul Barrow

I have a Swiss Army knife with an implement for getting stones out of horses hooves, (or boy scouts out of girl guides.
Michael Nicholson

In addition to the almost mirror immage of Neil's spares kit, I find that the one thing that gets me out of more trouble than anything is a small can of LIGHTER FLUID. You can guarantee that if the bonnet has to be lifted at the side of the road, that I will be wearing a good pair of trousers or a white shirt and guess where the first stray drop of oil or grease goes? Not that it worries me, but the passenger, yes, Mrs Herkes, is not amused.
The Lighter Fluid has avoided many otherwise stressful moments and will clean off almost any marking without leaving a trace.Result-happy motoring!
Keith D Herkes

This page is related to the content of this thread: http://www.mgnuts.com/fixes/
Steve Simmons

My wife has a pair of fish net stockings a suspender belt (gaiter belt) and a couple of other thinks to ensure that she gets attention of passing motorists!!

Paul
Paul Barrow

Here is a tip to bring a touch of luxury when working under the Y Type by making a pillow from a discarded 3ltr red wine box liner [ I take a little red wine for medicinal reasons you understand ]. Having ensured it fully drained I semi inflate it and use it as a wipe clean pillow. I believe a white wine liner will do for those with an un descerning palate.
Bryan

Paul,
The stockings and suspender belt are a good idea, should we sell them in the Y Register regalia?
Ted
Ted Gardner

Paul - "My wife has a pair of fish net stockings a suspender belt (gaiter belt) and a couple of other thinks to ensure that she gets attention of passing motorists!!"
Yes, but who wears them to get the most attention ;)
David DuBois

This thread was discussed between 26/09/2007 and 16/10/2007

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now