No petrol delivery, pump failure or rust blockage?

[branty]

Hi. Having tinkered, cleaned and replaced filters and plugs under my out of storage R4 GTL, a new battery in place and with great anticipation I put some petrol in and turned it over. It had previously jump started when needed every now and again in storage, but now, nothing!
I disconnected the fuel line and found nothing was being pumped. So, is it the pump, which I would be surprised if it was as it had started in the past, or is it possible that rust in the tank has been dislodged and sent around the fuel line and blocked it or the pump? Why should I do from here? I tend to think that it might be the pump as not even a trace of fuel comes out on turning it over, but it it strange when this has worked in the (not recent) past.
If I need to get a pump, can this be sourced from any motor factors??
Thanks for any experienced advice..
Jon

 

[malcolm]

You could try blowing back along the line into the tank to dislodge anything trapped at the end of the line that end. It could also be the time needed to pump petrol all the way from the tank, or if on an incline maybe not enough petrol in the tank. Otherwise a crack in the pipe somewhere causing the pump to draw in air. Fuel pumps are normally quite robust so wouldn't be my first guess.

 

[André4Renaults]

If the starter spins the engine over with enthusiasm I'd suggest the following: disconnect the pipe that runs from the tank to the pump and, using a short length of petrol spec. pipe, connect the input of the pump to a 5 litre plastic container of petrol, with petrol in it. Now start the car and if it runs happily you'll know the pump's working OK and that the blockage or problem is probably in the tank or the pipe from it to the pump. If it does NOT start the pump may be at fault.

It goes without saying, but just be careful when handling petrol & try to avoid spilling it, particularly on hot areas of the engine and exhaust or on electrical items.

 

[Piet]

I would disconnect the hose to the carb float bowl inlet, and with that or a similar tube and a small funnel, or a handy syringe, squirt some petrol into the float bowl before trying anything. Ideally I would also take the air filter top cover off and squirt an aerosol off "Aerostart" (or whatever the local name for an aerosol can of ether is in the UK...) down the carb throat while turning over on the starter. Make sure you haven't spilt any petrol over the starter while filling the carb... If you pull thathose off its worth checking the tiny inline tubular fuel filter gauze hidden in the inlet fitting to the float bowl.

If you get a bit of fuel in the float bowl, the car will run (unless another problem like points stuck closed etc). If it runs it will hopefully have enough suction and endurance in the fuel pump at a fast tickover to hopefully pull fuel through much better than just cranking on the starter motor. If it runs and dtops, definitely the fuel pump or upstream of it.