Cough, splutter...then nothing

[Scottishmoggy]

Hi, Duncan my series mm had a coughing fit this morning...it's happened before but only a little splutter...Today I took him to work for a meeting and then took the scenic drive back..stopped the car for a short while before driving him to his garage. it was on the drive to his garage that he coughed, splutter, mis-fired and then stopped. I tried to start him, but nothing. I then tapped the fuel pump solonoid, again nothing, tapped it again and he started...but still a bit coughy and spluttery....could it be the fuel pump or a fuel vapour problem....
Any thoughts....

Chris and Duncan 1952 Series MM

[bmcecosse]

Check the fuel pump - let it pump into a glass jar - it should pump continuously into the jar at a good rate. Any doubts - take the top off and inspect the contacts - if dirty - clean them with abrasive paper.

[Scottishmoggy]

Thanks, I'll try that...
Does anyone else have any views?

Chris and Duncan 1952 Series MM

[bigginger]

One, that happened to me - the king lead from coil to dizzy had broken inside the plug which attaches it to the coil. Very similar symptoms for a few days, then complete failure...

[Cam]

Does the fuel pump 'tick' fairly regularly when driving along and waiting in traffic? If this becomes intermittant then the car will stop due to lack of fuel. Check this first as bmcecosse says above.