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MG ZR
LBMEFM - 30/8/11 at 06:44 AM

Not being familier with MG ZR's or modern cars come to that, my sons ZR run out of petrol today, he calls me to say it will not start now he has put some in. Any suggestions, a mate told him there is a cut off switch that needs re setting. I don't know, I will have a look at it this evening, I will check the usual, spark-fuel to the engine etc but failing that I will be stumped. Any suggestions very welcome. Barry

big_wasa - 30/8/11 at 06:52 AM

Its common to need to stick more than just 5l in to get started again. Also a good chance of the fuel filter being now full of crap.

mrwibble - 30/8/11 at 07:10 AM

when i ran out of fuel in my focus, i had to turn over the engine for ages, as i'd sucked so much air into the fuel lines.

big_wasa - 30/8/11 at 07:15 AM

just turning the ignition on and of a few times should prime the fuel rail with out the need to keep winding it over.

MikeRJ - 30/8/11 at 07:36 AM

quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa
Its common to need to stick more than just 5l in to get started again. Also a good chance of the fuel filter being now full of crap.


This is very likely the problem if he has only put a gallon into it. The in-tank pumps often won't prime from a dry state unless mostly submerged.

The fuel pump cut off switch is an inertia switch designed to be activated in an accident, it shouldn't switch the pump off just because you ran out of fuel (though this doesn't do the pump any good at all).

mrwibble - 30/8/11 at 08:13 AM

good points. can u hear the pump prime?

britishtrident - 30/8/11 at 08:56 AM

Not all later Rovers have a fuel return line so can take while to prime after running dry, a squirt of Eeezistart helps.

The fuel cut off reset is located in the back of the centre consol, on the passenger side below radio & heater controls.

[Edited on 30/8/11 by britishtrident]

LBMEFM - 30/8/11 at 08:06 PM

Cheers lads for the advice, just got back, the cut off switch on his is under the bonnet. I put more petrol in, back flushed the filter with the air line, turned the ignition off and on, and re-set the cut off switch and it still would not start. Then I towed started it as the battery was getting tired and it eventually fired up and chucked out loads of rubbish out of the exhaust and now runs fine. I think it was a combination of all the things you mentioned so once again thanks for the advice. Regards Barry