Nosiy Fue

[Rybo]

I have 97 wagon that was "low on fuel" and the fuel pump has a noisy hum that wont go away even after putting plenty of gas in.

The car never ran out of gas. I have a Haynes manual but haven't looked at it.

Thx ahead of time for any ideas or info.

I did "search" but diffculty finding related info.

Rybo

[theoldwizard]

Noisy fuel pump usually means that it is going to die soon !

[Rybo]

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

Noisy fuel pump usually means that it is going to die soon !

Thx Wiz, as that is my intuition also, however, my mechanic friend says not to be so quick to make that assumption, unless I have some reason to dive into replacing it immediately.

It is true that I only read the reference to fuel pumps burning out from low gas in regards to the one email concerning a F350 pku.

I could'n t get the pump/semding unit inner ring loose from the outer ring attachhed to gas tank cause so crusty and rusty.

So my mechanic friend with some special tools help me to get it loose but only a enough to break loose, so I can do the job later myself, if, after a few days it does go bad, sstops making noise, or whatever and I want to risk getting rust and dirt into my gas tank.

So, no pressing reasons ---except for annoying whine--- for me to jump into opening this sucker possibly getting fuel system clogged with rusty metal flakes.

Rybo

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by Rybo

Thx Wiz, as that is my intuition also, however, my mechanic friend says not to be so quick to make that assumption, unless I have some reason to dive into replacing it immediately.

True enough. But you know it is not going to get better.

I could'n t get the pump/semding unit inner ring loose from the outer ring attachhed to gas tank cause so crusty and rusty.

That is unusual. Being mounted on the top of the tank, the outer ring is typically not that "crusty" and the tank (and ring) are galvanized.

BTW, when was the last time you changed your fuel filter ?

[Rybo]

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

True enough. But you know it is not going to get better. That is unusual. Being mounted on the top of the tank, the outer ring is typically not that "crusty" and the tank (and ring) are galvanized.
BTW, when was the last time you changed your fuel filter ?

Hi Wiz. Both rings may have been galvanized but there is no way you could tell that now. The flakey rust is good and crusty.

The tank is plastic, so, i'm curious as to how the outer ring is attached / bonded to it. Maybe rivets and or glue.

There does appear to be a rubber gasket, but I forget now if it was between outer ring and tank or inner ring and outer ring.

Just bought this car used few weeks ago and not really had much chance to drive it yet, cause it has been in shop twice for belts, water pump, tensioners, brakes and cylinders, brake lines, motor/trany mount, trany filter.

Some pitting on another brake line but ok for now. This cars title is NY so no telling how long it was there. iI noticed some rust on bottom when I bought it but once I got it on rack I realized a little worse than I realised tho still not god awful tho.

The other lower motor mount is also getting worn.

I could see the rubber bushings on top of struts looked minor dry rotting but I was tired of shopping for a car that i liked.

This one was close to home( 15 miles ), ran, drove and looked great.

This fuel pump whine thing just putting me in a "oh just shoot me!" mentality. Ha!

Not too bad I suppose. $3000. dollar vehicle to date, not including the 400+ taxes. The next closet alternative I was looking at was same year Saturn wagon that was 200 miles away.

There was a nice pontiac vibe 2004, 5,500. 120,000 miles, manual 6-speed, sun-roof, but it would have taken most of my savings and I felt it was too nice for my needs.

At worst, I *may* have spent $300 too much for the car. That is not the end of my life. Ha. Just dying to drive this car, but have had to cancel my plans to take it on my annual trip to the coast. :--(

Thx for your consideration.

Rybo