Is my fuel pump going bad?

[willow140]

When my car is on, I can hear a high pitched noise coming from the rear of my car. It's loud enough that I can hear it with the radio off but It's not noticeable when the radio is up at the normal level (trying to give you an idea of how loud the noise is). I did a search but could not find a post that was completely applicable to my problem. My car hasn't had any performance problems nor has it thrown any codes since I noticed this noise. A friend threw out the idea that it might be the fuel pump since the noise was in the rear. Can anybody help me out here. I'm starting to doubt the reliability of this thing as I have already invested close to 1,500 in repairs. Could've bought a z28 with all the money I've spent on it! :mad:

[InsaneCamaro]

is it all the time or just when u start it up
i know at start up u hear the pump priming the injectors and that isnt a big deal.

[willow140]

I can hear it all the time.

[camarofan]

You can hear it with the igniton on and not running? If not, is it only when moving or also when running and sitting still?

[willow140]

I can hear the noise when the car is on. I'm pretty sure that it's present wether I'm sitting still or moving. The sound is steady too; it doesn't flucuate much.

[camarofan]

I can't think of anything other than the fuel pump that could make the noise you described. Best bet would be to get a fuel pressure test, see if there are any fluctuations to indicate some sort of leak or maybe if the pressure is not where it should be. You said there wasn't any performance losses so it could be faulty but able to keep up, but that's a rather loud noise for a fuel pump. If it is audible without moving the car, maybe have a friend or yourself slide under the car and listen, away from the wheels of course, emergency brake on.

[willow140]

thanks for the help. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[PewterBird]

Is the car hard to start? or hesitate under accell?
Fuel pressure test will be the only sure fire way to see if it is the fuel pump, but it doesn't neccesarily have to be the pump, there is a whole assembly in there will lots of parts.

According to the GM manual, there is a fuel pump flex pipe wraped around the fuel return hose and fuel vapor hose, this is connected to the fuel pump unit, and the flex pipe is there to reduce noise from the pump. If you do take out the fuel pump, check to make sure that it is secure.

[ May 20, 2003: Message edited by: PewterBird ]</p>