Fuel pump constantly whiring!
Discussion
Stopped in traffic on the way back from Bruntingthorpe on Sunday and noticed a noise coming from under the car, sounding very similar to the noise when the ignition is first turned on. Got out to investigate and sure enough it is the fuel pump making the noise. Think that is right but am a bit of a mechanical numpty, but in laymans terms it is the motor on the fuel line that is located behind the left rear wheel. PS. It's a Chim 400 1998.
Basically the symptoms are: -
1). Turn the key in the ignition and fuel pump primes/whirs for a few seconds and then stops as it should do
2). Engine fires up OK as normal
3). When engine is running the fuel pump starts again making much the same noise as when it is priming itself. Basically the motor is running constantly which doesn't sound right to me.
Engine is still running fine but I am sure that this is not a good sign. So the questions I have are basically.
Q. Does anyone know what could cause this and how I can stop/fix it?
Q. Will it do any harm if I keep using the car while it is doing this before I get a chance to fix it?
As usual any help would be greatly appreciated.
Andy.
Basically the symptoms are: -
1). Turn the key in the ignition and fuel pump primes/whirs for a few seconds and then stops as it should do
2). Engine fires up OK as normal
3). When engine is running the fuel pump starts again making much the same noise as when it is priming itself. Basically the motor is running constantly which doesn't sound right to me.
Engine is still running fine but I am sure that this is not a good sign. So the questions I have are basically.
Q. Does anyone know what could cause this and how I can stop/fix it?
Q. Will it do any harm if I keep using the car while it is doing this before I get a chance to fix it?
As usual any help would be greatly appreciated.
Andy.
That would make sense on Saturday as it was roasting at Bruntingthorpe and it did get a couple of duns down the run way which was fun.
However I tried it again the other evening (still reasonably warm but not too extreme) and it was still doing the same thing. Would also understand if it could be water getting in but it has been so dry recently.
Just worried that if it keep going the motor may burn out, or something else related.
However I tried it again the other evening (still reasonably warm but not too extreme) and it was still doing the same thing. Would also understand if it could be water getting in but it has been so dry recently.
Just worried that if it keep going the motor may burn out, or something else related.
If the pump stops there will be no fuel and the engine will die PDQ. The pump effectively stays on while the engine is running to maintain a constant fuel pressure. The stratup abd stop is to pressurise the system prior to starting so that the engine will fire quickly without having to wait for the pump.
If it goes noisy, then it is either hot and it is certainly hot currently, about to die and meet its maker or the car has got quieter and you have just noticed it.
I would leave it for now as they are not cheap to replace, especially when it is probably OK.
If it goes noisy, then it is either hot and it is certainly hot currently, about to die and meet its maker or the car has got quieter and you have just noticed it.
I would leave it for now as they are not cheap to replace, especially when it is probably OK.
tamago said:
this has happened to me before. never caused me any concern though. it only happens when the car is restarted after it is really hot.
But once it cools down, the whirring disappears...
i think it is one of those things u have to live with...??!!
Thank you all ... I just noticed a sound like this on mine this lunchtime (exacerbated, I think, by it being the first time with the hood up) and was worried; I have only had the car 5 days so am still getting used to some of its idiosyncracies!
Glad your mind is at rest, a lot of fuel injection pumps tend to whine some more than others in fact Ford started putting the pump INSIDE the tank to quiet them down!! oh and my fuel pump started whining on my XR4i------ 17years ago 
still going strong
Doesn't TVR look to Bosch for things like fuel pumps? I had a Mercedes 450SL for a while which used a Bosch pump and the thing was anything but quiet. Maybe this is just the way the things are made.
Anyway, over time it grew louder and when I asked my mechanic about it, he said they do tend to grow louder towards the end of their lives.
Not long after this, I noticed I was having trouble starting the engine on hot days and my guy suggested I replace the pump. When I did, the problem went away and I noticed that the new unit was much quieter (though still audible).
Anyway, over time it grew louder and when I asked my mechanic about it, he said they do tend to grow louder towards the end of their lives.
Not long after this, I noticed I was having trouble starting the engine on hot days and my guy suggested I replace the pump. When I did, the problem went away and I noticed that the new unit was much quieter (though still audible).
I have since chatted to a few people over this and it seems to be very common and does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with your fuel pump. Have also been told that they can sound very slightly louder when everything is nicely warmed up which would have been the case at the end of your journey. It has probably always been there but it is just that you have now noticed it.
Shouldn't worry too much and just get the garage to check it out when you get it serviced.
See that your profile says North London, so if your still worried you could pop down to the Ace Cafe this Friday night (monthly Middx region meet). Could listen to a few other cars to re-assure you that "they all do that sir".
Shouldn't worry too much and just get the garage to check it out when you get it serviced.
See that your profile says North London, so if your still worried you could pop down to the Ace Cafe this Friday night (monthly Middx region meet). Could listen to a few other cars to re-assure you that "they all do that sir".
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