An awful (fuel pump?) orchestra

[AugustneverEnds]

Been a fantastic DMC summer for me, no big issues so hooray! Today as I was cruising along I heard a terrible screeching, squelching, dishwasher-ish sound from the dash, steering column, somewhere forward of that area. Car is running fine, no stalling, sputtering, cold or hot start problems. The noise seems to come and go, never does it when the car is running and not moving. Intermittent everywhere else. Does this sound like a fuel pump that is playing its last song?

[DavidProehl]

Certainly could be the fuel pump starting to release its mortal coil, especially if it is of unknown age. May also be a pinching fuel pick-up hose. Does this happen when the car is cold or only when it is hot? If only hot the fuel pickup line might be starting to pinch, enough to work the pump enough to make noise but not enough to starve the engine. That happened to me. Eventually when it was hot enough it would kill the engine.

Do you have the original pump setup or the newer DMCH pump/sender combo unit?

If you don't know the age of your fuel pump, I'd recommend replacing it to be safe. It isn't fun to have it die unexpectedly.

[nkemp]

FWIW Mine was replaced a few years ago at DMCH ant it has sounded like a meat grinder from day one. I took the optimistic view that it is a feature letting you know when it is running:D Good luck with yours.

[AugustneverEnds]

Certainly could be the fuel pump starting to release its mortal coil, especially if it is of unknown age. May also be a pinching fuel pick-up hose. Does this happen when the car is cold or only when it is hot? If only hot the fuel pickup line might be starting to pinch, enough to work the pump enough to make noise but not enough to starve the engine. That happened to me. Eventually when it was hot enough it would kill the engine.

Do you have the original pump setup or the newer DMCH pump/sender combo unit?

If you don't know the age of your fuel pump, I'd recommend replacing it to be safe. It isn't fun to have it die unexpectedly.

Thanks Dave. Only seems to occur when the engine is warmed up. Now that you mention the pickup line, I did open the carbon canister compartment in these past couple of days. Maybe I disturbed something?

Still running the old setup. The fuel pump's age is unknown to me so it may be replacement time.


FWIW Mine was replaced a few years ago at DMCH ant it has sounded like a meat grinder from day one. I took the optimistic view that it is a feature letting you know when it is running Good luck with yours.

Really. Hmm not sure I want to be that aware the pump is working!

[AugustneverEnds]

Took a 30 mile drive today and the noise is gone...:hmm:

[David T]

Took a 30 mile drive today and the noise is gone...:hmm:

The fuel pump usually doesn't get that loud. Since you say it only happens when you are moving maybe it is the brakes? Does it change or go away if you step on the brake pedal while you are moving?

[AugustneverEnds]

The brakes didn't seem to affect it one way or the other. I filled up the gas tank yesterday. Today, no noise again. Maybe the pick-up or breather lines got kinked and now they're unbent? I'll keep listening for now

[David T]

The brakes didn't seem to affect it one way or the other. I filled up the gas tank yesterday. Today, no noise again. Maybe the pick-up or breather lines got kinked and now they're unbent? I'll keep listening for now

If the brakes aren't making the noise it could be the fuel pump. They do get noisy before they die. If filling the tank made a difference it probably is the pump. I would drain the tank and inspect the pick-up hose. If the pump is loud it should be replaced.

[Kozmatic]

I had this problem before too. The pump was over-heating and the filling the tank would keep it cool. Then as the fuel was consumed the noise would come back. New pump fixed that. Like was previously stated, the noise is the death march....

[AugustneverEnds]

I had this problem before too. The pump was over-heating and the filling the tank would keep it cool. Then as the fuel was consumed the noise would come back. New pump fixed that. Like was previously stated, the noise is the death march....

Still monitoring today with nothing new to report. Whose pump did you end up replacing the dying one with?

[hmcelraft]

Your speedometer cable(s) needs some lubrication.

[AugustneverEnds]

Never knew they could get that loud

[hmcelraft]

It could also be the speedometer itself. The bushing in the back could be dry. A drop of 20w machine oil will fix it.