Noisy fuel pump - 5000TQ

[zm@mhcnet.att.com (Zafer Mehmood [209])]

I know we've discussed this before on the list, but I'd like to get
your opinions on the current problem on my '87 5000 TQ. The fuel pump
used to make a low buzzing noise ever since I bought the car almost
3 years ago. The noise could only be heard from outside the car which I
am told is normal. The noise remained unchanged for 35K miles. But
about 6 months (and 6K miles) ago, I changed the fuel filter as
preventive maintenance. Ever since then, the noise went up considerably
(reduced back pressure?). It is a whining/buzzing noise that can be heard
clearly from inside the car, at idle, even with the windows up. The noise
is reasonably uniform - changes in tone a bit - but no gurgling noises
as others have reported before.

>From your experiences, how close is my fuel pump from biting the dust?
I am thinking of buying a spare pump and keeping it in the car just in
case. When should I replace it? I've priced a new Bosch fuel pump. The
cheapest I found was $145 at Halsey Imports. Any one get a better price?
Where?

Thanks in advance,

Zafer


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Zafer Mehmood				   AT&T Bell Laboratories
zm@mhcnet.att.com			   Murray Hill, NJ