Re: Noisy Fuel Pump

[Phil and Judy Rose <pjrose@servtech.com>]

>Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 21:25:30 -0400
>From: Steve Manning <stephenm@ix.netcom.com>
>Subject: Re: Noisy Fuel Pump
>
>At 07:30 AM 10/10/97 -0400, QSHIP wrote:
>>Re both cars.  I believe it was Glen Powell that posted that he delayed
>>replacing his pump when it got noisy.  A very detailed description of the
>>shrapnel he had to purge from his fuel system.  If the schrapnel gets into
>>the FD, one might wish that the FP warning should have been heeded sooner.
>> Neither car takes more than 1hour to do the job.
>
>Could this 'shrapnel' be causing my problem?
>
>When I bought my '90 200tqw in May, the fuel pump was noisy.  I replaced
>it, along with the fuel filter.  In July, it got noisy *again*.  I replaced
>it again, along with the fuel filter.  Now it's noisy *again again*.
>ARRGHHH!!!
>
>Other than replacing the d**n thing again, anybody have any
>ideas?................SLM
>
>Steve Manning:  stephenm@ix.netcom.com

Steve, my first "idea" is to inquire as to whether or not these
"replacement" (or is it renewal?) pumps were brand new ones. If you've been
putting in brand new pumps, it is hard to believe that you would have three
problems in a row (unless problem with a production batch, which certainly
_is_ possible). What about the possibility that you have defective fuel
tank, ya know--the ones that have debris floating around from a
deteriorated inside coating? Wasn't this reported to be happening around
'89-90?

Another thought is that sometimes, well-meaning listers (including myself)
make statements and suggestions based on necessarily limited experience and
thus are unable to take fully into account the possibility of random
coincidence.  So...the law that "a noisy fuel pump is a fuel pump that is
about to fail" is one that may need to be taken with a _large_ grain of
salt. Certainly some (most?) fuel pumps run quietly and get noisy shortly
before failure, while others probably tend to run noisily for very long
times.

Of course, a "very long time" for one person may be a major PITA for
another. But since in one sense all fuel pumps can be considered as being
"about to fail",  replacing them every two months will definitely help you
avoid pump failure; in fact--bankruptcy will intervene long before your
pump lets you down ;-) Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Gallows humor, you
know.

Phil
'89 100
'91 200q (with n-n-n-noisy pump)

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