Buzzing noise from fuel tank

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

>Date: Fri, 01 Jan 1999 08:04:01 PST
>From: "scott miller" <macatawa@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Buzzing noise from fuel tank
>
>Mike - I generally use my mechanics estimates as I guide for my own 
>amateur efforts.  He's not cheap, but he's given me a lot of free 
>advice, so I'm willing to take an occasional beating. 


That theory makes sense to me - just keep an eye on him to prevent the
occasional beating from becoming a regular one! ;-)



 Since you 
>bothered to cut out your inlet screen, is that a fix you've heard of?  

Saw it on the list, figured it was at least worth a try - in this case, it
wasn't.

>Did you clean out the bottom of your tank?

No - no loose crud in evidence (flashlight check)

  Have you changed your filter 
>since?

When I did change the filter, I tried blowing through it - blocked up TIGHT
- new one far easier to blow through - also noticed much better performance
at 4,000 RPM plus after filter change - the old one was CLOGGED - I once
had a VW squareback which wouldn't go over 35 mph or up hills without
cutting out - changing the fuel filter cured the problem utterly. Same
thing here - high RPM fuel starvation from restricted (clogged) filter.




  Might your pump have been worn out by the time you cut out the 
>screen?

Quite possibly.


>
>I work 200 miles from my home, and my career field is intolerant of 
>tardiness.  Perhaps I'm not going to get away cheap this time, but it 
>sounds like new pumps are going bad as much as old ones!  If my 
>mechanic's theory is true, that would be a good explanation.  Thanks for 
>your advice, I guess I'll pull my pump after all.
>

I'd try to get a junkyard pump first, before I bought a new one. Since it
is just labor and no other parts are needed (if you are careful), that's a
quick, cheap test. If the junkyard pump is quiet or even just quieter, just
leave it in. These pumps disappear almost instantly at the you-pull-its, so
you may have to spend a little more at a "they-pull-it" yard to get one to
try.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman