Noticeable fuel pump whine normal?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo CO
Noticeable fuel pump whine normal?
I have a noticable whine from under the drivers seat, I assume it is the fuel pump. I recall that the fuel pump on my 2000 Chevy truck got noisy before it died. Is some noise at idle normal? The gas guage is at 2/3 full now but the noise seems pretty consistent. The sound changes pitch when a turn signal blinks or when I turn on anything electrical.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
The fuel pump is located in the driver rear wheel well, so kinda behind teh driver. They can whine sometime, normally when they get real hot. If your is changing pitch with the blinkers, you might have something else wrong. Try to determine if it definitely the fuel pump. Start the car and listen around the wheel well for the sound.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The fuel pumps on the early C5s 97 through 98 were very noisy. GM redesigned the fuel pump for the 99 cars so they made less noise. GM would replace the pump under warranty for the older cars if the owner complained.
Bill
Bill
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
It is normal for the fuel pump in early C5 Vettes to be loud.
I hear it over my left shloulder, the pump is in the left rear behind the driver.
Later models have a more quiet pump installed.
I have read many a post about it.
After I start driving and I get to grinning I don't hear it any more.
I hear it over my left shloulder, the pump is in the left rear behind the driver.
Later models have a more quiet pump installed.
I have read many a post about it.
After I start driving and I get to grinning I don't hear it any more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Bob, you should fill out your profile, so we know what year car and where you live.
The early year (1997 and 1998) had some noisey fuel pumps that could have been replaced under warrenty. They are not bad, just noisey.
My 1998 makes some whine when it is cold, but it goes away as the car warms up. It is never noisey in the summer.
The 1997 and 1998 are cheap to change the fuel filter, cheap insurance that a clogged fuel filter is not the problem..
The early year (1997 and 1998) had some noisey fuel pumps that could have been replaced under warrenty. They are not bad, just noisey.
My 1998 makes some whine when it is cold, but it goes away as the car warms up. It is never noisey in the summer.
The 1997 and 1998 are cheap to change the fuel filter, cheap insurance that a clogged fuel filter is not the problem..
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
What year car do you have? The pump is inside the tank and on 97 & 98 C5, they were noiser than the later ones. I had the one in my 98 replaced with a 99 pump under warranty cause of excessive noise
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
I have a noticable whine from under the drivers seat, I assume it is the fuel pump. I recall that the fuel pump on my 2000 Chevy truck got noisy before it died. Is some noise at idle normal? The gas guage is at 2/3 full now but the noise seems pretty consistent. The sound changes pitch when a turn signal blinks or when I turn on anything electrical.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
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From: SoCal
DH
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
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From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
I looked for a '02 instead, having changed a few fuel filters in more than 40 years of car ownership, dropping and draining the fuel tanks to do so makes no sense to me.
Good luck!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Mine is extremely loud as well. When i turn on turn signals the whine changes pitch with the signal blinking. It's annoying. It seems to have gotten noisier lately though, I know I need to replace my fuel filter though and am doing that tomorrow.
A new thing today, when i turn the key to the on position and the pump turns on to prime the fuel system, i'm hearing a sloshing noise (sounds like gas is sloshing around in the tank). Never noticed it before...hope the pump isn't dying.
A new thing today, when i turn the key to the on position and the pump turns on to prime the fuel system, i'm hearing a sloshing noise (sounds like gas is sloshing around in the tank). Never noticed it before...hope the pump isn't dying.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,867
Likes: 250
From: Hillsboro OR
If your car is a mid-model-year 2003, or a later C5, the fuel filter will be INSIDE the gas tank.The EPA required a running change in mid-2003 that put the fuel filter in the tank, and downgraded the fuel injection system. The latter is no big deal unless you mod for really big HP, then you will need a new FI system. However, the filter inside the tank was a deal stopper for me when I was shopping.
I looked for a '02 instead, having changed a few fuel filters in more than 40 years of car ownership, dropping and draining the fuel tanks to do so makes no sense to me.
Good luck!
I looked for a '02 instead, having changed a few fuel filters in more than 40 years of car ownership, dropping and draining the fuel tanks to do so makes no sense to me.
Good luck!
