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Replacing Noisy LH Fuel Pump

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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 02:07 PM
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Default Replacing Noisy LH Fuel Pump

I've got a 97 with a noisy fuel pump and am looking into replacing with the redesigned one from a 99.

My questions are:

1) Is it worth doing or is there still an annoying hum with the new design?

2) Would it be easier to a)buy a replacement tank w/pump or b)just replace the pump?

Thanks
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Old Mar 23, 2009 | 08:14 AM
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ttt
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 05:59 AM
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I've got a 2002 that just started getting the noisy fuel pump at 64K miles. If the fuel pump has been redesigned, then it hasn't been done very well.

I've heard there's a service bulletin that adds some blanket or something around the pump to muffle the sound. I'm not sure how much it cost or how much of a pain it is to install compared to just doing a fuel pump replacement.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 08:27 AM
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There is a fuel tank insulator pad GM part # 12493728. GM service bulletin 99-06-04-052 outlines the installation procedure.

This question was asked in the Feb issue of Corvette Fever. The above is most of the response.

I would not spend the money on a new fuel pump. Personally I would just turn the radio up. But the above "solution" may lessen the sound.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by 02 C5man
I've got a 2002 that just started getting the noisy fuel pump at 64K miles. If the fuel pump has been redesigned, then it hasn't been done very well.

I've heard there's a service bulletin that adds some blanket or something around the pump to muffle the sound. I'm not sure how much it cost or how much of a pain it is to install compared to just doing a fuel pump replacement.
I'm reading around that on the newer design its possible a clogged fuel filter will cause the the main pump to work harder resulting in the noise.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by shadeshift
I'm reading around that on the newer design its possible a clogged fuel filter will cause the the main pump to work harder resulting in the noise.
Mine didn't. I had a LPE pump that started getting noisy, and the general consensus was that it was "going bad". I changed my filter first, to see if it would help, and there was NO difference. I bought a new $300 LPE pump and swapped it out, and sounded exactly the same. So now I just try to ignore it
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 12:47 PM
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The redesigned fuel pump is much less noisy and the change is worthwhile. There was nothing wrong with the noisy pump other than it had been previously used in another car where the pump was located at the back of the vehicle and wasn't heard in the cabin. In the C5 the pump was located a few inches from the driver with a thin metal sheet separating the two and made a lot of noise. I had the one on my 97 replaced under warranty sometime during 1999.

I don't know exactly when the redesigned pump hit production during the 99 model run but I would make sure you are actually getting one. Since 99 production started in June/July 98 maybe early production cars did not get it.

Bill
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 02 C5man
I've got a 2002 that just started getting the noisy fuel pump at 64K miles. If the fuel pump has been redesigned, then it hasn't been done very well.

I've heard there's a service bulletin that adds some blanket or something around the pump to muffle the sound. I'm not sure how much it cost or how much of a pain it is to install compared to just doing a fuel pump replacement.
Nothing related to the original noisy pump problem. Two separate issues.

Bill
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 04:18 PM
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That's what I'm thinking. Either mine has the clogged fuel filter or a pump going bad. There was absolutely no noise before and now its definately there.
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 05:54 PM
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I'm going to change out my filter tomorro and see if it corrects the problem. I'll post results.
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 06:04 PM
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Put a catback on it. Problem solved!
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 02 C5man
I'm going to change out my filter tomorro and see if it corrects the problem. I'll post results.
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 05:26 PM
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Well, I'm not sure if this proves anything or not, but I couldn't get the fuel pump noise to come back. I changed out the filter anyway (which includes a new regulator) and I still have no pump noise after about 30 miles of driving at all speeds. If either the filter was clogged or the regulator was getting stuck, then I can see how the pump would start working harder to pump the fuel and make all that noise. The fact that it was intermittent makes me think its possible that the regulator was on the blink. At least I hope so.

I guess in 2003, they started incorporating the filter in the tank. From what I've read all new Vettes have to have the whole tank removed to change the filter. I'm lucky I just missed out on that hassel.
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 10:47 PM
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I have a 99 with an annoying hum. The sound is coming from the rear of the car. Is there any way to silence the noise? I don't listen to the radio. I like to enjoy the sound of the car
without the hum
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by salsvette
I have a 99 with an annoying hum. The sound is coming from the rear of the car. Is there any way to silence the noise? I don't listen to the radio. I like to enjoy the sound of the car
without the hum
You could look into that recall that wraps an insulator around the pump or replace it with a newer designed pump.

As far as an update on the filter I replaced, its been about 500 miles now and still no sign of fuel pump hum.
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 06:13 PM
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Thanks for the info. It sounds like the most logical choice would be to first replace the fuel filter. It's not due for a change, but it could not hurt
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Old Sep 19, 2009 | 04:18 PM
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Wish there was more info on this issue.
I have an 03 Z that has 45k on it. I have had this car since 1,400 miles. about 2years ago now I had my fuel pump losing pressure at WOT, it would drop down to about 25psi. Car was out of warranty by time, the mileage was about 27k, I luckily got it replaced under the GM goodwill program after being quoted $1,800 to replace it

I have the "new fuel system" that so intelligently moved the filter to inside the tank
I am now getting the Noisy Fuel Pump issue, it has been going on for about 3 months now. I have Kooks headers un catted and Borla Stingers and every time I come to a stop I can very much hear the pump. It is extremely annoying, I'm not having pressure issues or anything, just the damn high pitch whine from the pump.
I'm sure that the replacement pump was the "New Design".
I noticed that the noise will not be present if the fuel gauge is 3/4 or higher, and 1/4 or lower, but very much there if between 1/4 and 3/4.

What can be done about this?
Can the pump be fixed?
I don't feel that the "insulation" fix will solve this for me.
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by CarBoy
Wish there was more info on this issue.
I have an 03 Z that has 45k on it. I have had this car since 1,400 miles. about 2years ago now I had my fuel pump losing pressure at WOT, it would drop down to about 25psi. Car was out of warranty by time, the mileage was about 27k, I luckily got it replaced under the GM goodwill program after being quoted $1,800 to replace it

I have the "new fuel system" that so intelligently moved the filter to inside the tank
I am now getting the Noisy Fuel Pump issue, it has been going on for about 3 months now. I have Kooks headers un catted and Borla Stingers and every time I come to a stop I can very much hear the pump. It is extremely annoying, I'm not having pressure issues or anything, just the damn high pitch whine from the pump.
I'm sure that the replacement pump was the "New Design".
I noticed that the noise will not be present if the fuel gauge is 3/4 or higher, and 1/4 or lower, but very much there if between 1/4 and 3/4.

What can be done about this?
Can the pump be fixed?
I don't feel that the "insulation" fix will solve this for me.
I just sent an email to you
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 11:08 PM
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Dont bother with the fuel filter , never made a difference with mine (2001). Sometimes noisy sometimes not , I ignore and turn up the radio.
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