Concerning noise when fuel pump primes...

A

Adam D

Senior member
 Langdon Hills, Essex
As of last night I now have a new noise, when switching the ignition on instead of getting the whirr as the fuel pump primes I now have a BRRRRRRRRR thats quite noticeable (sounds like its vibrating).

Performance seems the same and the pump is no louder with the engine running - its normal....

:cry: Anyone else had this, I'm wondering if its related to using tesco 99 petrol for the last two tanks which contains 5% ethanol. Or maybe the pump has become dislodged on a speed hump? I hope its not terminal :(
 
Hm, saw a thread on a similar problem. There must be something afoot with the fuel pumps. On my coupe, the fuel pump seems to buzz AFTER the ignition is turned off (long enough for me to exit the car, walk around and open the passenger door to get my briefcase out.
 
Just taken it out for a spirited drive and its pulling like a proverbial train so I don't think the fuel pump is struggling to deliver, wondering if maybe the pump got dislodged on its mount by a bump or jolt. It also had quite a few twists turns and bumps to re-seat the pump or if it was loose im sure it would have fallen off completely and become apparent.

I'm going to switch back to shell vpower instead of tesco 99, on my last car tesco 99 made the fuel pump loud on hot sunny days for some reason so maybe the pumps (that was a walbro 255 which whined a bit anyway) don't like the ethanol content :(

Time will tell :)
 
I am having this same issue, however it is not consistent. The next time it starts making the "louder than normal" noise, I was going to bring it by the dealer. Though the quality of the local dealer near where I live is a bit questionable after the last time I had the car in there for the 30,000 mile check up...another story for another time.
 
Hmm have you changed your fuel at all? I have been emailling a fellow zedder in the uk from pistonheads and he also thinks the noise started when he switched to tesco 99 fuel (this is a super unleaded fuel in the uk with 99 RON rating but achieves it by having 5% ethanol content IIRC).

Its performing well and makes no odd noises with the engine running so at least thats a good sign... must give it some more investigation - can anyone who has experienced similar post their stories? :driving:

Cheers!

Adam.
 
No, I haven't changed the fuel. Unless it is not available, I will get Shell 93 octane (VPower). Unfortunately, most all of the fuel sold in my part of the country, if not most of the US, has up to 10% ethanol in it. Though I do not believe that is a contributer to the fuel pump making unusual noises.

I did find this thread, which sounds fairly similar to our issue:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1286&p=21403&hilit=+fuel+pump#p21403

Recently I have noticed that the engine will stumble briefly while at idle, though this does not happen very often. This is not necessarily a sign of a failing fuel pump...but certianly could be a symptom.

I will certainly keep you posted if I do find anything else out about this. 8)
 
Took the zed out for a drive last night, 1/2 tank of fuel in the tank and it made the normal whirring priming noise rather than the loud foghorn one :thumbsup: Have now brimmed the tank with shell vpower and will see how it goes.

:driving:
 
Have used the car again since and still working fine :driving:

Seems to have killed my fuel economy though changing back to Vpower... :rofl: Perhaps its having to learn again.
 
I had a fuel a fuel pump replaced on my 05 one month after purchasing it new. I have had the "LOUD DEEP RUMBLE" last year at Homecoming, shop didn't replace it, again this year at homecoming. Had it in tech tent both years, I have it posted here, you can read all about my problems.
 
Update:

Since switching back to shell Vpower fuel I have not had the noise since and its back to normal. Is anyone in the UK regularly using Tesco 99 octane super unleaded fuel on an early Z4 (I say early as I unsure if they may have changed fuel pumps on later models if they were experiencing failures etc).

:)
 
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