Fuel pump noise

[Aidjay]

Hi all,
There's some extra noise coming from the fuel pump which became apparent when starting up this morning. Once started and the engine is ticking over, a new whirring noise is apparent. I've uploaded a short vid where you can hear the issue. There has been no change to the perforamance of the big, other than a slight judder for the 1st 100m.

Looking at other threads here, it sounds like I need to change the fuel filter, just looking for confirmation that its nothing more serious, like a faulty fuel pump.

Cheers.

 

[ianboydsnr]

Hi all,
There's some extra noise coming from the fuel pump which became apparent when starting up this morning. Once started and the engine is ticking over, a new whirring noise is apparent. I've uploaded a short vid where you can hear the issue. There has been no change to the perforamance of the big, other than a slight judder for the 1st 100m.

Looking at other threads here, it sounds like I need to change the fuel filter, just looking for confirmation that its nothing more serious, like a faulty fuel pump.

Cheers.

is the tank low on fuel, the pump runs more and is noisier as the tank level drops

 

[Aidjay]

Tank is half full. I've never heard this amount of noise before, even when the tank is near empty.

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Tank is half full. I've never heard this amount of noise before, even when the tank is near empty.

Could it be a split or partially blocked hose in the tank, the curved one that fits on the fuel filter, or a split filter ?
Sounds as if something is making the fuel pump do more work, ..or just a knackered pump - Don't know if you can check the pressure of the fuel arriving at the injectors, but someone here is bound to know.

 

[Aidjay]

The problem was still persistent on the way home last night, but on the ride in this morning it was all back to normal again.

It is possible there was a partial blockage that has now shifted loose, but I will keep an eye (ear) out for it to see if it re-occurs.

 

[davegs]

noisy

Change the fuel filter and check for hoses loose/split don't take long, if you reluy on dealers chaging it it possibly aint been so have a look. Just run the tand down first as much as poss.

 

[Stewart H]

Mine got quieter when I replaced the filter, I can still clearly hear it below half a tank though, having seen the pump I might visit the car breakers and pick up a spare (BMW 318i) anyone correct me on this?

Stewart

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Also an Audi 100 apparently, but know bugger al about Audis, apart from they are driven very fast by large Germans on the Autobahns.

 

[davegs]

Fuel pump

Roger above post knows of a very good repair man for doing fuel pumps,
bit further than Steptoe's but he's very good, located in Bulgaria, worth the trip
but don't argue as he's about twice as big as Big Daddy the wrestler! but he's cheap!

 

[Aidjay]

Noise is back, and now I'm smelling petrol shortly after startup, although it does ago away after about a mile. As suggested by Roger, it is possible there's a split in the filter (hopefully!). Will have to purchase a new one and work on it this weekend.

 

[Steptoe]

it is possible there's a split in the filter (hopefully!). .

Very much doubt it- if the filters split the fuel won't have enough pressure to run. It may idle with a very low pressure, but it wouldn't rev.

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Noise is back, and now I'm smelling petrol shortly after startup, although it does ago away after about a mile. As suggested by Roger, it is possible there's a split in the filter (hopefully!). Will have to purchase a new one and work on it this weekend.

Guessing here, so may well be wrong, but an easy thing to check if you're smelling fuel, would be the Q/D connectors (if you have an them fitted to your bike?)...maybe need new O rings ? Cheap 'n cheerful fix if that is the case,

 

[davegs]

get back out there and do you panniers.

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Panniers done ...get on with your housework

 

[Aidjay]

Just for closure on this thread:
I replaced the fuel filter, started her up and that was it, problem solved! The filter was obviously clogged, probably from depleting the tank to fumes on many an occasion.

Some words of caution to anyone doing this for the first time:
The clips on the hoses that need to be removed, if original, are the non-replacable type.
You will need 4 new clips, two for the fuel filter and 2 for the air line hoses.
Also, probably obvious, but you need to replace the large O-ring seal that is between the fuel filter/pump mounting and the tank.
This advise came from the friendly BMW boys at Battersea when buying the filter.

Also, as per davegs' advise, try and run the tank as low as pos, makes the job a lot less messy.

I love a happy ending.