In Nigeria with a noisy fuel pump.

[michaelo]

I have a 2002 1150GA adv and I have been traveling in north Africa and I'm down in the west coast in Nigeria now, when I got down form the drier desert climate I noticed my idle speed became lower 950-1000 RPM, then a few days ago I noticed that the fuel pump seems to be whining a bit while the engine is running. When I turn on the ingition I hear the pump whine and then stop as it has built up pressure before starting which is normal, then when the engine running I can hear the pump still whining I hadn't noticed this before or maybe I'm getting paranoid? Can I take out the pump just to have a look without having to replace the gaskets with new ones as I didn't bring any spares with me. Also can I move the idle speed up by turning the TB screws clockwise or anticlockwise? Any thoughts on this Thanks Mike

 

[Colban]

If its working,i would say dont f@ck about with it.
It may be the dodgy petrol and the pump is telling you its on its way out,but i believe they are a sealed unit with no seviceable parts.
You really need a manometer to set up the TBs rather than just fiddling with the brass screws.Once again,while its working.....
What may be a plan;is if you feel you dont want to trust to luck is to aim for a big city which has repair facilties/BM dealer and order the pump/get a 2nd opinion.

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Clogged fuel filter also causing pump to make more noise. You've maybe taken a bit dirty fuel that may have clogged the filter noticably.

But as Colban sayes: on the trip, while it works, let it be. Just change the fuel filter when possible (ideally, route the fuel filter outside the tank on your next trip and carry a spare fuel filter with you, easier to replace then if you get shete fuel somewhere).

Happy travels, Margus

 

[snoopy]

Yup it whines when it can't get any fuel. I found it a much more reliable way of telling when I was going to run out of fuel.

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

+1 on the fuel filter.

 

[Rugged Path]

Having spent 6 years working in Nigeria, you are lucky to find any fuel.

 

[johnl]

fuel pumps make a lot of noise, that seems to be their primary function, shifting fuel is number two. Of the two factors listed, 1 - being in Nigeria, and 2 - the fuel pump making a noise, its number 1 i'd be more concerned about.

 

[michaelo]

Thanks for all the replies, I think it may be a clogged fuel filter, petrol is a bit dodgy here I think. Seeing I didn;t bring a spare filter or gasket!, is it possible to take out the filter and blow out the dirt and put back the pump unit with the origional gasket. Or will I just leave it the way it is? Mike

 

[Stewart H]

I have just replaced my fuel filter and the fuel pump noise has reduced dramatically, if you dont have a new filter available why not blow through the old one with an airline (Backwards)
Stewart