Intermittent fuel pump noise

[Comfy Old Boots]

Bike is nine years old. I'm just after getting tank replaced. New fuel filter and gauze strainer in tank. Lovely clean fuel

After a long run, tank was nearly empty and the fuel pump started whining heavily. Filled up and it disappeared after about 10 miles. Went on another long run and this time it's still whining despite a full fuel tank and a good few miles on her.

The fuel pump always made noise but can anyone explain why the level of it seems to come and go? The noise isn't a problem really it's just I seem to suffer an inordinante amount of surging / hunting when it is whining. More to the point, she ran like liquid choclate during the 100 miles the pump was quiet.

Sorry for the long post but has anyone any experiences like this and does it suggest my fuel pump is going to suddenly go soon - or will it soldier on forever and torment me?

Thanks.

 

[davegs]

Fuel

Did you put the filter in the right way round, or have you got the hoses (in the tank) fitted tightly? you dident put the old filter back by mistake? as trhis sounds like fuel starvation.
dave gs.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Did you put the fuel pump/filter/float plate back in the right position? I recently took mine off and replaced it in the wrong position by one stud and my fuel pump made the sort of noise you are describing. After repositioning the plate everything went back to normal.

 

[Stewart H]

Did you put the fuel pump/filter/float plate back in the right position? I recently took mine off and replaced it in the wrong position by one stud and my fuel pump made the sort of noise you are describing. After repositioning the plate everything went back to normal.

Does the "flat" on the fuel pump plate go to the front?
Stewart

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

It's been recently serviced by bmw and I think they got it wrong...Hopefully they can do it quickly - low fuel warning light comes on at 80 miles

I'll start there anyway. Thanks.

EDIT

Thinking about it for a few minutes there. I've always had this issue. Irrespective of which way the pump mech is installed.

Fuel starvation could be down to a bit of rust of something in the pump perhaps?? A bit like putting your thumb over the end of straw perhaps?? Must look for thread about this sort of stuff. Such a silly little problem really. Only an issue at low speed.

 

[RickG]

In my experience the moaning sound from the pump only happens when it starts to suck air allowing the pump rev's to rise. On my 1150 it was a useful audible fuel level indicator meaning I had about 5 miles to find a petrol station. I think you need to check you have everything lined up right, no splits in the pipes or loose connections on the suction side of the pump and also on the pressure side as this would also cause the pump to spin up.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Really annoyed here. Spent a fortune with bmw 'cos the whole bike was in need of serious work...too much for me.

I'm going for a long spin now to try and empty tank. Then I'm going to take the tank off and fix what they did wrong.

Also, can I ditch the black oval thingy? Damn thing fell off again. I can hear it bobbing arround in the tank? Or should it be reattatched/glued somehow back to the vapour overflow?

I'll check everything myself. Damnit at least I'll know its done right then...I might be better going back and talking sternly.

Also, not sure about the pump sucking air in my case. Happens even when tank is full but I know the noise you are talking about. I've had other bikers ask me about it - their usually concerned!!!!

Thanks - Lovely day here for a ride anyway

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Refitted fuel pump. Sounds quieter but still pulsing with the bike. I'll figure it out. I'll get onto James Sherlock and see if he has a clean pump to go with the fine tank I received off him - with a delivery fault I might add. He followed that up and got money back.

I've a bad feeling about the pump i've got. Easier to have a spare and fit it on the side of the road than have to wait four hours for an 'approved' recovery service.

Bet they didn't do the end rocker float line up either. think that what it's called anyway. I'll shut up here anyway and i'll post if I have any improvement tips that I can offer to the wisdom on here.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Back again. Nearly everything is perfect execpt for the clutch, rear disc and final drive; OOH, the cables too. First is a problem, second is for standing on and we don't have a mot on bikes and third, the final drive was shite on a new gs a 1200 i rode too recently. Don't know what to say but I'd love a go on the harley sportster i saw recently. Nice big belt drive. Damh frayed cables on the old throttle's and the crossover box.

I know she will start in the morning and I know how to ride her. Hence, still figuring it all out on an r850x. I'll get there

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