A noisy fuel pump will prevent you from enjoying your car’s stereo system. Depending on the causes of the noise, there are different ways you can use to quiet a loud fuel pump. Below, we discuss how you can fix a noisy fuel pump for a noise-free journey.
Looking for a quick answer? You can use a Kaiweets Digital Multimeter to test for electrical connection problems and HFS Carb Valve Fuel Pump Pressure Gauge to test for low pressure. Then, use the Dynamat Thick Self-Adhesive Insulator to insulate the fuel pump if you can’t fix the noise.
How to Quiet A Noisy Fuel Pump
Fill Up The Tank
If the fuel pump is whining, it’s probably because of the low gas level, so filling the tank is the best solution. If there is no other issue with the fuel pump making noise apart from the low fuel, count yourself lucky as it’s the most manageable problem to solve.
I don’t recommend waiting until the tank is empty, as this would add extra work to the pump and much pressure on the components. It is best not to drive with a tank of less than a quarter capacity. It would be best if you used this tip as a general guideline to help extend the life of your fuel pump and optimize its performance.
Check For Contaminated Fuel
The fuel you add to the tank may be contaminated, and this is another issue you may not be aware of, which means you will have to contact a mechanic to have it checked. Usually, when the fuel becomes contaminated with water and gets to your vehicle, you hear a high-pitched noise.
The other signs that you may encounter showing that your fuel is contaminated include stuck and hard-to-start engines. If the engine has trouble starting or is stalling, you will have to contact a towing company to take the vehicle to a mechanic.
Driving a car with contaminated fuel might damage the engine and require the replacement of several parts. You can altogether contact your fuel supplier and let them know the situation. In many cases, they will pay for the repairs required.
Replace Fuel Pump
Keep in mind that a fuel pump cannot last forever. As mentioned, it is a vehicle part that carries out many functions, so at some point, you will have to replace it with a new one. It is always better to replace the entire pump than to repair some parts.
Fuel pumps are inexpensive, and replacement can help you avoid costly engine repairs. Replacing a fuel pump is not challenging at all. If you’re a DIY enthusiast and think you can do it yourself, proceed and check the problem.
Look for the correct pump, and your vehicle filter, and other parts that are needed. You will need to equip yourself with a fuel pressure tester such as the HFS Carb Valve Fuel Pump Pressure Gauge to test the pressure of the fuel and a voltmeter to test whether the electric connections are working fine.
My Fuel Pump Is Making A Whining Noise: What To Do?
Fix A Low Fuel Pressure
Low-pressure warning signs include a stalling or whining sound. Although your vehicle may continue to run for a few seconds after hearing these noises, please note that the fuel pump requires fixing.
Common causes of low pressure are:
- A clogged pump inlet filter
- A restricted fuel line
- A weak pump
- A dirty fuel filter
- An incorrect tank venting
First, you need to ensure that you handle one of these issues one at a time to find out the fuel pump pressure problem. You can use the HFS Carb Valve Fuel Pump Pressure Gauge to test the fuel pressure.
Insulate The Fuel Pump With Soundproofing Material
If you’ve tried all of the above solutions and still have a loud fuel pump or the pump continues to whine, it might just be a noisy electric fuel pump.
In this case, you can use a soundproofing material to cover the affected area. This is particularly useful on vehicles that use electric fuel pumps, for they are noisier than mechanical ones.
You can use a self-adhesive insulation mat like the Dynamat Thick Self-Adhesive Insulator for this task. They are designed in a way that they can withstand high temperatures and unwanted noise.
Additionally, they can stick onto any surface they are placed on. Once you have the mat, cut it to a suitable size and stick it around the fuel pump.
Fuel Pump Noise When Accelerating
What causes a noisy fuel pump when accelerating. Well, if dirt, gasoline impurities, gunk, or anything else has blocked the fuel pump, it responds with a whining sound or other audible noise when accelerating as it tries to pump more fuel. Fuel tank debris can be more easily sucked into the pump when the tank level is low.
This dirt gets trapped in the pump and lowers the pressure. A mechanic should solve this issue by getting rid of the blockage. Keeping the fuel tank full and using fuel additives to clean the engine can also be a protective measure.
New Fuel Pump Making A Humming Noise
Is your fueling pump producing an inaudible humming sound? If that is the case, don’t worry, as the pump must make that noise. Many people don’t even realize or even don’t attempt listening to it.
An electric motor drives the pump, so obviously, it constantly hums softly during use. If the noise is disturbing, you can use the Dynamat Thick Self-Adhesive Insulator to soundproof it.
Final Thoughts About Noisy Fuel Pumps
If your fuel pump is noisy, you can follow the above tips to identify the loud noise causes and how you can quiet them. Remember to equip yourself with testing tools such as the Kaiweets Digital Multimeter and HFS Carb Valve Fuel Pump Pressure Gauge to carry out this process successfully. If you can’t fix the problem and want to insulate the noise, you can use the Dynamat Thick Self-Adhesive Insulator.
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
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