'02 OBW, ~82k.

 

Within the last few thousand miles I have noticed that my fuel pump seems to be getting a bit louder when it first 'primes' the system on a cold start. It's a deep whirring, almost grinding noise. Once it's warm it does the standard few second whistle. Happens on full and empty tank, although it seems to be a bit louder on an empty tank (as i would expect).

 

Fuel filter replaced about 20k ago, I suppose I'll try replacing it again to see if that helps.

 

Any other thoughts, is my pump heading south?

 

Thanks!

If it's just louder, I wouldn't be super worried....grinding noises are never real good though.

I'd try changing the fuel filter again too, with oem is possible, since a lot of stuff could get in there in 20k miles. It also might be that your fuel pressure is bleeding down when the vehicle is off. I have noticed that right after changing the fuel filter or releasing pressure on the fuel system, the fuel pump is a lower pitch sound and is much more noticeable. When the pressure is up, it's quieter and a higher pitch sound.

 

Next time you the low grindy noise when turning key from acc to run, wait a few seconds, go back to acc, then to run again and do that a few times. See if the pump sound then goes to the higher pitch sound. If so I suspect the fuel pressure is bleeding down when vehicle sits.

 

Oh also sometimes I hear air bubbles in there too; it might sound like grinding?

I had a noisey fuel pump once. It never affected the car. You may want to throw a fuel pressure gauge on the car just to check the pump.

 

Are you sure your not hearing air bubbles in the heater core? How does one hear air bubbles in a fuel system?

 

nipper

Yes a pressure and volume test could be good too.

 

I hear air bubbles sometimes after changing the fuel filter. I cycle the key from acc to run a dozen times or so waiting a few seconds in run to cycle the pump. I think as the fuel filter's air gets replaced with fuel, the air bubbles back into the fuel tank? Usually it's not too much but it sounds bubbly to me.