Fuel Pump Noise!?

[Jesus Tree LumberJack]

I think I narrowed my problem down to the fuel pump. I have a whining/humming/squealing noise coming from mid car. From what I've researched, many people have experienced this noise. Some have stated that they live with the noise (some for many, many miles) and some have upgraded to a 174 LPH or 190 LPH (I've read negative reviews about the 255 LPH for only slightly modded SHOs). (What else could this noise be, right?)

My questions are:
1. Is the noise a sign of immediate replacement or can I wait?
2. If not emergency, what are symptoms of a fuel pump replacement?
3. If replacement is necessary, which should I get, should I drop the tank or go
in through the back seat via a homemade fuel pump door?
4. If I replace, what else should I check/replace while I'm in there?

Help Appreciated

 

[Jesus Tree LumberJack]

BTW, I've got a '90 with presumably the 122 LPH stock fuel pump.

 

[S_Mazza]

Hi there.

I had this same problem on my '89 T-Bird, and it has now appeared on my 94 Mercury Sable. The humming built up gradually, till one day I just thought, "Now where did that come from?". It was a mid-to-high pitched humming, sometimes almost warbling noise.

From the time I noticed the hum to the time the car physically broke down (in my driveway, thank God...), it was a few thousand miles. Maybe a couple months. So, don't panic, but I would do the repair as soon as possible.

As for what method to use, it's your call, but I would definitely not cut a hole in my floorpan. I think it would invite leaks and rust, possibly allow gas into the car in a wreck, and weaken the car's structure. (Sharp edges like that can cause stress buildup in metal parts.)

When I fixed the pump on the T-Bird, it was a major pain in the butt, but that was mostly because of the exhaust. You don't have to drop the exhaust on the Taurus/Sable, so it's not as bad.

Here is a walk-through at another SHO site with lots of good info:
http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...le=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=75

I hope this helps!