fuel pump question

[Detenator]

The fuel pump in my '90 sounds louder then it should. It has this low humming sound, i dunno how to describe it, like listening to heavy machinery thats far away. Its always been like this, but it actualy went away at one point and turned into a quiet hair dryer like sound (after i disconnected the battery to do some repairs) but then it came back after i let the tank go low. Im thinking its a dirty fuel filter and its putting extra strain on the pump making it work extra hard and making noise. The fuel filter has probably not been changed in a while (knowing the previous owner). Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Its a lot more noticable inside the car, and can get very obnoxious.

 

[shojuan]

SHOs have noisy fuel pumps. Although it's not a good sign that your pump has gone from loud to quiet to loud again, these pumps can take a REALLY long time to die. My pump first got noticibly loud at about 50,000 miles. Now at 156,000 miles it has pretty much crapped out and I'll be replacing it tomorrow or Thursday (depending on when my new pump arrives).

 

[autobahnsho]

Is it just because of where they're mounted, or was I ripped off when I paid $100 w/ shipping for an Autozone pump w/ filter and strainer?

It has hummed since I put it in...
Will

 

[sdpatt]

Fact 1: The fuel pump is a high rpm, positive displacement pump that will make a smooth, high pitched whining noise whenever it is operating.

Fact 2: The fuel pump is mounted in the fuel tank and when the fuel level drops below the pump body, the pump sound transmitted to the listener will change.

Fact 3: If the sound of the pump changes frequently or sounds strained or unsteady, either the flow path is restricted or the pump is nearing the end of its service life.

<small>[ April 09, 2003, 09:19 AM: Message edited by: sdpatt ]</small>