Fuel Pump loud

[gregfry]

I have a 1999 Suburban LT. The fuel pump can very easily be heard from the back of the vehicle. It sounds like a loud buzzing sound. The vehicle only has 23k miles.

Is this normal to be able to hear the fuel pump so easily?

[jfmctlaw]

If you have a mechanics ear for a fuel pump, then you hear it all the time. I can hear it from the driver seat when the key goes on, but when is it too loud? Hard to say here. I believe it has 2 speeds and is supposed to come off high speed after a predetermined time. Do you hear it when the engine is running or just the key is on with engine off?

[gregfry]

Originally Posted by jfmctlaw

If you have a mechanics ear for a fuel pump, then you hear it all the time. I can hear it from the driver seat when the key goes on, but when is it too loud? Hard to say here. I believe it has 2 speeds and is supposed to come off high speed after a predetermined time. Do you hear it when the engine is running or just the key is on with engine off?

Thanks for the response, I do not hear it from inside the car when the engine is running. I can hear it for about 2 seconds once i turn the engine off then the fuel pump shuts down.

Outside the vehicle is when it is easily heard. Especially in the back of the car.

[blueburbboober]

from what ive heard, its normal, dont worry about it. worry when it stops working or starts to not put out the correct pressure. it should last you over 150k miles, so id just ignore it.

-rob

[Ballisitc Audio]

Yes, it's normal. However it is very annoying, you can get an aftermarket fuel pump and it will cut down on the noise drastically, it will set you back a few hundred though. I've had my Suburban in several shops and they all say it's fine.

[tooltimetech]

With only 23,000 on it make sure the fuel filter has been replaced, as a fuel filter becomes restricted the fuel pump has to work harder to push the same amount of fuel through it so it will run hotter (wear out faster) and as it works harder it will be louder. Also a suburban has a very big gas tank on it so when it is low on fuel it acts as an echo chamber, keeping the fuel pump fully submerged in fuel helps muffle the noise. I do not recommend an after market pump. The fuel pump is not 2 speed.
I used to replace the fuel filter around every 15,000 miles on my 97 Suburban, (consider the mpg and how many gallons of gas has been filtered).

[gregfry]

Thank you "Tooltimetech" I believe i will take your advise and replace the fuel filter, this is the most practicle first step. Thanks again!

[2000BurbLT]

I hear what can be described as a high-pitched whistle/dental drill/buzzing sound when my Suburban is running. I only hear it when I am outside the vehicle-it cannnot be heard from the inside. I have been worried about this sound. Is that what a fuel pump sounds like?
Thanks...

53,000 miles on it and fuel filter replaced at 30,000 miles.

[gregfry]

Yes, that is the sound i am refering to.

[2000BurbLT]

Thanks for your response, gregfry. Much appreciated.

[babygirl]

I was wondering what that was..now i know although my truck died the other day and everyone is saying fuel pump but a few are saying change the fuel filter first and just hope for a miracle. I miss my truck

[nafai]

I have a 1998 K1500 5.7 V8 and I can hear the fuel pump outside the truck. However, after the truck has been running a while if I idle to a stop at a light or something, I hear a loud buzz from the dash area? It does not run when you first start up the truck cold? Thanks!