Rattling noise after installing new fuel pump

[teresahornburg]

I have a 96 Astro. Brought it in to Firestone 2 weeks ago after it wouldnt start and had the fuel pump and filter replaced. Since then it has been making a rattling noise. Brought it back today and they put in a new pump for me but just got the word its still making the noise. They know its coming from the pump. They believe it has to do with the after market part having plastic instead of metal parts. Was told to bring it back next weekend so the supervisor could take a look.
Anyone have any suggestion??

[Philo]

Originally Posted by teresahornburg

I have a 96 Astro. Brought it in to Firestone 2 weeks ago after it wouldnt start and had the fuel pump and filter replaced. Since then it has been making a rattling noise. Brought it back today and they put in a new pump for me but just got the word its still making the noise. They know its coming from the pump. They believe it has to do with the after market part having plastic instead of metal parts. Was told to bring it back next weekend so the supervisor could take a look.
Anyone have any suggestion??

The important thing is to not allow them to brush you off. I would insist they put a GM factory pump in it. Sure, it will cost more but at least you can be sure your pump is as good as the one you got when you bought the vehicle. A fuel pump is not like a switch or a door handle. Without a pump, you are going nowhere. Let us know what the outcome is...

[RonB]

The person who worked on your van may not have taken the old fuel pump pulsator off the bad pump, and put it on your new pump. The pulsator rarely goes bad, and they should have been able to use the old one. If the mechanic just put in a new pump, he may have not known to use the old pulsator (he may have thought it was part of the bad pump and thrown it away). Good luck.

[teresahornburg]

I did speak with the supervisor at Firestone this morning. After he spoke with the mechanic who just replaced the new pump, they both are believing it is probably the baffle. It is supposed to be what helps keep the gas from sloshing around and making the gas gauge go up and down when you take off and start. ?? Its baffling us, thats for sure!!
It is just too much of a coinsidence that this noise (vibrating rattle, metal to metal like) happened as soon as I had the pump fixed.
My husband thinks they must of dropped it then or something because it is just too weird, but we have realized with this hunk of junk, its always one thing after another.
Of course the supervisor agreed to look at it but will charge appx. 350 if that it is indeed the baffle.
We are going to bring it to another Firestone location tommorrow and have them look at it free of charge (as recommended by the customer scv. rep at Firestone Corp. who called to survey us on our recent experience with them)
Does it sound like a baffle problem???

[RonB]

If it is the "baffle" making the noise, it's because they didn't have the fuel pump turned correctly when they put it back in, and it's hitting the baffle! WTF is the $350 for? are they going to replace the fuel tank? If the "baffle" is broken, then they did it. Sounds like they don't know, but are wanting you to bend over for a second helping.
When you turn the key to "on" the fuel pump is supposed to run for a couple of seconds to build up fuel pressure. Take the cap off the gas tank and have someone put their ear to it while you turn the key "on" (don't crank the engine). If it's the pump making the noise, you should hear it then. If it only does it when the van is running, the vibrations may be from the pump hitting something in the tank. It is more likely that they didn't get something tigntened up properly. I'd get a second opinion. Don't tell them anything except "there is something making noise, what is it". Good luck.

[teresahornburg]

Sure enough it was because they didnt use a gm pump. They replaced the fuel pump for me but it was still making the noise. They insisted it must be the baffle. After I accused them of causing the problem because it was too much of a coinsidence that the noise started the day it was "fixed". Anyway I caused a "scene" to finally agree to look at it and replace the gas tank free of charge and sure enough they decided to give it another try and put in a gm part. It works fine, no noised! Thanks for the advice guys!!!!!!

[RonB]

GOOD FOR YOU for standing up to them!