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Fuel pump noise just got noisier

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RobWarren

Jedi Hopeful
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G'day all,

I have a '67 BJ8 which I took on a camping trip 2 years ago, including a good hour or so on a badly rutted, unsealed road.....I crawled along at a snail's pace to avoid too much vibration and all was well but since then the fuel pump "ticking" has been far more audible. No change in performance, just a noisy bugger!

Last weekend, after a super drive in and around Sydney, I noticed when I parked the car, that the fuel pump noise was even more audible than before! I use the car almost every weekend if it's not raining and have noticed no change since the trip two years ago, until last weekend.

I suspect it might be time to get the pump replaced, but I wonder if you guys know what causes the noise and why it might be excessive in some cases?

Cheers

Rob
 
Hi
I suggest that perhaps some air is getting in the fuel lines somehow. Maybe they were damaged on your trip. See if there is any fuel leaks near the pump and make sure the connections are tight.

Im restoring a 64 BJ8.
Cheers
Mark
 
Could be the fuel pump loose in its housing or bracket allowing it to vibrate more, making more noise as well. If there was air in the line the pump would click faster until it charged the system and stop clicking. Wouldn't think there was a leak in the system or you would have been smelling gas.

Marv
 
Hi All,

I do agree that all have mentioned possibilities. A loose mounting is about the simplest issue to correct and one that could cause the amplification of the pumping noise produced by the unit.

I would also suggest you take the input line from the pump and check to make sure you have a clear line. If you have installed a filter between the tank and the pump, I strongly suggest you eliminate it. Although a Lucas pump can handle quite a quantity of debris, a blocked input line that starves fuel from the pump will burn out the unit.

As far as time to replace the pump, I have had pumps in operation for 20 years and feel they can be maintained with replacement part indefinitely or until a major part like the coil fails or you strip the fuel line threads in the body.

Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
There is a small screen filter built into the pump which can easily be clogged by a small amount of debris, so I use a larger capacity filter between the tank and the pump to catch the trash before it clogs the pump.
 
Hi Michael,

Although I appreciate why you would place a filter before the pump, it is Lucas that warns not to place one in that position. According to Lucas, the screen and large area within the pump is sufficient to handle a substantial amount of crap.

Remember, the crap we are most likely to be dealing with is usually very fine and is composed of rust, silt, and dirt. I did have an occasion to pull a sizable piece of silicon sealant, used to secure the fuel gauge float, that almost totally blocked my fuel line but even a filter would not have averted that issue.

Lucas does recommend placing a filter between the pump and carburetors.

Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
As ever, thank you, Gentlemen.

I have definitely smelled gas and my fuel consumption has been high of late. very high.I initially put it down to being too rich a mixture but it's definitely not that after a good tune-up.

What's the best procedure for checking the fuel pump, filter and fittings? I don't want to end up covered in petrol and my manuals are all in storage while I'm having my apartment renovated.

I'd appreciate your input...

Rob
 
RobWarren said:
I have definitely smelled gas and my fuel consumption has been high of late. very high.I initially put it down to being too rich a mixture but it's definitely not that after a good tune-up.
Click to expand...

My first thought was stuck carb float bowl needle valves; i.e. you're flooding.
 
Ray--

With all due respect I fail to see the logic of placing a filter with a smaller filtration area upstream of one with a larger area. From my experience with marine diesels I learned that you place primary filters with larger (and perhaps coarser) elements ahead of any pumps and secondary or engine-mounted filters. I also like to keep filters out of the engine compartment for fire safety reasons.

I have an auxiliary/primary see-through filter mounted up under the left rear inner fender and it is relatively easy to view and if necessary change it versus having to pull the screen filter out of the SU.
 
Rob--

Could it be that you are sucking air or that the pickup in the tank is clogged?
 
Michael Oritt said:
Rob--

Could it be that you are sucking air or that the pickup in the tank is clogged?
Click to expand...
I had a problem with fuel line blockage of the line located between the tank and fuel pump. It caused the fuel pump to overheat and stop pumping. Another time I also had a blocked sump which caused the pump to stop pumping and was easily diagnosed and problem cleared up by disconnecting the line going into the sump and blowing it out with an airhose. It stayed clear for many years!
 
I'll join in with Michael. I have a coarse filter/screen ahead of my pump. It's one of those that one can see inside and disassemble when it's dirty. It will hold a lot more debris than the pump screen. I also have a "real" filter downstream of the pump.
 
Michael/All,

Not to belabor my comments … or should I say Lucas’s recommendation. Your logic is flawless and I would concur in most cases as I have always placed a filter before any external electrical fuel pump for just that purpose. However, the pumps were of the modern variety with manufacturer’s recommendation to do so.

First, I am not recommending the placement of a down stream filter that follows an upstream unit. I am stating that Lucas does not recommend a filter placed before the pump but does feel a filter placed before the carburetors will eliminate sediment from reaching the bowls.

In most cases, forward fuel filters used for this purpose are not of the type you have chosen or placed for easy viewing and replacement. They are of the mettle-encased variety and installed under the car. The only time they are considered is when fuel starvation has been experienced. If I am interpreting Lucas correctly, since the pump uses fuel flow to cool the unit, I believe they have surmised there is a better chance that sufficient fuel will pass through an even clogged pump to diminish the potential of burn-out and that reliance upon an out-of-site usually forgotten forward filter presents a greater chance of burn-out happening.

Michael, please keep in mind that it is not my research or recommendation but the manufacturer. If I ever place a filter before my pump, I will definitely follow your choice of filter type and its easy view/access placement.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
Could be a ruptured diaphragm in the pump. This wouldn't account for the smell of gas but neither would a clogged filter. A gas leak should be fairly obvious.
 
To the OP...

If you smell fuel, you should able to see where it is coming from. Here are my recommendations.

1. Open the hood, disconnect the wire to the distributor, and turn the key to the on position.

2. With the fuel pump energized, look under the hood and under the car for any obvious gas leaks. Look at the fuel line which comes up the right frame rail into the engine compartment for leaks. Look especially at the joints located under the hood where the solid line attaches to the flexible line and where the flex line attaches to your fuel filter and/or the carbs. Look at the float bowl overflows to make sure they are not leaking. If the lines are leaking at the joints, turn the key off and then carefully see if the fittings can be tightened to close the leak. If the float bowls are leaking, again, turn the key off. Now you need to at least open the tops of the bowls and clean the needle and seats.

3. If all is well under the hood, take a look under the rest of the car and look for any drips. If you see one, obviously jack up the car and investigate that area.

4. If you see no drips, jack up the rear of the car, position jack stands on the frame rails and remove the right rear wheel. Now you will be looking directly at the fuel pump. Look for "wet" fittings at the fuel pump and any signs of leakage at the filter cover or anywhere else around the pump body. There is also a fitting at the firewall of the trunk that warrants some inspection.

I hope that helps.

Bill
 
Thanks guys.

I'll have a look at the fuel line this weekend to see if I can trace the problem of the petrol smell and the wheel's coming off anyway so I can check the fuel pump.

Very much obliged for all your comments and feedback, gentlemen.

Rob
 
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