Nasty whine

[RichardW]

Noticed yesterday a nasty whine comming from under the vehicle at the rear of the fuel tank. Its getting louder and suspect it may be the fuel pump. Can anyone confirm this and how long have I got.

[Bitsamissin]

Richard, you may have to be a bit more specific there mate.
Like does it make the noise at idle or moving ??
What sort of noise like a diff or gear whining noise or like an electrical whine ??

[RichardW]

Frank,

Was very noticable after a fast trip home up the expressway when I got home and the engine was idling. Coudn't hear it above the tyre noise on the expressway. More of an electrical whine than than a gear whine. Haven't noticed it this weekend only going to the shops and back. Thanks for your interest.

[RichardW]

After spending a bit of time locating exactly where the noise was comming from removed the cover plates over the fuel filter and nailed down the noise to the fuel filter. I carry a spare filter for emergencies but have never had to replace it myself. Looks like a mongrel job to remove and replace.

Is it likely to just be a clogged filter or is it likely the whole unit on the way out.

[Bitsamissin]

Yeah the NM has an integral fuel pump/filter assembly the previous (live axle) models all had remote fuel filters mounted above one of the crossmembers (easy to change).
It's possible a partially blocked filter would be causing such a load on the fuel pump (starvation) that it would be making a noise. I think you would notice some fuel starvation problems though if it was that bad.
The whole assembly can be unbolted and removed from inside the car.
I'd try replacing the filter itself and see what happens.

[RichardW]

Thanks Frank,

I did have a situation recently where the engine was being starved like it was running out of fuel which I have done a couple of times. Once to see how much I could get out of the main tank before switching to the auxilliary. The second after I found out the fuel guage stopped at 3/4 full after the 2nd tank was installed. Took it back to ARB however still have an incorrect fuel reading.
As you suggest will replace the filter and see if it fixes the problem.

[RichardW]

Had the mechanic try to replace the fuel filter. He got it out and couldn't put a new one back in. Finally worked out the petrol tank had been pushed in at the bottom. Initially they didn't think they could repair it but afeter getting it out and a bBit of cutting, panel beating and welding fixed it. Much cheaper than a new tank and was also told there were non in Australia. That a bit of a worry about replacement parts although I guess theres always the wrecker.

[Pharb]

Is this the main tank that was damaged? I thought they were plastic.

Peter H

[RichardW]

It was the main tank which is metal with a plastic wrap around cover. The plastic had just bounced back into shape which was why the mechanic had trouble finding out what was going on.