Alfa Pages

john 33_16v · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject: How noisy is your fuel pump?

Hi,

Since doing my sender the fuel pump sounds quite noisy. I have a horrible feeling this is down to the path of the supply hose.

The new sender had it's nozzle facing forward instead of back so used a longer hose, but I have a horrible feeling the tightish bend might be resticting the flow and hence the pump is struggling and so making more noise.

Anyone with a 16v or ie, can you have a listen to your pump and report back please?

John
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey

Hi John,
When I had interior in my car and it was running low on petrol you could hear the pump, otherwise it was not noticeable.
Could you replace the pipe for a longer length and upgrade it at the same time.
I have heard that the pumps last about 15 years then start to fail.
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

john 33_16v · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks Al'.

It used to get noisy when low on fuel like yours, but now sounds about 1/2 as noisy as that with half a tank.

Have you changed your pump for a juicier one for your hot engine?

I think I might have to get a much longer bit of hose and try and run a soft curve around the top of the tank which means dropping the mofo yet again- grrr
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

gritsop · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:32 pm Post subject:

The fuel pump my 33 had from new, lasted around 15 years, the second one failed within 5 years. The first pump started to make big noise which could be heard inside the passenger compartement so I replaced it before leaving me off the road. The second one failed with no warning ... one fine day it stopped running and I could make it run again by tapping it with a hammer until I got a replacement pump. Now the 33 is counting the third pump within 21 years.
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Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey

I think it was from you grit that i heard they last about 15 years Smile

John, nop, I asked about it and was told it's not needed, sweet, my injectors are supposed to run at 3 bar and doesn't need a remap at 3.2 which mine is at, basically no vacuum controlled FPR = 3.2 bar. I would like a swirl pot though Smile

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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

lee16v · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:39 pm Post subject:

I've been able to hear mine since I've had it.........still going.

john 33_16v · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:51 am Post subject:

Took the car to get some odds and sods from Wickes yesterday evening.

The pump was noisy again, then it went quiet for about 3 minutes and just as I got into the Wickes carpark it lost power and went lumpy.

Came out of wickes- pump dead Rolling Eyes

After almost 2 hours recovery man arrived and tapped the fuel pump with a spanner and the car started and drove- quiet pump.

Got 3 mins from home -loss of power - cut out. Called recovery mans mobile and got trailered the last 3 mins home as pump shot.

First time in 11 years the 33 has ever left me stranded.

I think my hose route is probably restricting flow which the old pump struggled with, then died.

New pump on order, and will sort the hose routing somehow-

John

Rolling Eyes

_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

lee16v · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:37 pm Post subject:

Think I may get one now....9 years of buzzing means it could be on it's way out Laughing

johnboy · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:50 am Post subject:

Morning chaps still alive Laughing

Yes get yourselfs new pumps! Changed mine end of last year made a big difference for me! Now that the car lives in the back garden and only gets started now and then, ive found a couple turns and it fires into life and is quieter Wink

P.s got one off eBay about £30ish all in
_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet

lee16v · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:24 pm Post subject:

Hi John. Glad you're still alive mate!

Got any plans for your beast then or is she going to spend her last days in the garden as a piece of automotive sculpture?

johnboy · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:30 am Post subject:

Hi lee

Well we moved to a bigger house which in turn means a bigger garage Laughing

So the 33 will it's own space and will never have to sit in the rain again Cool

so once it's built then I can start restoring it and making it faster Wink

_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet

lee16v · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 5:02 pm Post subject:

Nice one. I moved house last year and have been non stop doing it up. Need to put some time aside to do some jobs on the 33 but the missus keeps cracking the whip!

john 33_16v · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 7:14 pm Post subject:

Fitted the new pump today, and it's by no means silent running, but the old one must have been slowly dying as the car is transformed! It 's pulling like an express train, running the best i can remember for ages, i'll worry about mpg later...

Mine was one of the blue ones off of ebay, £40 all in. If you get one Lee, please report back about the noise.

BTW- I assume the pump holder clamp thing was originally somehow bonded together as mine has come away at the rubber cups (if that make sense) and there's no way of reattaching short of "no more nails. Made it temporarily secure but will need to sort.

John
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

lee16v · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:24 am Post subject:

Will report back John. Are you sure your rattling isn't because the rubber jobbies are knackered and the pump is vibrating against the side somewhere?

eagle3 · Alfa 33 Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 402 Location: France

The rubber bushes are shot on mine as well and I had to use bolts to secure it. The noise certainly has increased since I've done that.

I think you need to replace the whole support with new bushes. Finding one of those may be tricky.

Some info on the 1.3 ie/1.4ie/Imola/Trofeo pump by ZP(in French) http://alfaimola.free.fr/technique/carburant/pompe/index.html I think I would spend a bit more and get the Bosch original part. http://www.pieces-carrosserie-discount.com/bosch-pompe-a-carburant-0580464048-479178.html Not sure whether it's the same for the 16V.

Photos:
http://alfaimola.free.fr/technique/carburant/photos%20pompe/index.html
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Alfa33 QO 1984
Alfa33 1.3i.e. 1994

lee16v · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:00 pm Post subject:

Mine's just turned up......It's a blue one! I'll let you know noise levels John when I fit it on Friday.

Ian M · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:27 pm Post subject:

We can all have a listen to it at SAD cant we Lee Wink

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Presntly own
Red Abarth 500c

john 33_16v · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:36 am Post subject:

lee16v · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:47 pm Post subject:

Ian M · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 3:37 pm Post subject:

Come on you know you want to Rolling Eyes

_________________
Presntly own
Red Abarth 500c

lee16v · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:41 pm Post subject:

Would be nice to see you guys and it's as close as it's going to get! Only get back from hols the day before which could be a rush.

lee16v · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:17 pm Post subject:

Wow........ Total transformation. Car pulls much harder with no hesitation and idles nice and smooth. Pump is quiet John, only the slightest whir of the motor which you can only notice when you stick your head up in under the wheel arch. Old one I could hear inside the car!
Why didn't I change it many years ago? Rolling Eyes

john 33_16v · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:04 pm Post subject:

Yeah Lee it makes a big difference doesn't it? Very Happy

My new one is slightly noisy but i'm gonna try not to worry about it too much Confused

Shouldn't have any real restriction on the hose from the tank now and the filter at the other end has probably only been on for a few thousand miles...
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

lee16v · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:32 pm Post subject:

Might be quieter John when you sort out the mounts. I replaced mine with small exhaust mounts.

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:14 am Post subject:

Hi,

Pump whine = restricted fuel lines, most of the time between tank and pump.Clogged in-tank sock filter, pinched or bent fuel hose might be worth looking at.
Also inspect the fuel pump inlet with a flashlight, there is a filter inside the pump and it might get clogged by crud or rust debris from the tank.

regards,
zp