Fuel Pump went out this weekend - Thoughts?

[MindyMark]

Well my ol trusty Cougar's fuel pump went out at 1:30 AM Sunday morning in wonderful Kingdom City MO (basically no where but could have been worse).

Luckily I had just checked into a Motel 6 for the night because of the snow and only had to push the car away from the main door.

I also had the car towed and a fuel pump put in Sunday morning so I could get home.

Car runs great now but the noise from the fuel pump is quite different then the factory pump. It sounds louder then the factory pump while priming and there is a noticeable whine while the car is at idle. I can't hear the notice any other time other then while the car is idling. I'm pretty sure it is coming from the fuel pump because I can open the gas cap and hear the whine plain as day.

So here is the question....should I be concerned? If this was a local shop I would have them fix it again however this shop is 166 miles away. Should I ask them to reimburse me to drive down there again, ask them to pay a dealer here to fix it, or settle on something in the middle?

Reason I mention the dealer is the guy that replaced it was a "factory ford tech" that also works at a Ford dealer in the service department, thought maybe, just maybe Ford would warranty the work, but I doubt it since it was at an independent shop.

So what are your thoughts? Should I live with the noise, or try to deal with the shop to get them to fix it, and who should pay for the travel and the repairs?

Thanks!

 

[MindyMark]

Just some more information, the pump brand they used was Airtex, with a new fuel filter and strainer (little filter on the end of the pump).

I'm thinking I'd like them to take it out and replace it with a Motorcraft pump, even though it is twice the price.

 

[Frankie X]

Some brands of electric pumps are louder than others, and even some replacement Motorcraft pumps are whinier than others straight out of the box. Once you tune your ears to it, you'll notice a slight whine at idle from most Fords, especially if the fuel level is low.

Quite often the process of removing the fuel tank and putting it back up will change the pressure on the contact points between the tank and vehicle body, allowing the normal pump whine to be transmitted into the interior of the car with a different tone than it had before.

A buzzy or whiney sound from a fuel pump does not necessarily indicate a problem or malfunction.

Turn up the stereo and stop worrying!

 

[unity]

"A buzzy or whiney sound from a fuel pump does not necessarily indicate a problem or malfunction."

I agree. Heck, in some cases it can even be a "cool" sound. I am getting a Walbro 255 just to HAVE that "I have a mini 747 stuck in my fuel tank" sound. lol

 

[MindyMark]

Guess I am just sensitive to the sounds my car makes and I take pride in it sounding like a decent car rather then some 12 year old jalopy. So when I get a repair done and it is louder then it was it makes me sad.

But your right, turning up the radio and I don't hear it, although I would still like it to be quiet when I want it to be.

 

[maxmk8]

With 220k miles on the car... you really have to ask yourself does it really matter? As long as it is functioning properly I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[driller]

I used to be able to hear the Walbro 255 in my '93. {think exhaust}

 

[billcu]

I can hear my Walbro 190 in my red Mark at idle, with the CD player turned down. I can barley hear the stock pump in the green Mark.

I don't often idle with my CD player turned down, so it doesn't bother me.

I don't think anyone's going to pay for your travel expenses to the shop.

 

[MindyMark]

Well I've decided to live with it. I don't ever plan on getting rid of the car, so i'm sure there will be a time in the future I'll get to replace it again.