Fuel Pump replaced - Problems solved.

[dmaj]

Hey all,

Just replaced the fuel pump in my 318is. Filter and supply hoses as well. Tank doesn't look too bad, think the pump just crapped out after 3xx,xxx miles (and it definitely crapped out...)

Now the car feels great, smoother power delivery, but:
- Pump is LOUD. Louder than the original when it was going out. It's a Walbro GSS340 (255lph). Anyone experience this before?
- Level sender doesn't work. There's only one as far as I can tell (nothing under the other inspection port). Used to work fairly well, a little intermittent and jumpy at half tank, but now it reads full (always) and the empty light is on.

Thoughts?

[jrobie79]

check the wiring, I replaced my pump on my 318is and just took the level sender out and popped it back in when I went to install the new pump...maybe your LS also took a dump?

[poopin04]

I'm not sure if your car has two fuel pumps like my ETA. But when I did my in-line pump I had the same issue b/c my in-tank pump was going out the window. After replacing both, I was good to go.

[dmaj]

Only one pump (in tank) in this puppy. I'm starting to think that I may have it set too low with the sock/foot filter touching the bottom of the tank. I'll have to check that tonight.

I just pulled the level sender out, let it drain, set it aside and put it back in at the end. And now the light is on / the gauge doesn't move?? I'm wondering what I screwed up - seems too much of a coincidence for it to deuce when the pump did...

[jrobie79]

you'd be surprised (clutch slave and master like to go out in tandem)...and how did you set up the new pump? did you install it on the existing frame? if so I don't see how it could possible be too low, and that wouldn't really affect the sender.

[FLG]

The 255 isn't quiet like a stock pump. Mine hums along.

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[vpilarrt]

Pull the level sensor back out. First look to see that the weep hole is not clogged. If not, hook it up to its harness (with it still out of the tank) and turn the sensor upside down. Does the gauge move to full (with key on off course)? If not, its either a broken wire or a bad sensor. If the gauge moves it could be an intermittent break in the wiring.

[dmaj]

[QUOTE=FLG;3939220]The 255 isn't quiet like a stock pump. Mine hums along.

I've heard this before, but this was more of an opera than a hum... Maybe I'm paranoid?

Pull the level sensor back out. First look to see that the weep hole is not clogged. If not, hook it up to its harness (with it still out of the tank) and turn the sensor upside down. Does the gauge move to full (with key on off course)? If not, its either a broken wire or a bad sensor. If the gauge moves it could be an intermittent break in the wiring.

I'll give this a go - thanks for the advice.

Update: Drove the car home from lunch, noise was almost indiscernible. Drove back to the office, noise was pretty much gone. The quiet, goodnight lullaby hum I imagine FLG is referring to.

So... air in the system from new hoses / filter? Beats me. Fingers crossed it stays bueno.

Thanks for help thus far.

[FLG]

Mine kinda sounds like... A whine, idk I can't hear it over the turbo anyways :-)

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[matthugie]

Sometimes it takes a little while after the pump gets started dry to quiet down. You can also check your sock and tank, you can have a slightly clogged sock, especially if there's any rust in the tank.

[dmaj]

So my fuel gauge has always been a bit wonky. Reads full and empty fine, but "twitches" anywhere in between. Naturally, I decided to fix this when I pulled the sender to replace the pump.

My fix: Blowing compressed air into the weep hole of the aluminum housing. Good enough? Probably not. Let's shake the thing around a bit to make sure all the gunk is loose. Sounds like a rain-stick. Few more shakes, a few good whacks. One more for good luck. Yep, that'll do.

Here's a word of advice: Don't do that. Because this is what your fuel sender looks like on the inside:


See those tiny wires? They're about the thickness of a pube. They're fragile. They brake. Don't shake the damn level sender.

I soldered the wires back on their bases and whaddayaknow, the sender works again. PITA.