Fuel pump or filter noise...

[mostasz]

Every time when I start the car, I can hear fuel pump running, which is normal.
But 4-5 seconds after that there's that sound coming from same place. It is like whining, but a bit lover frequency sound and it's louder than fuel pump. It's not very loud, but when radio is off, I can hear it.
Any suggestions?
Fuel filter haven't been changed Yet, car is 100% stock.

Also, can I access filter from inside of car, or do I need to get under it?

Mario

[Deserion]

Filter is accessible from outside, it's ahead of the right rear tire.

Have you heard the noise while outside or only when inside?

[Lnzbug]

Pull up your back seat & see if it's louder. I heard mine for a while before it finally bit the dust leaving me stranded. Might just be the regulator not the pump itself.

[mostasz]

I hear it both inside and outside of the car. I think It's a bit louder outside.
Lnzbug: Is regulator build in fuel pump assembly?
I looked under the seat, and only place that may be hiding something is fuel pump cover.
Well, I've found lots of cereal, crackers and spare key from previous owner, but that's different story

[Lnzbug]

Des is right. Change the fuel filter first. It might be restricting the flow. It's located outside under by the passenger door. The fuel pump is under the panel you see under the back seat. It's sitting right in the top of the gas tank.

[mostasz]

Will do filter on friday, and I'll update thread. Thank You all for input.
Mario

[alg]

Had the exact same sound with the same types of noise.

Its not the filter. VW mechanic heard the noise and told me it was common in 2001 to 2005 2.0 beetles. My car started to have the problem at 30K miles.

I replaced my fuel pump and the noise went away. The job is easy and you can do it yourself. Get a good pump though. Don't get some no-name brand from the local auto store.

Always replace the fuel filter if you have to replace the pump.

[mostasz]

Originally Posted by alg

Had the exact same sound with the same types of noise.

Its not the filter. VW mechanic heard the noise and told me it was common in 2001 to 2005 2.0 beetles. My car started to have the problem at 30K miles.

I replaced my fuel pump and the noise went away. The job is easy and you can do it yourself. Get a good pump though. Don't get some no-name brand from the local auto store.

Always replace the fuel filter if you have to replace the pump.

Just an update:
Seems like with fuel level going down in tank, sound is going away too...
Fuel filter will be replaced tomorrow anyway.

alg:

Where did You get fuel pump? Pump in Autozone is like $320!!
For $95 I could buy Walbro 255 LPH fuel pump kit for my WRX. Can You buy Walbro kit or something like that for Beetle?
I googled it, and not much came out...
Mario

[mostasz]

I got fuel filter replaced today.
Bought FF777 fuel filter from Autozone for about $18, which according to catalog is designed for 04 Beetle.
I crawled under the car, and found ... something different. Went back to Autozone to return it, cause that only FF they had for 04 Beetle.

So I went to VW stealership, where parts guy explained to me that Beetle have two different fuel filters/fuel systems.
The one I have is Fuel Filter combined with pressure regulator! So it have 2 connectors on IN end, and one connector on OUT end.
That's why price a "bit" higher - $48.99

He warned me also to be careful disconnecting fuel lines from filter/regulator. They brake easy.

So I went back to my place. Took me about 15 minutes to figure out how to disconnect them... I almost gave up

Filter sits in plastic bracket, and it is attached with metal band. To take it off use philips scredriver.

I'll try to take picture showing what to press to release lines tomorrow. It is plastic ring, sitting at the front of fuel line connector(like ring in piston). You have to press it towards center of the fuel line with small screwdriver, and pull lines loose from filter. There was some fuel leaking, so make sure You got some kind of bowl.

Installation is easy, put filter back, tighten the metal band, push lines onto connectors, until You hear CLICK.

Start the engine, and make sure there is no gas leaking anywhere.

DONE

Sound I was talking about went away. Filter I pulled out, has never been replaced before. So in my case filter/pressure regulator was making that noise.


Filter I pulled out was slightly different from what I got from stealership. Old one was probably part U can service or adjust, I'm not sure. So it was build from 2 parts, held together by kind of spring.
New one was one solid part.

New filter box/part number:


Old filter:


Old filter pic 2:


Picture of new filter can be found here:
http://www.simply-parts.com/S-Pcat08...%20Filters.pdf

Hope this will help to ones that don't have service manuals

Mario

[Lnzbug]

Glad you fixed your problem and that it was just a filter & not the pump. I bet your wallet's glad too

[woolybugger]

I'm trying to replace my fuel filter on my 99 Beetle and I am having a heck of a time releasing the line on the front of the filter. The tab thing is on top and it's giving me problems. Any advice? I've been trying to use a small screwdriver (like my mechanic told me to), but with the angle and not a lot of room, I just can't get it.

[mostasz]

Originally Posted by woolybugger

I'm trying to replace my fuel filter on my 99 Beetle and I am having a heck of a time releasing the line on the front of the filter. The tab thing is on top and it's giving me problems. Any advice? I've been trying to use a small screwdriver (like my mechanic told me to), but with the angle and not a lot of room, I just can't get it.

Take filter off first, then You'll have some more space. Fuel lines are a bit flexible, and connectors are spinning freely on filter.

Mario

[woolybugger]

Originally Posted by mostasz

Take filter off first, then You'll have some more space. Fuel lines are a bit flexible, and connectors are spinning freely on filter.

Mario

Huh, I thought I had to release the lines before I got it out. I'll try it! Thanks!

[woolybugger]

I got it out of the metal band, but I still can't get the front line off. I started to get frustrated so I came back inside to cool off. Why won't the tab release?!?!?

[mostasz]

Originally Posted by woolybugger

I got it out of the metal band, but I still can't get the front line off. I started to get frustrated so I came back inside to cool off. Why won't the tab release?!?!?

May be seized... Try pushing on fuel line, towards filter, than pushing the tab at the same time...

[woolybugger]

Originally Posted by mostasz

May be seized... Try pushing on fuel line, towards filter, than pushing the tab at the same time...

OK, I'll try that (I thought I did, but I'll try again, not so frustrated this time ), thanks!

[woolybugger]

No luck. Could there be a bunch of gunk in there, keeping the tab from releasing? If so, how can I get it out? I'll have my husband give me a hand tomorrow, unless you guys have more ideas.

ETA: I can turn the filter in the line, if that makes any difference.

[mostasz]

Originally Posted by woolybugger

No luck. Could there be a bunch of gunk in there, keeping the tab from releasing? If so, how can I get it out? I'll have my husband give me a hand tomorrow, unless you guys have more ideas.

ETA: I can turn the filter in the line, if that makes any difference.

It will not really make difference... I would just leave it for tonight. Sometimes it helps If not... MAybe some kind of oil, and leave it for night to soak pretty good.
I wouldn't use WD40 tho, since it could damage polyurethane
bushings, I would afraid It can be bad for these clips, or O-rings.
Just try to use something like... cooking oil...
Also compressed air may be good idea.
Just my ideas... Good luck

[jdl2001]

This was useful when I replaced mine. I used the screwdriver and just started squeezing and they both popped off.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2979787

[woolybugger]

Originally Posted by jdl2001

This was useful when I replaced mine. I used the screwdriver and just started squeezing and they both popped off.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2979787

The 2 screwdriver thing worked! YAY!! Thank you!!!

Now, let's hope she starts.