Fuel pump whine

**wagxing** · 09-19-2009, 04:15 PM

Hi Guys,
My 2000 WS-6 Firebird with 70,000miles has run like a top up until this morning when I got on it. The engine sputtered and bucked like I had run out of gas. (it had a have a tank) When I pulled into my workplace I could here a high pitched whine from the rear of the car. I assume it is the fuel pump, but would a plugged fuel filter cause the fuel pump to whine, or is it just plain the fuel pump getting ready to sh%$ the bed. I know from experiance that most things don't fix themselves. Any suggestions.

**gnomee** · 09-19-2009, 06:08 PM

Your on the right track by changing the fuel filter it can't hurt anything.

I took a month long cross country trip in my 98 forumla several years back and I had to put gas in it at some really nasty gas stations sometimes.

On my way home my gas guage stopped working right and my pump started whining. I was flipping out hoping I did not get stranded.

Made it home, changed the fuel filter and 2 tanks of gas from Quick Trip later, the guage works fine and the pump does not whine. Over 200k now still on stock pump

**89RS&98Z28** · 09-20-2009, 05:04 AM

Mine started the whine(sounded like a plane flying over) at 120 k . And that was when I started using the Lucas ucl and it quited it quite a bit at 216k now and am about to swap to the TS-W3 stuff Sarge was talking about. Still gets noisy at 1/4 tank or less but not like it was. And never any pressure problems, still smokin them pony's. Was adding about 5 oz of Lucas every other tankful. I like the idea of 2oz of TS-W3 every 10 gal. Can't hurt and should be as good or better than the Lucas

**Pete Rock98** · 09-20-2009, 06:12 AM

If the pump is making a high pitched whine it's over heating .I had the same problem on my 98 shortly after this I installed a new pump.Change the filter and throw a bottle of techtron or lucas in there see what happens .

**wagxing** · 09-20-2009, 11:48 AM

Thanks guys, it makes perfect sence. If I read you right, your saying, the back pressure from a dirty fuel filter would cause the pump to get hot and whine. It only does it after a few minutes of driving. It is fine on cold start up's.
I will also try the Lucas fuel system treatment.

**wagxing** · 09-21-2009, 05:25 AM

Hi guys,
I changed the fuel filter today. The gas out of the filter looked like chocolate milk! There is no more fuel pump whine and the car is running like a top.
You guys saved me hundreds of dollars. Thanks a ton.