3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Buzzing Apex'i fuel pump after repeated high rpm/boosting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 4, 2009 | 09:56 PM
  #1  
GoodfellaFD3S's Avatar
Thread Starter
Original Gangster/Rotary!
Veteran: Army
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (213)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,818
Likes: 656
From: FL-->NJ/NYC again!
Question Buzzing Apex'i fuel pump after repeated high rpm/boosting

Yes, I searched

I'm running an Apex'i BNR fuel pump, stock wiring. It's been bulletproof, probably has 10k miles of use on it.

When I had my FD down at the Tail of the Dragon, every time I ran the car hard through the dragon (11 miles, 318 curves) when I came out on the other end and let the car cool down, the pump was buzzing audibly, it could be heard from the driver's seat. When I rev'ed her in neutral, the buzzing got louder.

I always ran through on a full tank of gas, at it's lowest point I had 3/4 tank.

My FD drove fine, I have an in-car fuel pressure gauge and there were zero problems at all. peak fuel pressure was around 4 bar. If not for the buzzing, everything was fine.

It happened four times, each time going through the dragon. Hasn't happened since, to include the 730 mile trip home. It also happened to my friend Garret/G's third gen in his FD, walbro with stock wiring.

The RE-Gorilla mechanic/rotary stud on hand surmised it was a bad fuel pump relay, which is a possibility. I'd rather not get rid of the pump, as it was pretty damn pricey and has worked very well.

thoughts?
Reply
Old May 4, 2009 | 10:14 PM
  #2  
hsitko's Avatar
Archdandy
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
Likes: 3
From: Predominantly educated metropolitan area
I wonder if its not specifically the pump, but say something near it. If you are driving it like i think you are through the dragon with peaks of 4 bar, perhaps it is something near the pump that is causing the buzzing. Either that or i wonder if it is some of that strange water hammer effect that the stock system had the fpd on there to get rid of? I'm wondering if i might soon be hearing the same thing. I would hate to think that your pump is bad seeing as how that is supposedly one of the best pumps on the market.

All that said, it could be that you dont have a bad pump, but perhaps you are overheating it. If you are running outside that pumps efficency range you may be working it too hard. I dont know anything about the specifics of that pump but i bet you have 1600cc secondaries and xx primary injectors running a pretty decent duty cycle at full load higher rpms. That is probably a pretty substantial pressure drop for any pump to contend with. You may just be overworking the pump. The drive home was probably you taking it easy huh? Just thoughts to get your mind turning.
Reply
Old May 4, 2009 | 10:57 PM
  #3  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,788
Likes: 809
From: Bay Area CA
I'm of no help but Crispy posted some really nice write up on fuel pump wiring. I can't find it on his site but I'm sure he can provide a direct link if you PM him.
Reply
Old May 4, 2009 | 11:05 PM
  #4  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,788
Likes: 809
From: Bay Area CA
Found it
http://www.reganrotaryracing.com/fddualfuelpumps.htm
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 12:01 AM
  #5  
Uncle Hungry's Avatar
Talk to me....
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 51
From: 600' up
I've had the same problem with walbros and typically it's just an early sign of a dying pump. At least in my cases it was.
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 10:19 AM
  #6  
fendamonky's Avatar
F'n Newbie...
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,942
Likes: 323
From: Nokesville, Va
^ I hope not.. my bosch 044 has buzzed since the day it was installed, I always figured it was just normal for the beefy aftermarket types.
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 04:35 PM
  #7  
G's 3rd Gen's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 7
From: Home of the Rolex 24
I was having the same problem right along side Rich on the Dragon ( I think his gremlins jumped into my tank!). Mine started the second day we were there. I have an old school Walbro 255 (not a knockoff) w/ 15,000 on it. It is directly wired to the battery w/ a relay. We were kicking the idea around of the recirculated fuel getting too warm accelerating or variating the load of the pump. Although I dont see how the temp. of the fuel could theoretically do this . After running the car extremely hard for extended periods the fuel pump would work harder (become louder) if we blipped the throttle at idle to certain higher rpms. It was not voltage related as it was constant according to my computer display.
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 05:32 PM
  #8  
mad_7tist's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 0
From: tampa
bad fuel pump relay seems like a quick jump without looking at the pump voltage.
G's the voltage readout on the commander has nothing to do with the voltage the pump. any chance that all that heavy side to side loading kicked up some crap in the tank and it is partialy restricting the inlet sock or even the fuel filter? unless the housing or your mont for the pump got tweaked and it is buzzing/vibrating.
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 05:50 PM
  #9  
Fritz Flynn's Avatar
All out Track Freak!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (263)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,672
Likes: 413
From: Charlottesville VA 22901
Hi Rich,
When it gets hot it buzzes. It was always audible in the track car. If and when it stops buzzing when it gets hot that's when I'd worry hehe. Just keep an eye on the pressure gauge and when they can't handle the heat in the kitchen you'll see a slow pressure loss under heavy boosting.
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 06:36 PM
  #10  
Uncle Hungry's Avatar
Talk to me....
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 51
From: 600' up
Originally Posted by fendamonky
^ I hope not.. my bosch 044 has buzzed since the day it was installed, I always figured it was just normal for the beefy aftermarket types.
No that's normal, I'm talking about it getting louder over time. 044 is a bad *** pump btw.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Queppa
New Member RX-7 Technical
11
Nov 18, 2024 03:47 AM
Skeese
Adaptronic Engine Mgmt - AUS
65
Mar 28, 2017 03:30 PM
Snoopy FD
Build Threads
25
Dec 8, 2015 01:45 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:44 PM.