What's making this noise?

[SlowToady]

Hi,

My friend has a 72 914 that recently started making a rather unsettling noise. When you turn the key (electricals are running, but he isn't trying to turn the engine over) there is a noise from the engine compartment that is rather loud and sounds like a part with a bad bearing. Sounds like a louder, more expensive version of a computer fan dying. It seems to be coming from the front of the engine compartment, and it does NOT go away when the car is being driven. Also, to the best of my knowledge, the noise does not get louder under load (hard acceleration). I was thinking the fuel pump? What do you guys think?

Thanks

[hardflex]

sounds like fuel pump, but it could be a clogged fuel filter. That will make the pump much noisier.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

If it's a carbed car, this is likely the Facet "rattle" fuel pump.

Could also be the heater blower fan, if that is on all the time.

If it's just a buzzing noise, and it happens for about 1.5 seconds when the key goes from "off" to "on", then starts up again when the starter is cranked, then it's the fuel pump. If you can hear the noise distinctly over the engine and wind noise, that is not normal. If you can hear it up until you start moving, that is normal.

--DD

[SlowToady]

If it's just a buzzing noise, and it happens for about 1.5 seconds when the key goes from "off" to "on", then starts up again when the starter is cranked, then it's the fuel pump. If you can hear the noise distinctly over the engine and wind noise, that is not normal. If you can hear it up until you start moving, that is normal.

Yes, the car is carbed. Forgot to mention that.

The noise is there as long as the key is turned. We turned the key, not enough to crank it, and it did it until we turned it back off. Also, the noise does not go away once it starts up. It gets less noticeable, but that might be due to engine noise. I'm not sure what qualifies as "distinctly" but he noticed it after he got pulled over 2 nights ago, and it has been doing it ever since. I could hear it when we went back to his house to get the truck; it's a constant noise and only goes away when the key is off.

Thanks

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Check the fuel pump.

--DD