Since I bought my car a few months ago, she's made a strange (fairly quiet) whining sound right about where the fuel pump would be. Sometimes when I've been driving on a hot day for a while, and she's running a bit warm, there will be an intermittent high pitch whistle sound also coming from the same area. It doesn't seem dependent on acceleration or throttle. A friend heard the constant whining noise however, and said it's probably a dying fuel pump. Is this something they do when they start going out? I'd like a second opinion before I tear a hole in the metal and replace the pump!

Also, if this is the case and I *do* replace it, is it worth getting a 255 lph pump or something similar with more capacity than the stock pump?

 

Check the fuel pressure, including under load conditions.

 

My car started doing the same thing. I am sure it is my fuel pump, but I have been watching the fuel pressure and it is doing fine so far. I have a 2nd pump and so maybe it is the external one thats making the noise.

 

Yeah turns out my pressure is good too, just like yours. Not sure what the whistling sounds is that happens once it's been running for a while on a hot day. Sounds like it's coming from the same place though, so I'm guessing there are issues with the pump or something around there.

Ugh... I really don't want to cut into the metal, there isn't much room in there because it's a convertible. But I guess it's better than dropping the exhaust, rear end, and gas tank to replace it!