Seeking advice regarding Volvo Penta 5.7GXi-HF fuel pump whine

[HiWard]

I know, another fuel pump whine question...

Engine serial is 4012221122, it's a 5.7GXi-H converted to fresh water cooling.

A little background info:
I've had what I perceive as a whining noise from the fuel cell for the last two seasons. Not having heard other fuel pumps I'm not sure how much noise they should make, but I can hear it even with the engine cover closed so I'm assuming it's the infamous VP fuel pump whine. Not sure if it's the high pressure side, low pressure side or both. The engine works well; no stalling out at idle, max RPM is around 5500, all seems well. I have however, had the occasional vapour lock. This was possibly caused by the fuel cell reservoir coolant passages being completely clogged with salt.

Steps I've taken to locate the issue:
* Checked fuel pressure on LP and HP side, both are within VP spec
* Replaced the HP regulator screen with an e-clip (there was no debris in the screen)
* Rebuild the fuel cell removing all paint and replacing all seals (no sign of paint chips)
* Flushed the raw water cooling passages
* Cleaned the electrical connectors (not on the relay side come to think of it)
* Checked for an anti siphon valve in my fuel line, there isn't one
* Replaced alle fuel hoses and stop valve on fuel supply (this was due anyway)
* Run the engine from a portable fuel tank with known good fuel, mixed 1:50 with two-stroke oil
* Replaced fuel filter annually (VP original parts)

None of these steps have solved the whining issue, yet all seems well otherwise.

I feel like the next step would be to either replace the entire fuel cell or keep the one I have and live with the whine until the pump eventually craps out. I'm not offshore, so a failure would be unpleasant, but not terrifying.

Does anyone have any tips on other things to try? Any views on replacing the fuel cell? The price for an OEM fuel cell is ridiculous, so I'm tempted to go with one of the mid-priced third party fuel cells.

 

[alldodge]

The antisiphon valve should be connected to the fuel tank and if it's not there one should be installed. Pump may be getting weak and that may be why it was removed by another to help.

Pumps always wine but when they get loud there could be an issue

Have not read where the after market pumps don't work

 

[BRICH1260]

For what little they cost, I would probably try one of those $200 aftermarket pump assemblies to see if the whine persists. Worst case scenario is now you have a back up pump.

 

[QBhoy]

The rpm won’t be as high as 5500. Certain of it.

 

[HiWard]

The rpm won’t be as high as 5500. Certain of it.

Maybe you’re right, I pulled that number from the top of my head. The point was that the engine isn’t struggling.

 

[ESGWheel]

I too had this whine and you certainly ticked off all the ‘fixes’. One indication that is also present with the whine is higher temps of both the electrical connector(s) and pump body. Mine were like cannot hold for long hot.

I too did the e-clip but did have lots of debris. But I sent my OEM pump to Man Cave Mechanic (link) to do the rebuild. Used a AM pump in the meantime with no issues and now have a spare after reinstalling the rebuilt OEM pump. They are down to $150 on Amazon.

 

[HiWard]

I too had this whine and you certainly ticked off all the ‘fixes’. One indication that is also present with the whine is higher temps of both the electrical connector(s) and pump body. Mine were like cannot hold for long hot.

I too did the e-clip but did have lots of debris. But I sent my OEM pump to Man Cave Mechanic (link) to do the rebuild. Used a AM pump in the meantime with no issues and now have a spare after reinstalling the rebuilt OEM pump. They are down to $150 on Amazon.

My pumps seem to be running cool. I ordered the seal kit from Man Cave Mechanic and did the rebuild myself with the help of his videos.

 

[QBhoy]

Does it whine just at certain rpm ? I know my mpi version has a whistle/whine when sitting on plane around 24 mph at about 2200 rpm. The pump noise starts a little before that coming up the rpms perhaps. Heard them all do similar though. Just between low and high pressure pumps perhaps.

 

[HiWard]

Does it whine just at certain rpm ? I know my mpi version has a whistle/whine when sitting on plane around 24 mph at about 2200 rpm. The pump noise starts a little before that coming up the rpms perhaps. Heard them all do similar though. Just between low and high pressure pumps perhaps.

I hear it clearly at idle and slower speeds, maybe up to 2000-2500rpm. After that I don’t hear it, but at that point wind noise and engine noise may drown out the whine.

 

[QBhoy]

I hear it clearly at idle and slower speeds, maybe up to 2000-2500rpm. After that I don’t hear it, but at that point wind noise and engine noise may drown out the whine.

Got you. I think that’s maybe quite normal on these mpi and gxi things. Every other I know does similar. Within reason of course.

 

[HiWard]

Got you. I think that’s maybe quite normal on these mpi and gxi things. Every other I know does similar. Within reason of course.

The whine itself doesn’t bother me that much, after all it’s been like this for the past two seasons (~60 engine hours, boating season is short in Norway). It’s more not knowing if failure is imminent, so maybe keeping an aftermarket pump as a spare is worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[QBhoy]

The whine itself doesn’t bother me that much, after all it’s been like this for the past two seasons (~60 engine hours, boating season is short in Norway). It’s more not knowing if failure is imminent, so maybe keeping an aftermarket pump as a spare is worth it for the peace of mind.

Always fancied a boat in Norway. Lovely place. Spent lots of time there and around Scandinavia. I’m just across the North Sea to the west !

 

[HiWard]

Always fancied a boat in Norway. Lovely place. Spent lots of time there and around Scandinavia. I’m just across the North Sea to the west !

I’m a fair weather boater so I could think of better places to own a boat, but recreational crab and lobster fishing on the west coast is great fun!

 

[QBhoy]

I’m a fair weather boater so I could think of better places to own a boat, but recreational crab and lobster fishing on the west coast is great fun!

Sounds lovely.

 

[HiWard]

Revisiting an old thread as another season draws to a close. The fuel pump is still whining and still working.

I had the idea of unplugging the electrical connectors for the pumps with the engine running in an attempt to determine if it's the low-pressure or high-pressure (or both) which is whining. Could this damage the engine in any way?

 

[alldodge]

It won't hurt anything

 

[cyclops222]

Usually it is all the paint chips building up inside the pump & filters. Time for a person experienced to do inspection & repair before the pump goes.

 

[HiWard]

Usually it is all the paint chips building up inside the pump & filters. Time for a person experienced to do inspection & repair before the pump goes.

I've already removed all the paint from the fuel cell interior.

 

[alldodge]

Thought of something else that might cause low pressure. If the pump is leaking inside the fuel cell, but this would have to be on the high side