Noisy Fuel Pump at Idle?

[ExSEAT]

TL:DR - fuel pump (suspected) making large droning noise at a standstill, is this normal?

 

Long version...

 

Hi! My 2019 VRS TSI has always had a drone at a standstill, until now Ive been thinking it was some.sort of auxillary cooling system for the turbo or some such. Ive been getting more and more suspicious of the fuel pump until someone mentioned theirs on a facebook group today!

 

So when I got home and parked up, with my foot on the brake (DSG) I can hear this very inrusive droning mechnaical noise. Sounds like the aircon fans are bad or similar to bad tyres on a rough road. Its not 100% constant it kind of oscillates a bit. If I let the DSG engage and start to move it stops straight away, although I have noticed it at low speeds some times. I put the car in P, disabled start stop and got in the back of the car. I noticed straight away that the rear bench seat was vibrating. Putting my ear to it I can hear the noise much clearer. Today I have 80 miles ramge left so the tank is quite low.

 

I dont know anything about these fuel pumps, if they are submerged in the tank or whatever. This does seem an unusual noise. My previous MY16 didnt do it and neither have any of my other cars for the last 20 years!

 

The nearest dealer is now 45 miles away and I'd need to take time off to get it there, plus likely pay a diagnostic fee ao I'm hoping someone can ahed some light on this for me? I may be able to record it but might have trouble isolating the noise. I could perhaps get the bench seat out at the weekend if anyone has any tips?

 

So yeah, does anyone else have a really loud droning noise when stationary (mother in laws etc discounted)? Are the fuel pumps known to be noisy?? Any help gratefully received!!!

 

Car is a MY19 VRS Petrol 245 DSG (GPF) with 4k miles on it for reference!

[Woland]

The pump is submerged and installed in a fuel module. 

 

What you can try is from key OFF, just turn to ignition ON, without starting the engine. 

The fuel pump should start at this moment. You will be able to listen without other noises.

[Tivan]

I think I can hear the same on my octavia. Although, it sounds almost as like when automatic parking brake engages, its just a bit quieter and of course it can be heard constantly. Now that I heard it I starts getting to my nerves. Is this normal? If so, has anyone some suggestion how to dampen this sound a bit?

[Scotty72]

23 hours ago, ExSEAT said:

TL:DR - fuel pump (suspected) making large droning noise at a standstill, is this normal?

 

Long version...

 

Hi! My 2019 VRS TSI has always had a drone at a standstill, until now Ive been thinking it was some.sort of auxillary cooling system for the turbo or some such. Ive been getting more and more suspicious of the fuel pump until someone mentioned theirs on a facebook group today!

 

So when I got home and parked up, with my foot on the brake (DSG) I can hear this very inrusive droning mechnaical noise. Sounds like the aircon fans are bad or similar to bad tyres on a rough road. Its not 100% constant it kind of oscillates a bit. If I let the DSG engage and start to move it stops straight away, although I have noticed it at low speeds some times. I put the car in P, disabled start stop and got in the back of the car. I noticed straight away that the rear bench seat was vibrating. Putting my ear to it I can hear the noise much clearer. Today I have 80 miles ramge left so the tank is quite low.

 

I dont know anything about these fuel pumps, if they are submerged in the tank or whatever. This does seem an unusual noise. My previous MY16 didnt do it and neither have any of my other cars for the last 20 years!

 

The nearest dealer is now 45 miles away and I'd need to take time off to get it there, plus likely pay a diagnostic fee ao I'm hoping someone can ahed some light on this for me? I may be able to record it but might have trouble isolating the noise. I could perhaps get the bench seat out at the weekend if anyone has any tips?

 

So yeah, does anyone else have a really loud droning noise when stationary (mother in laws etc discounted)? Are the fuel pumps known to be noisy?? Any help gratefully received!!!

 

Car is a MY19 VRS Petrol 245 DSG (GPF) with 4k miles on it for reference!

Err yes.. was trying to work out what it was. noise seems to come from the rear of the car. Its a right drone particularly at stationary. Sounds like something was vibrating to me but fuel pump could be plausible. Its loud enough that even my Mrs noticed it a couple of weeks ago. Would seems to be the same thing you're describing.

[ExSEAT]

31 minutes ago, Scotty72 said:

Err yes.. was trying to work out what it was. noise seems to come from the rear of the car. Its a right drone particularly at stationary. Sounds like something was vibrating to me but fuel pump could be plausible. Its loud enough that even my Mrs noticed it a couple of weeks ago. Would seems to be the same thing you're describing.

Ok so its seemingly getting worse, I dont know if its because theres little petrol in there at the moment but its louder. Just done another test, turned the engine off, let it prime and then start. It doesnt do it for a few seconds then starts again. No problem with fuel delivery. Ive recorded a video which I'll put on youtube soon and you can tell me if it sounds the same!

[ExSEAT]

Have a listen

 

@Scotty72

[Mence]

For what its worth, my 2013 Vrs Diesel had a noisy pump from new, took it to my dealer and it was changed without question.

[ExSEAT]

@mence Thanks for sharing that. Ive booked it in, going to cost me a days leave but it needs sorted. I never noticed how loud it is outside the car until this evening. If the pump goes pop I'll probably save my leave from work as Skoda assist will take it to the dealer for me......

[Scotty72]

On 17/10/2019 at 16:32, ExSEAT said:

Have a listen

 

@Scotty72

Similar sound for sure, think mine isn't as loud as yours. Let us know what the dealer says please.

[dan245]

@ExSEAT - Did the dealer sort this for you?

Mine has started doing the same - at a standstill with the engine auto-stopped, heater and radio off, you hear a droning noise and if you poke head outside the car you can hear it louder along with a kind of electrical clicking noise.

[ExSEAT]

3 hours ago, dan245 said:

@ExSEAT - Did the dealer sort this for you?

Mine has started doing the same - at a standstill with the engine auto-stopped, heater and radio off, you hear a droning noise and if you poke head outside the car you can hear it louder along with a kind of electrical clicking noise.

Hi Dan! In a word, no.  After being completely fobbed off by the dealer in the first instance I had to drive to Scotland to visit another. In this case they agreed that there was a problem, which was a relief. However, they wouldnt do anything for me as no fault codes and they were scared that the claim would be rejected by skoda and someone would be left with the bill. Therefore Im stuck with a car that is annoying to be in, embarrassing to have passengers in with me and zero hope of it getting sorted unless the pump goes bang. Which sadly it hasnt shown any signs of doing so yet.

 

Result for me is cutting my losses or putting up with it. Ive had a few weeks to ruminate on my last experience so I will be firing a token amount of grief at Skoda and then no doubt being told Im wrong.

 

My confidence in Skoda and the VW group is pretty shot at this point. We are a two Skoda household but our local dealer is now 50 odd miles away and are useless. One skoda goes back next month. Im waiting for mine to break even a bit more and it will probably be going too.

 

Best of luck getting yours sorted. From what Ive been told there are 'no reported examples' of this problem in the dealer network and even skoda technical (biggest misnomer since 'master tech' in my book) havent heard of it.

[dan245]

Thanks for the reply @ExSEAT and sorry to hear it's not been sorted. In searching I've found other instances where dealers have swapped out fuel pumps (presumably under warranty) so I guess it really is luck of the draw.

I've just been out to my car and couldn't reproduce the fault so don't want to gamble a diagnostic fee on the dealer (a) being able to hear it and (b) agreeing to do anything about it.

I'll just turn the music up for the time being and see how it develops...

 

Cheers and all the best.

[Ecomatt]

39 minutes ago, ExSEAT said:

Hi Dan! In a word, no.  After being completely fobbed off by the dealer in the first instance I had to drive to Scotland to visit another. In this case they agreed that there was a problem, which was a relief. However, they wouldnt do anything for me as no fault codes and they were scared that the claim would be rejected by skoda and someone would be left with the bill. Therefore Im stuck with a car that is annoying to be in, embarrassing to have passengers in with me and zero hope of it getting sorted unless the pump goes bang. Which sadly it hasnt shown any signs of doing so yet.

 

Result for me is cutting my losses or putting up with it. Ive had a few weeks to ruminate on my last experience so I will be firing a token amount of grief at Skoda and then no doubt being told Im wrong.

 

My confidence in Skoda and the VW group is pretty shot at this point. We are a two Skoda household but our local dealer is now 50 odd miles away and are useless. One skoda goes back next month. Im waiting for mine to break even a bit more and it will probably be going too.

 

Best of luck getting yours sorted. From what Ive been told there are 'no reported examples' of this problem in the dealer network and even skoda technical (biggest misnomer since 'master tech' in my book) havent heard of it.

I would contact Skoda UK and say a dealer has said there is an issue but no fault codes. Why do we need fault codes to be there if a part is faulty?  Dealers rely too heavily on fault codes and dont use common sense  approach. The pump is louder and still operating normally so wouldnt generate a fault code. Last time I checked there was no fault code for being too noisy.  Clearly there is a fault with the pump and should be changed under warranty. Did the dealer contact the warranty department?

[ExSEAT]

3 hours ago, dan245 said:

Thanks for the reply @ExSEAT and sorry to hear it's not been sorted. In searching I've found other instances where dealers have swapped out fuel pumps (presumably under warranty) so I guess it really is luck of the draw.

I've just been out to my car and couldn't reproduce the fault so don't want to gamble a diagnostic fee on the dealer (a) being able to hear it and (b) agreeing to do anything about it.

I'll just turn the music up for the time being and see how it develops...

 

Cheers and all the best.

Dan, mine does it when its up to temperature and mainly stop start traffic. 

[ExSEAT]

3 hours ago, Ecomatt said:

I would contact Skoda UK and say a dealer has said there is an issue but no fault codes. Why do we need fault codes to be there if a part is faulty?  Dealers rely too heavily on fault codes and dont use common sense  approach. The pump is louder and still operating normally so wouldnt generate a fault code. Last time I checked there was no fault code for being too noisy.  Clearly there is a fault with the pump and should be changed under warranty. Did the dealer contact the warranty department?

Hi! Exactly my sentiment. I was dealing with the workshop manager who was in charge of warranty work. His take on it was a noise was subjective and proving it to skoda would be impossible. Therefore Im left in no mans land. My supplying dealer shut up shop, so I have had to travel to Carlisle (50 ish miles) and to dumfries (80 ish miles) in the hope of getting help. I have no leverage over these people. Those distances dont sound like much but in west cumbria that 50 miles can take me 2 hours + and for the dumfries trip I had to leave at 6AM just to be there on time, in the snow.

 

So yeah, Im at a loss. I wish the pump would eat itself, I really do. I hate this reliance on fault codes but this is a service industry rather than a car selling one these days. The impression Ive been given is that it would have to implode before skoda would look at it. I got a quote to replace it, near enough £500. The last dealer wouldnt invest any more time checking it out than having a listen during the service. 

 

So yeah, kind of 'meh'

[dan245]

9 minutes ago, ExSEAT said:

Dan, mine does it when its up to temperature and mainly stop start traffic. 

Yes, that matches the few times I've witnessed it on mine, thanks.

[ExSEAT]

Spoke to Skoda customer complaints manager again today. They arent interested in anything until there is a complete failure. So I need to drive my car around hoping it breaks down. Great policy.

[dan245]

😞

I guess you need to weigh up your appetite for battling with Skoda on this, versus taking the financial hit for the sake of your sanity.

A VAG specialist will replace it a fair bit cheaper and provided they use OEM parts your "warranty" will remain intact.

[gm73]

Hi there. I had the noisy fuel pump on my car. The Skoda warranties guy agreed with me it was the pump and it was allegedly replaced under warranty at a cost (to Skoda) of £495. I say allegedly because almost as soon as I left the dealership it was noisy again so I’m convinced they couldn’t hear the noise in the workshop (it’s intermittent) so took a decision not to change it but tell me they did. 
 

Now they’re saying they won’t change it unless it actually breaks. 
 

That’s terrific for a taxi with passengers hearing a loud droning noise. 

[KenONeill]

5 minutes ago, gm73 said:

I say allegedly because almost as soon as I left the dealership it was noisy again

Check PMs.

[Woland]

Almost 500 pounds for a fuel module replacement ? Skoda is taking a hefty margin ! (even if paid by warranty)

 

To check if the pump was changed, just remove the rear seats bottom (it's attached with tabs) and open the plastic lid. You should see straight away if the module cover is new (clean) or old (dirty).