It's the fuel pump.

[Top Cat]

Well I stopped at the dealers yesterday to confirm my guess that the fuel pump on my Nomad is whining like a little baby :(
It is the fuel pump. I only have 35,000 on the bike.
My question is , does this mean it is on the way out and should I have it changed now.
Is there any guarantee the new one will not whine like this one is? The whining is very annoying but I don't know if it is $500 annoying ;)
Then again, I don't want to be stranded miles from home either.
Has anyone else had a similar problem with there Nomad?

[ndbigfish]

The fuel pump on my '99' went out at about 12,000 miles. Mine was leaking a stream of fuel. It is easy to change on the carburated model. A new pump was only $220 at that time. I can't speak to the whine.

[redjay]

My 05 (45,000 kms) fuel pump has been whining for the last 4,000 kms, no plans to replace it.

[Kawhead]

You can hear it over the engine and exhaust?

[dogdoc]

Now THAT would be a whine if it does.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by Kawhead

You can hear it over the engine and exhaust?

Yes I can and it is annoying as hell.

[Yellow Jacket]

If it's that loud I might consider replacing it. The peace of mind would probably be worth it. Don't even want to think about the new one whining. It shouldn't. . . but who knows?

[trosco]

Most of us with FI bikes can hear our bike's pump run to bring the fuel pressure up to the pressure the injectors require. It is supposed to run for 3 seconds and then shut off according to the service manual if you turn the ignition on but don't start the motor. But even with stock exhaust once the bike is running you never notice the pump cycling on and off to maintain pressure.

The pump is just an electric motor and like any electric motor when the bearings(often just bushings) get bad they become noisy signaling time to replace either the pump or the just the bearing if you are lucky. If Kaw says the part is $500 you should be able to find it somewhere else (salvage yard?) for much much less. Life of the pump should be life of the bike so buying one a couple years old of a wrecked bike should not be a issue. Reading the service manual, pump replacement would be very easy so at least do the work yourself

Does your pump noise stop after 3 seconds if you turn the ignition on but don't press the starter? If it doesn't then the manual says you should check the voltage input to the pump as you may have another problem that's within the ECU or fuel pump relay external to the pump that has resulted in your pump dying. It could also be a bad pressure regulator placing to much demand on the pump or a clogged fuel filter interfering with the flow from the pump but both are part of the pump and not separately maintainable?

But in any case, if your pump runs louder than your motor and/or runs all the time you have a problem that is going to strand you somewhere, sooner or later!

[Yellow Jacket]

+1 trosco. That was a great explanation!

[macmac]

+1 trosco.... The injection system will run the pump all the time with the engine running to keep a pre set pressure up. The carbed pump will start and stop, and run at a less psi around 3 psi, a far cry from injection systems.

There is no question one or both bearing in the pump motor are bad, the other questions are how long with a motor run with bad bearings, and can they be replaced on an individual basis.

[ringadingh]

You should be able to find a complete tank somewhere for a lot less than that.

[Top Cat]

Thanks for the replys so far guys.
Yes the pump will run when I turn the key and bring things up to pressure. If I don't start the bike it dosen't keep pumping or making a noise. Once I start the bike the whining starts.
the way i understand it the fuel pump, filter, bearings, etc. are all one unit and not servicable.

Life of the pump should be life of the bike so buying one a couple years old of a wrecked bike should not be a issue. I don't know about this, if that were true my pump would not be on its way out.
Other than that , great explination trosco,Thanks.
Steve, thats a good idea, I didn't think of that.
Anybody know off hand what years I would need to be looking for to get a fuel pump that would fit? I have a 2007 1600.

[macmac]

Well I would expect a pump to last into around 75,000 miles, and over that in some cases. I have a OEM orginal in my vovlo car and it has 250,000 miles +.

CIS injection (continus injection system) This system runs about 70 psi which varries to well over than on turbo demand. These are not electronic injectors however, and work like 4 garden hoses spraying fuel mist all the time just above the intake valves.

The type we have is a older style than my car, which was current in 85'. The possition of the T plate tells the ecu about how much air there is and the other senders tell it other things which run the ecu, and allow for more and less fuel all based on the T plate.

You can look at any 05 and up 1600 for pumps and or whole tanks. The 1500 has a different pump and a different set up.

[redjay]

TC. I am guessing that a pump from an 05 to 08 will certainly work, possibly some years before that. Check www.ronayers.com online microfiche for part numbers through the years.

[johnb]

+1 Trosco. It's great to have you and Mac and the guys here to give us these clear explanations with not only the how to replace but more important, the how to troubleshoot. I know I didn't mention everyone one of you who are experienced mechanics, but I appreciate you all! Even though I don't have the problem described right now, I learn something from every one of these posts.