whiny fuel pump
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
whiny fuel pump
After nearly 50,000 miles, my 18 Road Glide must need some attention, the fuel pump has been a little whiny lately. Last ride its cry for help got a little louder, weird to me though is its louder on the side stand. Ordered up a fuel pump retainer tool from Jims. Gotta love these modern bikes. Good Times
Last edited by sixguns; Mar 1, 2020 at 09:46 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 463
From: USA
Seems premature for a pump failure with that mileage. Could happen I suppose.
Have you ever used a fuel additive? Had a bike like that with low mileage. After a couple tanks running addictive seemed to quiet it down.
Have you ever used a fuel additive? Had a bike like that with low mileage. After a couple tanks running addictive seemed to quiet it down.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,672
Likes: 11,459
From: State of Confusion
I've had a whistling noise before with gas cap on coming from the tank.recall it was a really hot day but don't remember what the fuel level was but was with engine off and rested on jiffy stand..you sound like you got it isolated and identified though
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 532
Likes: 211
From: Armstrong, BC
Mine is still in winter storage, but it had the same issue last season (and still does). So far with the M8s, i believe its pretty rare. Until today, I've only read of one other with the whining. I don't recall the other guy posting his results.
Mine started out as intermittent, but became more frequent by the end of the season. There seemed to be no constant situation when it occurs. Occurred when cold at start-up, but went away after a while. No whine at start-up, but came on after a while. Fuel level didn't seem to have an effect. The odd time (but not often) the whine would stop when I hit a bump or shifted. Pitch/volume tended to change. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting to remove the gas cap or re-seat it when it was winning.
Of course it was nice and quiet after riding 130 km to the dealer last year. I suspect the pump itself is fine, but wondered about changing out the the plastic innards (fuel hose, housings and filter. I spoke with a tech there 2 weeks ago. He suggested that the first/easiest/cheapest route would be to try a new gas gap. Of course they don't have one in stock, and ordering takes forever in Canada as of late.
Thanks for posting, and I look forward to your results when you get in there.
Mine started out as intermittent, but became more frequent by the end of the season. There seemed to be no constant situation when it occurs. Occurred when cold at start-up, but went away after a while. No whine at start-up, but came on after a while. Fuel level didn't seem to have an effect. The odd time (but not often) the whine would stop when I hit a bump or shifted. Pitch/volume tended to change. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting to remove the gas cap or re-seat it when it was winning.
Of course it was nice and quiet after riding 130 km to the dealer last year. I suspect the pump itself is fine, but wondered about changing out the the plastic innards (fuel hose, housings and filter. I spoke with a tech there 2 weeks ago. He suggested that the first/easiest/cheapest route would be to try a new gas gap. Of course they don't have one in stock, and ordering takes forever in Canada as of late.
Thanks for posting, and I look forward to your results when you get in there.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
Really hard to describe noises, When I first heard this noise it was intermittent at stops and sounded like a faint elec motor hum. suppose it could be described as a hissing, .When I got home last night, its louder, pull the cap and its in the tank. With the cap on I cant hear it when the bike is upright, lean it over on the stand and I can hear it. The leaning over part makes me think I need to make sure nothing is touching and vibrating against the tank or loose as well, it would be cool if it were just a defective cap letting the sound out, Interesting.... I will for sure provide an update.
Last edited by sixguns; Mar 2, 2020 at 10:21 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 532
Likes: 211
From: Armstrong, BC
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Simi Valley, CA
My 2011 Limited always made fuel pump noises that initially concerned me. 103,000 miles later when I traded it in it was still functioning just fine.
After that experience I'd never concern myself with a little noise, especially a whine. Now if I could here it grinding itself up then I might be concerned.
After that experience I'd never concern myself with a little noise, especially a whine. Now if I could here it grinding itself up then I might be concerned.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 718
From: Indianapolis
Had my '18 out for the first time of 2020 a couple days ago. I was letting it idle and get warm while I checked tire pressure. When I got on to go, I could hear the fuel pump whirring. Don't recall hearing that anytime before. I'm wondering if it didn't get a little gummy sitting over the winter. If it keeps it up, I'll try a little Marvel's and see if it doesn't help. I'm honestly not worried about it. Sounds just like the pump on both of my sportbikes. Both of them sound like that, but you can't really hear it over the engines.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 463
From: USA
Had my '18 out for the first time of 2020 a couple days ago. I was letting it idle and get warm while I checked tire pressure. When I got on to go, I could hear the fuel pump whirring. Don't recall hearing that anytime before. I'm wondering if it didn't get a little gummy sitting over the winter. If it keeps it up, I'll try a little Marvel's and see if it doesn't help. I'm honestly not worried about it. Sounds just like the pump on both of my sportbikes. Both of them sound like that, but you can't really hear it over the engines.