hey there,

i have a 2003 audi a4 avant 1.8t quattro.

so the situation is i ended up running my car out of gas this morning. When i threw some gas in the car and got it running again, i noticed a pulsating whining sound coming from the rear-end of the car. I am wondering if maybe with my car runing out of gas, my fuel pump may have been trying to continue pumping air perhaps?

any suggestions would be much appreciated!

cheers,
simon

 

First off you don't need to hear from anyone that you shouldn't run empty on any car. Having said that yes, the noise you heard was the fuel pump. At this point I would change the fuel filter ASAP and then monitor your fuel pump sounds. Changing the filter is always a good preventative measure to save the fuel pump.

Let us know how you make out?

 

My fuel pump died last year. I hope yours is okay, the replacement is not cheap.

 

I got an OEM replacement pump for $335 and did the work myself. Its fairly easy, pump is right under the backseat. lots of DIYs on the net. I recommend you borrow the pump removal tool, and not use a hammer and screwdriver like i did. Unless you like gasoline on your face.

 

Lets make sure the fuel pump is done for before any work is carried out. Is the pump making noise now that you have a full tank of gas? Are you experiencing any difficulty right now? Change the fuel filter regardless and let us know?

 

bought the filter today... going to install it tomorrow and see if it makes a difference.
yes the tank had a full tank of gas when the noise started, and the whinning noise seems to come and go the last couple of days since monday. on another note; i am not experiencing any lag and acceleration issues since this happend.

any futher suggestions ?

cheers,
simon

 

could anybody tell me the secret to taking the fuel lines off of the fuel filter without breaking anything.... just a little worried i might ***k them up.

cheers,
simon