Hi everyone!

Today I had a new noise from the car.

I was driving steadily between 40-50mph when I hear a high pitched whirring sound not too dissimilar to when an extractor fan bearings start to fail. It sounded like it was coming from the centre console area. The noise did not change with engine revs or car speed, but was impacted and affected by load on the engine - i.e. if i gently accelerated it got a little louder, and went quiet again when i let off the accelerator. It started quiet but grew louder during the short journey.

As we arrived at my destination the final left turn’s weight shift seemed to ‘sort it out’ and it went away.

A little later on the return journey it started again, but this time remained as i pulled up for a brief stop. When i got out of the car, i could hear the noise from the engine bay so popped the bonnet and engine cover. The noise appeared to be coming from the right side of the engine, but could not tell where from??? The source of the noise was difficult to locate but it did seem to be around where the injectors are located. But as we know it could have easily been under the engine with the sound bouncing around

I have changed the Alternator, Water Pump, AC Compressor and all belts and pulleys with new genuine parts, and the belts look to be in good condition.

My initial fear was that it was drive train related, but as the sound didnt change with speed changes i am ruling that out. My best guess is that it is a fixed speed pump / motor of some sort but not sure what is in that general area that would cause that.

For what its worth, I used my FBH before leaving (but dont think the noise is coming from there), the engine was warm when it started, and it had a mini blast not long beforehand (with the warm engine). I also cleaned my throttle body and plenum, but again can’t see how that would be involved with this.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what this could be, or how to locate the source? Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

Last edited by Ffrr-lover on 23rd Jun 2024 10:40am. Edited 2 times in total

Turn the heater fan on when you hear the noise, see what happens...... I recall once having a scary noise which turned out to be something in the fan. The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom

Cheers JMC
I recently changed the fan unit in the car, so know that sound all too well
I did also turn off all fans which made no difference. Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

So today I spent some time investing this noise and have found the source.
It’s the high pressure fuel pump… specifically from the fuel supply area.

I can feel the vibrations on the fuel in pipe, but not the others.

It seems a little odd that it’s just from that pipe

Looking at the RAVE manuals, the removal of the fuel pump requires a few special tools.

Is there an easy / quick fix for this issue, or is it new pump time?? Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

Is the fuel filter overdue for a change?

Possibly. I don’t know when last changed. I did order a new one for its last service, but was sent the wrong one. Am just sorting out its replacement.
However, if I hold the pipe between the filter and hpfp I can feel it vibrating along it’s metal sheathed length by the engine, and less so with the plastic section to the filter. (And no it’s not vibrating because it’s resting on the engine)
This to me suggests it’s the pump. But, would be happy to see that the filter fixes it

The last few journeys haven’t had the noise. The only difference between those journeys is that I didn’t rev enough for the second turbo. So far, the two journeys where the noise has started have both been after giving her a boot, or Italian tune up.
When appropriate, it try it again to see if it’s coincidence or not. Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

My fuel pump started to make a worrying loud noise and all I did was to use some good quality fuel system cleaner. Coincidence it stopped the noise? I don't know because it didn't make the noise all the time.

Interesting.
Coincidently today I gave her a dose of diesel cleaner to help “spruce her up”. Let’s see if that helps over the coming weeks. And maybe along with the fuel filter replaced it may solve this! I’d be happy with a quick fix… as replacing the fuel pump is a bit… er… involved  Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

Keep in mind the issue with the connector wiring to the fuel pressure sensor although that reportedly results in fuel pressure too low causing the engine to stall while idling rather than excessive pressure that could cause a vibration.

Cheers Graeme
I’m not aware of the hpfp connector issues. Is it a case of checking and rectifying the connections in that connector? Or something further down the loom?
I’ve had no low pressure or stalling issues so far…
I read elsewhere that not all faults are shown with the IIDTool, and you need to enable a few options (it may have been one if your posts) so will try that next time I’m out with the car… Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

A replacement harness section is used to fit a new connector. LTB01083.

The new fuel filter finally arrived… except it was rattling!
Frustratingly damaged in transit so having to wait longer for its replacement!!!  Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

Hello . I just wanted to check if you sorted this as my 2012 4.4 tdv8 is doing the same. The car broke down, fitted a new fuel filter, bled some air out and managed to start her but now high pitch resonance coming from return pipes i think from hpfp. I think its air in the system still . How did you get on ? Thanks graham

I finally received a new filter a few days ago, and swapped them last night.
Today, I gave the car an Italian drive and no more noise. So far so good, however let’s give it a bit longer before claiming victory.

On mine, the noisy part was related to the fuel feed into the hpfp. You could feel and see that pipe vibrating when the noise was there, and was clearly originating from the pump itself. I’ll try to get a picture and post it for information…

It has been suggested that the secondary fuel pump can also cause similar issues, but am confident in my case it wasn’t causing issues. Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

This is where the noise was emanating from for me…