High pitched noise - fuel pump?

beatle

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When stopped, I'm able to hear a very high pitched noise. It changes very slightly when the signal is on, which makes me think it's a somewhat electric noise. Maybe it's the fuel pump? The bike runs perfectly fine, but the noise is a bit annoying. I've never been on another FZ6 in person to compare, but the Ninja 650 I had before this didn't have such a noise. Any ideas?
 

Daniel_Aus

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My '08 FZ6N also makes a noise like this. It never seems to change pitch and I can only hear it when idling. :don'tknow:
 

TownsendsFJR1300

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When stopped, I'm able to hear a very high pitched noise. It changes very slightly when the signal is on, which makes me think it's a somewhat electric noise. Maybe it's the fuel pump? The bike runs perfectly fine, but the noise is a bit annoying. I've never been on another FZ6 in person to compare, but the Ninja 650 I had before this didn't have such a noise. Any ideas?

I can't hear mine at all except at start up (aftermarket pipes). I never noticed the pump(except start up), even with the stock muffler on either...

If you have a spare key, start the bike and open the tank cap, (preferably with it being half full or less). Listen and see if the noise is indeed eminating from the pump (inside the tank). I would think a fuller tank would dampen/hide the noise, an emptier tank, the noise, if its the pump, would indeed be louder..

BTW, did you happen to run the pump dry lately? I ask as the fuel in the tank helps cool the pump.

Please post your results..
 

beatle

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I checked for noise on an almost empty tank today. I could hear the pump whining even without opening the tank, but after opening it, the noise became more prevalent. I also have aftermarket pipes (oval Scorpions) but the sound frequency of the pump is much higher and is not cancelled out by the exhaust.

I've never run the pump dry, though I'm not sure if the previous owner ever did.
 

TownsendsFJR1300

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Well, there's really not much you can do with it. May be somewhat normal, probably not. I'd run it till/IF the pump quits and just save up for just in case...

They generally burn out from debris getting into the filter, as for whining, I don't that's been mentioned as a pre cursor...

In my experiance, a whine from any motor, generally indicates a bearing(s) beginning to fail... Especially IF it was quiet before...

If doing a long road trip, might not be a bad idea to change it out vs being at the mercy of a stealership...

Keep your eye open here as bikes are often being parted out, including fuel pumps...

Good luck...
 

fb40dash5

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I've never heard a high-pressure (EFI) fuel pump that doesn't whine when it's running. Other than ones that aren't running anymore. :p One of the first hints when I get a crank-no-start at the shop.
 

TownsendsFJR1300

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I only hear mine when it primes before start up.

Never heard it whine while underway but I usually keep at least a half tank of fuel in it..

My old, 04 FJR (slightly different pump) didn't have any whine while running, again, short of initial prime and that bike was quiet.
 
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fb40dash5

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I can hear mine over a sitting idle, not while riding though. You ever driven a mid-90's Ford truck? You can hear those fuel pumps half a block away, they're freakin' LOUD.

Never noticed a correlation on the FZ between fuel level and pump noise. *shrug*
 

Daniel_Aus

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Been testing this a bit today. Tank is very low on fuel and it's definitely more noticeable. Also noticed the noise kinda goes away when revving the bike much over idle.

Going by all the replies, nothing to worry about :D
 

Tomweir1988

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I went skiing for a week in Austria and sadly put my bike away in the garage free of any high pitched idle whine....when i arrived back home itching to get back on her i went straight out and i noticed the unusual high pitched noise (exactly the same as the ignition fuel pump primer sound) immediately, mostly at traffic lights or stationary/idle. really annoying me, but as long as it's not affecting performance (she's running sweet as a Swiss watch) i will just stick it out until i do my trip across europe, then i'll replace it. cheers everyone!!

ATGATT
 

TownsendsFJR1300

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I had the same high pitched noise and after reading this thread I tired to ignore it.. A year later I found someone selling a fuel pump cheap. So I went for it.. and let me tell you. The High pitched noise after you turn the key is normal.. any noise after that is not normal. Mine now makes no noise after the tachometer goes back to zero... Bike runs way better, feels like it responds better to the throttle and engine sounds healthier.. My bike is a 07 FZ6 with 15k miles. I think all depends on how much you take care of the bike, my bikes PO didnt do a good job with everything else so letting it sit there for too long adding cheap or dirty fuel will mess up your pump not matter how many miles your clock has..

JON

I still have the original fuel pump 17,000 miles. Its rare I have less than 1/2 tank of fuel in it (that may be extending the life of it, ??)

You can hear it spin up initially turning the key on, but after that, its quiet.

Idles dead smooth at 1,000 RPM,s, no vibes, will literally start rolling with just light clutch (no throttle) and will flat get it....
 

JONJONsocal

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I still have the original fuel pump 17,000 miles. Its rare I have less than 1/2 tank of fuel in it (that may be extending the life of it, ??)

You can hear it spin up initially turning the key on, but after that, its quiet.

Idles dead smooth at 1,000 RPM,s, no vibes, will literally start rolling with just light clutch (no throttle) and will flat get it....

Keeping the pump under gas is the way to go. I know it works on cars... If you take care of the bike in general it should last 100k+ miles IMO

Jon

Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk
 

wagnerone

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My 2005 (20k miles) does this loud enough I came here looking to see if it's normal. Mine is annoying and (to me anyway) conspicuous while sitting on the bike. I think the whine pulses with the turn signal on mine too at least sometimes.
 

dlo2020

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I just bought a 2005 FZ6N, same story as the above 5 years ago :)

My 2005 (20k km) does this loud enough I came here looking to see if it's normal. Mine is annoying to me, too, but considering the above, I don't have the idea it's a real problem... I hope I get used to it.

Is there anything one can actually DO about it so it goes away forever? It seems that not all high-pressure (EFI) fuel pumps are that noisy... Is it about a transformer?
 
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