Ed...my 87 buzzed like a can of bees on a hot day...never once did the car fail due to the pump...the noise was more noticeable in my 87 than my GT....
In 89, GT I think, Porsche went back to the two pump setup. Yours should only have one..
Also, when the tank is empty and on hot days..the buzzing gets louder.
Get the spare pump just in case..and drive with the exisiting one..

Good luck on the trip.
Later,
Tom
89GT

P.S. The one time I thought the pump was bad..it was ..of course....relay relay relay...hope you are carrying a few #53 spares...

 

Thanks guys!

Update: Ernest in NYC hooked me up with Earl down in Philly and we're going to do some work in the car today. Earl found a used fuel pump, so we'll throw that in (after confirming its the fuel pump). We're also going to check the TB tension, oil change, and we'll take a look at the front end (got a slight shimmy at 80 +).

We'll also do a wheel balance and an alignment. I think that is all we have planned, but this will be great, so a huge thanks to Ernest for getting me hooked up with Earl.

I'l try to report back in once we're done and I start the road trip proper. -Ed

 

Ed,

I get the same shimmy at 80+, I just found that I've got a bent tie-rod! Hope it's not anything that bad for you. Are you sure you want to do all this work on the way across the country?

From all the posts, I would suggest keeping the existing FP in the tank and just carrying the spare, especially since the one he's got for you is already used and he's going to be doing other work. You're a few hours from there and will be looking to get on the road, no?

 

I had a buzzing sound on my 87 S4 after running a few weeks on various injector cleaners in the fuel mix...replaced the fuel filter and the buzz was gone.

Good luck on your trip out west! MM

 

I have this definite buzz going as well (86.0).

I've recently been using injector cleaners and Sta-Bil.

How would changing out the fuel Filter possibly eliminate this vibration?

 

If the filter is slightly clogged due to junk loosened up in the fuel tank.

 

I don't understand how a filter in any condition could start vibrating... Unless it wasn't
getting constant pressure from the pump, in which case it's a pump problem. Or if it had stuff actually bouncing around in it I suppose.

Maybe a clogged filter would cause the pressure to increase and that would cause the pump to
vibrate? In any case, changing out the fuel filter again isn't such a bad idea.

 

Bingo.

 

All,

You may already have this saved as a web favorite, so regret any duplication.

But George A Suennen's 928 website is so great it's worth repeating. See his mechanical section for pictures of fuel pump and filter replacement -- http://sis125.berkeley.edu/928/

 

Update: spent the afternoon working at Earl's place outside of Philly.

Holy Cow! Alls I can say is Captain Earl is the MAN! He has gone above and beyond helping me with my car. I am paying him for his services, but I can honestly say I am getting a major bargain.

AND, since we were not done with all the work we decided we should do, Earl has generously offered for me to stay over at his place. So I am now in my own guest room on my laptop typing away in complete and total comfort.

Who is better then me?

Ok, back to the update. We:

Replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter. Buzz is gone. Old pump is in the car as a spare. YEAH!
Checked the TB tension: belt was way loose! Tightened it up to spec, checked the one sprocket, its fine, belt looks good.
Checked tranny oil.
Changed motor oil and filter.
Checked tie rod ends - they are ok.
Checked wheel bearings - fronts are loose, we will adjust them tomorrow.
Determined my steering rack mounts are shot - will not deal with that now.
Measured right height.
We may have done more stuff, I just can't remember.

Tomorrow we will:
Tighten up the front wheel bearings.
Balance tires.
Alignment.

Then I head out on the road confident that the car has been fairly thoroughly looked over and prepped for the trip.

I can't say enough about the helping hand that Earl and others have extended to me. -Ed

 

Earl is an allaround great guy, very nice to deal with I've gathered: sooo you're in good hands .

 

Excellent news Ed............the power of the 'List indeed.

Now if I want to go to Novia Scotia and back this fall is there any...............

 

Ed wrote:
Hey Ed, don't know how old your WP is, but it may not be a bad idea to see if Earl will set you up with another one (if he has one in stock) with the gasket to take on the road with you if it is a high mileage pump. You could then return it to him if you go the distance without issue. Just giving some conservative advice here, not trying to spook ya. Louie bought a 32v S in Cali, tightened a loose T-belt, and the old WP bearing couldn't take it.

 

Hmm, I had not considerd that, but that is a good idea. And I was planning on doing a Timing belt/water pump rr shortly after I got back anyway.

Thanks Adam, I'll look into that.