4 Best Quiet Electric Fuel Pump To Keep Your Vehicle Silent
It’s that little device that always goes under the radar that is so important. What am I talking about? Of course it is the electric fuel pump. Without it, fuel cannot reach the engine and your vehicle is as good as my son’s toy car.
What happens when you discover that your car is getting noisier? Could be it a lifter tick? Or are you experiencing road noise mainly?
My advice would be to give the fuel pump a check too, as sometimes it can throw up strange noises at you.
On the other hand, if you are looking to upgrade the one you have right now.
Whichever your situation, this post is written to help you find the best quiet electric fuel pump! I share my top choices, followed by a buying guide as well as some key factors to consider when choosing one.
At the end, there are also a bunch of common questions car owners ask about fuel pumps.
Let’s dive in.
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My Top Choice for the Best Quiet Electric Fuel Pump: Aeromotive A1000 Red Pump
In my experience, no other quiet electric fuel pump can beat Aeromotive A1000 Red Pump in its high power and quietness. If you are like me, who like fast and smooth rides, this is the best product for you.
Its shiny and rigid metal body gives it an excellent look. Moreover, you can operate it on heavy vehicles as well.
And on top of all, it lasts a long time, giving you value for its price.
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In a hurry? My top choice for the Best Quiet Electric Fuel Pump is:
This powerful and silent electric fuel pump have ORB-10 outlet and inlet ports. It will fit neatly when you mount it, and it will be a perfect choice for a ‘blow-through’ carbureted engine.
It is capable of delivering an amazing 1500 HP power for carbureted engines.
Not only that, it also supports forced engine inductions of up to 1200 HP.
- What I Like
- Quietest of all
- One of the most powerful one
- Extremely durable and long lasting
- What I Don’t Like
- It is not suitable for diesel
- Higher initial cost (but lasts longer)
Other top performing Quiet Electric Fuel Pump
To help you make a better and informed decision, I’ve also included some of the quietest fuel pumps you can find. Here you go:
Holley 12-427 Electric Fuel Pump
This is a quiet 12 volt electric fuel pump which is compatible with all fuel types.
You can find many versatile functions in it and it works good for most carbureted applications.
It has a solid state design and a simple 2 wire hook up.
From top to bottom, it has exclusively metal fittings.
- What I Like
- Won’t be hard on your pocket
- Does not corrode
- Has a great filter
- Can be used for a wide range of vehicles
- What I Don’t Like
- Somewhat noisy but only when the ignition is turned on
- Can be noisy also when you are running out of fuel
- Only good up to 300 HP
Carter P4601 HP Quiet in-line Electric Fuel Pump
This model is one of the most advanced fuel pumps out there. It has an internally regulated fuel pump of about 3.6 pounds.
There’s going to be no chance of shaft leaks or burn outs with this product. It has an internal pressure regulating valve which delivers a constant flow of fuel to the engine.
Its non-pulsating pump design can give you 4 to 6 psi of output. This one too is suited for carbureted application. You can use it with leaded, unleaded or diesel fuels.
- What I Like
- High performance
- Exceptional vehicle coverage
- Works very well for medium pressure application
- Solid manufacturing
- What I Don’t Like
- Has very small wires
- Not as durable as Aeromotive
Autobest F4027 Universal Electric Fuel Pump
This 12 volt quiet electric fuel pump have a 5/16 inch strainer inlet and hose bead type outlet. Its excellent ethanol tolerance makes it perfect for modern fuel systems. With this, you can have a pretty consistent performance in your vehicle.
One thing you should keep in mind is that it is meant for low pressure requirements only, plus it is only for gasoline. So, have your expectations within its reach.
- What I Like
- Well built metal body
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- A year of unlimited mileage warranty
- What I Don’t Like
- Its filter is not up to mark
- Non self priming
- Gets heated under high pressure
- May not last as long as other models here
Best Quiet Electric Fuel Pump Buying Guide
What kind of fuel pumps are there?
First of all, we should have our basics cleared. So, what is a fuel pump? It’s a component in motor vehicles located at or near the fuel tank. It performs the function of transferring the required amount of fuel at a certain pressure from the fuel tank to the engine.
We know mainly of two type of fuel pumps:
1. Mechanical fuel pumps
2. Electrical fuel pumps
Mechanical fuel pumps
Mechanical pumps were found in carbureted engines. They were used to draw fuel from the tank and pass it to the carburetor. They were regulated by an eccentric on the engine camshaft. These pumps were mounted outside the fuel tank or on the side of the cylinder in-line with engine.
You may be wondering why I am using past tense? That’s because mechanical pumps were a thing of past. You won’t find them in any new car.
Reason?
It’s due to the fact that engines started taking up fuel injections instead of carburetors. Mechanical fuel pumps functioned at low pressures while fuel injection systems pumped fuel at a far higher rate.
Therefore, their poor functionality and vanishing of carburetors caused mechanical pumps to vanish from the market.
Electrical fuel pumps
Electrical ones are the most commonly used fuel pumps. They get the fuel going in the engine a lot faster and efficiently. You can find them in engines having fuel injected systems.
They are mounted inside the fuel tank or in the engine compartment. This positioning allows it to use the fuel inside, hence causing the pump to cool. Also, it makes sure that the engine is getting securely enough fuel.
Some other reasons for which electrical fuel pumps took over mechanical ones :
- They have lower fuel consumption
- Being smaller and lighter, they remove the optional load from the engine
- These are considered to be a safer option because of having a device known as Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which controls the power of fuel pump
- They have a longer lifetime since there is no issue of overheating
What is an electric fuel pump and how does it work?
An electronic fuel pump is the device responsible for delivering the fuel from the fuel storage tank to the engine at a suitable pressure. I said suitable because :-
a. If the pressure is too low, there will not be enough fuel for the engine that can lead to misfire
b. If the pressure is too high, the engine will run rough, causing more pollution and wasting fuel
Now, let’s a little bit deeper.
There is a direct current motor in the pump assembly. When the ignition key is turned on, a voltage is supplied to this motor which causes it to spin. The motor then runs for a few seconds to build pressure. You may hear this as a humming sound.
The fuel is then drawn into the pump via an inlet tube and a filter system. The filter system is there to make sure that no dirt, rust or any other solid impurities get into the engine.
From this inlet tube, it then flows into the fuel line towards the engine. After which, it has to flow through the fuel supply rail. There’s a fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail to maintain the fuel pressure. You’ve already read why it’s important. Apart from that, it also sends back excessive fuel.
And, finally, after traveling so long, the fuel reaches the individual fuel injections. At this point, the fuel must be under high pressure to make it possible for the injectors to spray it into the engine.
And that’s how your car engine gets fuel to get you moving!
How to choose a quiet electrical fuel pump?
Buying a silent electric fuel pump can be tricky when you are not an expert of machineries. But that’s why I am here to provide you with a list of key features to look out for.
The following points should come under your consideration during your search.
Compatibility
First things first, be clear about what vehicle you want to use it in. Is it a truck or a small car? The same product may not work for different types of vehicle.
Now, before you make the purchase, make sure that it can fit your engine. You don’t want to waste your money, right?
Apply filters if you are buying on Amazon or get a technician to help you if you are in a shop. If you have the time to check around, simply shoot the manufacturer an email. On top of a quality product, I also value customer service very highly, so a simple question to them can tell you something about that.
To make a safe choice, you may want to consider a universal electric fuel pump. Though, I won’t recommend it as you will be compromising on some other factors.
Fuel type
Determine the fuel that is powering your engine and buy a fuel pump accordingly.
Most of the products work with all fuel types, so don’t worry. Just be sure that you don’t end up buying a fuel specific pump which cannot operate on your engine.
Noise level
After all this, you can start pondering over the noise issue. We all want to have a peaceful ride, which is why you’re here I suppose.
The products I’ve listed above are all suitable in this respect. But if you decide to buy on your own, tell your technician or Amazon about your needs and they’ll help.
You can find noise level details on most of the products.
Reason for buying
Have you considered why you are buying this fuel pump? Is this meant to be a basic replacement or are you trying to upgrade the existing one in your vehicle?
Also, you need to weight against the usage rate of your car. If this is a heavy usage vehicle, it makes a lot of sense to invest in a higher quality electric fuel pump rather than trying to save a few dollars.
Installation
Different products have different installation procedures. Some may be so easy that you won’t feel like you did something while others may even want you to call a professional.
Personally, I chose to install it on my own since I felt that it is not something overly complicated like changing an engine or needing specialty tools.
Most manufacturers will also include installation instructions to make life easier for you.
Here’s one I found for the Aeromotive model: installation guide
But in some cases, you may have no choice but to buy a complex one to fit your requirements.
Durability
A good product should give you value for your money and work smooth for as long as it lasts. To ensure that, buy from a reputable brand. They may even give you a lifetime warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is my electric fuel pump so loud?
The possible causes are:
- You might be running low on fuel. Your vehicle should be at least 1/4th full before going somewhere
- The fuel in your engine can be contaminated. You should consult a mechanic to check or it may cause some serious problems in future
- Maybe your fuel pump is unable to generate enough power due to wear and tear or over usage. You should consider replacing it with a more powerful one
- It can be a very old fuel pump that you are operating your vehicle on which can no longer perform well
What kind of noise does a bad fuel pump makes?
You will find that your fuel pump isn’t good if you hear loud whining, rattling or howling noises. Normally, you should hear only a quiet humming or whirring sound, that too only briefly when the ignition key is turned on.
How do you quiet a noisy fuel pump?
Refer to the causes I mentioned earlier in the first question and determine if your situation is similar. The solution can be one of the following:
- Filling up your fuel tank.
- Checking for contaminated fuel. Only a mechanic can help you with this one.
- Might not be the perfect solution but soundproofing your car hood an be a good short term solution before you replace your fuel pump
If none of the above works, there’s no choice other than to replace your existing pump and get a quieter electric fuel pump.
Can a bad fuel pump cause a misfire?
No doubt, it can. If your pump is not capable of generating enough pressure, it can lead to misfire. And not only that, it can also cause your engine to run lean, not being able to start properly and unable to accelerate.
Will a bad fuel pump throw a check engine sign?
It’s pretty unlikely but it can. If your engine is taking more attempts to start than usual, that means it needs more energy. In this case, your fuel pump can throw a check engine sign.
What are the signs that your fuel pump is going out?
If you encounter any of the following, it is time to check up on your vehicle fuel pump:
- If your vehicle often stumbles or hesitates at high speeds or going uphill
- When it is loses power under stressful situations like climbing a hill or while towing another machinery
- Being unable to accelerate
- If you notice that you have to refuel more often
- Engine not starting properly
In summary
Sure, the electric fuel pump can seem like a small and cheap part of your vehicle, but after this article, you have a keener sense of its importance.
Be sure to consider pick a few key factors from above to simplify your choice, and if you are really undecided, my recommendation is the Aeromotive A1000 Red Pump. Though it comes at a premium price, the performance outshines all its peers.
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