Another "Is this normal?" question - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Padawan · 12-03-2008, 10:58 AM

Today, I noticed a slight but obvious whirring / whoosing noise coming from the floor right near the passenger seat bottom. My first guess would be the fuel pump, but I want to check with others to see if it's "normal". Any input?

Karl Roth · 12-03-2008, 11:07 AM

Could you be hearing the HVAC fan dying? How much airflow do you have with the fan set on high? The fan/motor is in the center stack rather than the floor but the sound source can be tricky. If the fan on high is less than a hurricane, that would be my first guess without seeing the car.
karl

**JPaul** · 12-03-2008, 11:33 AM

Do you hear that "noise" only for a short period of time just after starting the engine, or continuously? Can you be more specific? Thanks.

**jwight** · 12-03-2008, 11:45 AM

Hey, as long as it's between (or among) consenting adults, who are we to say?

Padawan · 12-03-2008, 12:49 PM

it's definitely not the fan, since it works fine on all speeds and the noise occurs with the fan off. It is a constant noise whenever the car is running, and definitely coming from near the battery. After work I'll see if it starts with the key set to "ON", which might confirm the fuel pump idea.

windscythe · 12-03-2008, 01:59 PM

I have the exact same noise and it is constant. I found I can hear it from outside the car as well if I put my head down next to the passenger side undercarriage. It is definitely loudest from underneath the passenger seat.

I took my car into the dealership to look into a few issues and described this to them as well. I used the same terminology "whirring/wooshing." They couldn't seem to hear it though they did find that I needed a new driver side speaker, so I know they really did check out my issues.

Old smart · 12-03-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padawan

... My first guess would be the fuel pump, but I want to check with others to see if it's "normal". Any input?

If it was the fuel pump you would hear it distinctly cycling about three times per second. To verify that sound/frequency, just remove the gas cap and listen down the fuel filler pipe with the engine running.

grwhitaker · 12-03-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old smart

If it was the fuel pump you would hear it distinctly cycling about three times per second. To verify that sound/frequency, just remove the gas cap and listen down the fuel filler pipe with the engine running.

So, do I light the match before or after I have removed the gas cap to see what I am doing? I'm a former blonde, so I confuse easily...

mvaldes · 12-04-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grwhitaker

So, do I light the match before or after I have removed the gas cap to see what I am doing? I'm a former blonde, so I confuse easily...

It may qualify you for the Darwin awards, but it's not funny in real life. I saw a gas tanker truck driver who did just that to look down the hatch on the top of the tank. (He was burned over 90% of his body, he didn't make it.)

smartSEATTLE · 12-08-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padawan

Today, I noticed a slight but obvious whirring / whoosing noise coming from the floor right near the passenger seat bottom. My first guess would be the fuel pump, but I want to check with others to see if it's "normal". Any input?

Sounds like it could be your fuel pump, they all make a little noise but I have replaced 2 here at the shop as they made a pretty loud noise. Seemed to get worse when the tank was full.

There is a bit of foam padding in the floor, but as the pump is right under you it can still be a bit loud.