Fuel Tank / Pump Hissing (Washing-Machine) Noise

[Lady T]

Thank you Loz, I am really grateful for all your questions and support...
Aircon...that is interesting, I have the aircon on off position...You say the aircon compressor is above the passenger footwell and runs a variable pressure always running even when disconnected... this is My next learning and check to do... Do You mean inside the passenger side left/behind the seat being the aircon vent and the compressor is underneath? I have a panel van/left side slide door and the air con vent is behind the driver right side... does this mean the aircon compressor is situated right side underneath?
The sound I am hearing is left side although the sound is more back wheel arch/left slide door...When I was looking at the diagram of the fuel system again last night I was wondering about the fuel filter No 3 on the diagram and the high pressure up to 2000bar...Where is the fuel filter located? The fuel lift pump supply pressure is 4.0-6.0bar lifting the fuel from the tank through the fuel filter-pressure at 2000bar -through to the Dual plunger high pressure fuel pump in the engine... I was wondering between No 1 fuel lift pump pressure 4.0-6.0 and No2 tank maintained pressure (5.79 pressure reading given) and No3 fuel filter, are these all located left side back wheel arch area and could a No1 fuel lift pump that is confirmed/VW Mechanic, as a loud amplified pump sound compared to a normal fuel lift pump in a 204PS, then create a loud amplified sounding No3 fuel filter high pressure 2000bar as the fuel is then pressure flow pumped through to Engine/No4 dual plunger high pressure pump? Everything regarding No1 Issue loud hissing/toilet cistern sound is in the back left side area just under the wheel arch... No2 Issue of Fuel sloshing around when I stop at traffic lights or turn left or right - sloshes around like a heavy load of liquid water in a washing machine, now I am driving with between 3/4 to nearly half a tank of fuel and the sloshing is still exaggerated however the sound is slightly reduced compared to a full tank!
I am pushing VWUK today for appointment at VW Sheffield... VW Citygate through their inexperience took ‘All Instructions from VWUK Technical Support Team Milton Keynes’
It is VWUK that instructed the ‘Training Program’ by email instructing the Mechanic to break the seal on No1 Fuel lift pump and take photo’s (interesting investigation with photo’s and sound issue!) Since this work experience trip VW Citygate have been on with My No1 fuel lift pump the problem is exaggerated and sounds worse! I am extremly focused on an experienced Master Tech diagnosing this problem as one would expect a Master Technician to know each and every part extremly well and be able to immediately detect a fault with a Fuel lift pump sound by just listening!...Sensing from the experience of working on other EU6/204PS fuel injection systems!

 

[Dellmassive]

Just to add my bit, (From a T5.1 180ps to T6 204ps)

i noticed the fuel tanks sloshing noise straight away on the first day of being a T6 owner after 7 years in a T5.1..... it was obvious and not noticed it in the T5 before.

so im starting to thing the tanks maybe different and possibly have no baffles........(not forgetting the Euro6 AdBlu tank is also under there)

its also been mentioned that the fuel lifter and high pressure pump can be noisy for the first few hundred miles......but will quieten down eventually....

and also that 204ps engine has the twin-piston high pressure pump.... all the lower PS versions have a single piston pump.....(so the 204 pump will be noisier...but gets quiter over time)


another thing i have noticed as soon as the ignition is switched on...... is a kinda electric punp/fan noise from the engine bay. im not 100% yet but i think its some kind of electric circulation water pump? maybe for the EGR cooler or induction charge cooler?

And Lastly if your Near London..... Then try VW CV Loughton, (Jardienes motor group) thats where we go, might be worth a visit to have a look.

 

[Loz]

Not quite;
The pump is on the engine and driven by the auxiliary belt, the pipes then carry presurised (hot)gas to the condenser behind the front grill, then to the Evaporator in the blower behind the glove box where it cools the air passing through it then back to the pump and so on.
For the evaporator to do its job the gas is presurised by the pump and passes through a restriction, this release causes the gas to evaporate and this process cools the pipes in the evaporator and is what cools the air in the cabin.


..So, what I was hearing was the wooshing sound of the gas through the evaporator.

I hope that makes sence?

 

[Dan M]

I had a caddy courtesy van and the sloshing of the fuel (even though it was full to the top) was unbearable. It was completely unlined but sounded horrendous, the whole Caddy experience was embarrassing.

 

[Lady T]

Apologies to everyone on the T6 Forum...I have been going through a lot in life recently and this has been the reason for not coming back to everyone about my first and second in desperation help me Brand New Van posts!..."T6 Fuel Pump Hissing and Washing Machine Sloshing Tank Noise".
I am so very grateful to T6 forum and all the members help and support and experience sharing as this has truly helped. I was given so much helpful advice and support and the best solution was given regarding
Brand New VW Vans and Warranty Issues... The advise given... To go to Sheffield VW dealership JCT600 and seek the help of the experienced technicians and in particular...Craig/Foggy who is very experienced with High Spec VW Vans.
I drove up the M1 with a Fuel Pump Hissing so load it really made me nervous!..I arrived in Sheffield feeling so confused and anxious with VW Dealership's and buying a Brand New VW..Faulty Van as the original VW dealership garage in Collingdale London where I made the purchase had given me so much C**P regarding a serious warranty issue with an obviously "Faulty Hissing Fuel Pump" after only 10 days of owning the Brand New High Spec ordered from the factory,VW Van... Saying that the Hissing Fuel Pump was "Normal" and the Sloshing Fuel Tank was "Normal"!...With absolutely no experience in selling or servicing a Brand New High Spec VW Van...Let alone dealing with any Warranty Issues!
Within 10 minutes of arriving at the VW dealership in Sheffield and having a little drive around the area with the technician Craig...It was diagnosed immediately the Hissing Fuel Pump was Faulty!!! (I was not going Mad)...And the fuel sloshing about in the tank was noted and heard and commented on being not normal. Once they had put the van up on the ramp and taken the fuel pump out, they could see that not only had it been faulty the idiots at VW dealership Colindale in London, had also damaged it around the seal area!
The Faulty Fuel Pump under warranty was changed immediately with a Brand New Fuel Pump and then they further discovered that VW dealership in London had unnessarily drained the fuel tank to take out the fuel pump and they had also oddly drained the add blue tank and this was now only half full! They also found that VW dealership in London had not set up the Brand New VW Van correctly when it had been delivered to them from the VW factory, a normal proceedure for the sale of Brand New ordered Vans! They discovered so many faults regarding the actual set up of the VW van required to be carried out by the dealership before handing over the Van to a customer, so many faults that I can not even list everything here!! The fuel sloshing sound was still there with the fuel tank being over three quarters full...I said that I was so happy and so relieved with a New Fuel Pump and a VW Transporter Van actual set up correctly from the factory that I would keep driving and filling up the fuel tank and monitoring the Fuel tank washing machine sloshing sounds and when I have done a few refills and enough driving with the New Van with more miles on the clock and constant monitoring of the sloshing sounds that it was the best option as clearly any VW Warranty issues were handled professionally at VW dealership Sheffield and the technician Craig said this was a good idea and best to drive and see if replacing the Faulty Fuel Pump helped the "Sloshing Fuel" issue and that I can go back to them whenever I wanted if I did feel this was still sloshing about and they would be happy to take a look at this other "Fuel Tank Sloshing Issue" to resolve it.
“The Fuel Tank washing machine sloshing sounds are still happening when I fill up over the 3 quarters full tank! I have now done over 1000 miles and many refill testings! And I will write these observations in another post for all of us on T6 Forum with sloshing fuel tanks to be able to help each other with this crazy issue that some of us are suffering!"
I am so truly grateful that I have been given the support from a T6 Forum member to go to the VW Van dealership JCT600 in Sheffield for expert Technicians! And I recommend that anyone with any Warranty issues not being diagnosed correctly with a Brand New VW Van "Fuel Pump Hissing" does this also....
I am going to go to Sheffield VW for all VW 3 year Warranty Issues and 2 years VW complementary Servicing It maybe a bit of a drive for some however it is so important to get professional experts and technical support with VW vans as it appears the average VW Van dealerships can make you feel like you are going mad and you do not know what you are talking about and make dealing with 3 year warranty issues on a Brand New VW Van a complete nightmare!! Making a complete mockery of buying a Brand New VW Van whatever the Spec with 3 years warranty!! Let alone the 2 years Servicing!!!! from a lot of the average VW Dealerships.
Sheffield VW Dealership JCT600 are extremely experienced in all VW Vans every model, shape and bred and they are very experienced in high spec VW Vans...
When my treasured New VW Transporter was up on the ramp I laughed... I call my VW Van BigBoy and he looked like a very little baby boy with all the other BigBoy vans and there High Specs and Techs and incredible all important personalised Pimped bits! VW Sheffield technicians are really genius and the vans they work on are of any spec however it is impressive when you see to what level of high spec vans they are working on daily! JCT 600 Sheffield web page says... Welcome to your happy place...This is the most true and honest statement...
Thanks to T6 Forum and all the experience members advice, help, guidance and support not to mention all the encouragement to not give up when certain VW dealerships and garages make you feel mad! I can be so very very grateful and feel so much part of a VW T6 Forum and VW Van Family that me, Lady T and my treasured BigBoy/Baby Boy compared to some BigBoy Vans can enjoy so much fun together with everyone alike with their passions... I am so delighted...now I can move into the exciting part of owning my dream T6 VW Transporter Van with a Brand New Fuel Pump that does not Hiss like a broken toilet cistern! and start meeting all the VW Specialist's and being able to Super Tune Up, Pimp Up, Modify and Fly... I am so excitited to come to the shows and the events and meet as many members and their treasured VW vans as I can and I am delighted to join in with T6 Forum and all members and contribute and support in anyway I can...

 

[Shredder]

Glad it all worked out so well in the end

The reason you saw so many high spec / pimped vans there and the reason I recommended the place, is that they have a close working relationship with Leighton Vans. JCT (Sheffield) do all of Leighton's PDI's and Warranty work etc, as Leighton, and many other Transporter 'customisers', are not official VW dealerships (even though they sell lots of extremely high spec vans), so are not allowed to do PDI's or Warranty work.

I had the same experience as you after Leighton's took me there with a VW warranty claim. They are also over 200 miles away from me, but if I ever need to have a main dealer work on the van I will go there ...... as you have discovered, the VW Commercial main dealer network is a minefield!!
.

 

[Lady T]

Glad it all worked out so well in the end

The reason you saw so many high spec / pimped vans there and the reason I recommended the place, is that they have a close working relationship with Leighton Vans. JCT (Sheffield) do all of Leighton's PDI's and Warranty work etc, as Leighton, and many other Transporter 'customisers', are not official VW dealerships (even though they sell lots of extremely high spec vans), so are not allowed to do PDI's or Warranty work.

I had the same experience as you after Leighton's took me there with a VW warranty claim. They are also over 200 miles away from me, but if I ever need to have a main dealer work on the van I will go there ...... as you have discovered, the VW Commercial main dealer network is a minefield!!
.

Thank you so much... Shredder I was hoping to hear from you...
So grateful... your guidance to Sheffield was a life saver and VW Brand New Van with a 3 year warranty! As now at least for the next 3 years my baby boy compared to yours is going to be taken care of by professionals who truly know what they are doing!
Saw loads of Leighton vans... was like a child in a sweety shop looking at loads of super pimp bits
Really hope I get to meet you one day and thank you in person, hope going to the shows I get to meet yourself and everyone who has helped me through this painful Brand New VW T6 Transporter experience and painfully inexperienced VW dealerships and technicians that clearly should go to Sheffield VW for their training programs and not VW Uk email chat line and crude diagnosis methods with the 3 year Warranty given from VW when you buy your dream van!
I am so grateful to everyone else and hope Loz and everyone that has supported me through this crazy C**P of ....I’m sure I’m not mad stage of a Faulty Fuel Pump and warranty and average VW dealership game!
**I am going to keep going with the washing machine sloshing fuel tank and post this up for all suffering to join in... And with Sheffield JCT600 and Craig who is fantastic I am not sad with any warranty issue’s... I’m delighted to drive up the M1 to Sheffield again!
Do not even get me started about VW Uk and warranty issues and dealing with VW Dealership’s that are clearly a bad name for Brand New VW Vans and warranty issues and need to give up the franchise and retire and get out of the business! Coz looking at so many posts... VW UK are just as painful about warranty issues if I had not had your advice to dictate where to go!
Thank you so much....For your incredible guidance to VW Sheffield! Incredible place!
Now I’m so excited to start looking at sweeties in sweet shops and a few little pimps...and get started with your next advice with the all important tuning and some new four wheel driving rough terrain tyres... coz after Sheffield I took BabyBoy for a little off grid playing in the Peak District and had so much fun testing the four wheel drive out and the standard tyres on this fab super spec are feeble and need some radical tyres that are more used to the Paris to Dakar terrain!

 

[Lady T]

Thank you mimi...
for all your washing machine tank sloshing testing and support...
This is the next issue... that I am going to keep going with!

 

[Loz]

Great news, really pleased for you.... now take adeep breath......and......breath..

 

[Lady T]

Great news, really pleased for you.... now take adeep breath......and......breath..

Thank you so much Loz.... I am so happy to hear from you... and so very grateful with all your support and advice... have tested the aircon whilst in Peak District four wheel driving off grid having fun actually enjoying my dream BabyBoy and heard exactly the sound you mentioned to me to test and listen..and I laughed and said... ok Loz aircon sound...check!...I am taking several deep breaths...of such a relief... I was not going mad!
I will keep going with the tank sloshing and post this soon, as it is something with driving around the Peak District and all the incredible steep up and down peaks and sharp left and right turns was still a washing machine slosh with a tank 3 quarters full and few other members seem to have this washing machine sloshing...Sheffield Genius Technician did here this and commented that this was unusual!...Thank you I am very grateful and I do hope we get to meet in person at some of the VW Van shows.

 

[wojo]

I have picked up my new T6 eight days ago now and the first thing I noticed driving out of the dealership was the sloshing noise of the tank and it was full of fuel.
I have just insulated the floor and I can still hear it. Really disappointing and just a poor design choice.
I'll follow up with the dealership to let them know my feedback.

 

[Loz]

It might be water in the box section, check the drain plugs.

 

[wojo]

Hi Loz,
Really appreciate the advice. Can you please elaborate a bit for me? Box section of the fuel tank? Is there a drain plug on the fuel tank I should be looking for?
All help is really appreciated.
Cheers,
Dan

 

[Loz]

The box section below the doors runs the length of the van from wheelarch to wheelarch.
There are plastic bungs, pop one out and see if there is any water trapped.

 

[Lady T]

Hi hope you are all well?
Since having the faulty hissing fuel pump replaced. I’ve been driving with the fuel tank sloshing issue.
I have found that if I only fill the tank up three quarters full the tank is not sloshing once the pressure builds up in the tank and you have driven a few miles. If I fill the tank over three quarters full and fill to full tank it sloshes like a washing machine again! I have also found that letting it run down low so that the dashboard indicates the fill up fuel sign and then only filling up to three quarters full can exaggerate the sloshing fuel in tank sound again! So overall I have found it is an art in sensing how much fuel needs to be put into the tank each time so as to not overfill the tank over three quarters full! I am not impressed with the design of the later model T6 fuel tanks as sloshing fuel in the tank happens every time the tank is filled to full and this did not happen when I was driving earlier T6 models and filling fuel to tank full. I question the design of the fuel tank and welcome all driving later T6 models to come forward and comment with this issue of loud sloshing fuel and wether it has made any difference with not filling the tank to full with fuel has helped.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Mine was built Nov 2018 204ps with 70l tank - have never heard any sloshing noises at any tank level. Maybe the level of insulation etc has covered it if it is indeed present.

 

[Loz]

I have never heard the fuel sloshing in my T6 California either. But I did in the Touareg when there was water in the sills.

 

[Zave]

Mine used to slosh prior to coversion MY18.

 

[Teesix]

What I don't understand from reading this is why there aren't any baffles in our fuel tanks? Surely we need the baffles to ensure the fuel pick-up point remains submerged. If there are no baffles wouldn't our vans lose the fuel feed when they are on steep inclines?

 

[Stay Frosty]

Looking at a picture of a used T6 fuel tank on eBay it looks like the tank barely has any straight parallel surfaces on it for the fuel to be able to slap or surge against.

As for fuel starvation the tank is pretty shallow so maybe the pump sits within a sponge foam reservoir within the tank?