Tim,
The only other component in the fuel circuit that could cause that noise is
the fuel pressure regulator.  When mine went bad it created very high fuel
pressure, causing the erratic angry hornet noise in the fuel pump.  I
replaced my perfectly good fuel pump before I figured this out.  Checking
your fuel pressure should give you the answer.
John Philcox
'85 GL
Newport, RI

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Ness" <tim.ness@WCOM.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2001 9:03 AM
Subject: Update: Fuel pump woes

>    Well, I received 4 votes for replacing the
> fuel filter as a cause of cavitation in the
> fuel pump. My Westy has the large round canister
> type between the fuel pump and the engine. I replaced
> the filter as well as suspect short sections of fuel
> line. A test drive found that the sound was still there.
>    The sound isn't there when pump first turns on
> nor when the engine is first started and idling. However
> after a short drive it starts up again. The sound is more
> like a buzzing than a whine, in fact if you get next to
> the pump while the engine is idling, it sounds like a bunch
> of angry hornets.
>     Any other suggestions besides pump replacement ?
>
>  Tim Ness
>  87 Westy "Chunky Girl"