Howdy... I've had my 87 for almost a year, had same issue of noisy fuel
pump.  Pulled fuel pump to see rust flakes in the intake of the electric
pump.  Cleaned it out by running it backward in a pail of diesel fuel
and re-installed, still had the some cavitation noise as the pump work
hard.

Put in a new fuel tank and with no change to pump or filter all noises
ceased, so I concur that the tank offered some restriction; perhaps I'll
peek inside the old tank....

--steve
1987 Westy
Austin Texas

Melissa Mourkas wrote:
> aaaaahhhh....I will share this with my mechanic.  I was hoping to
> avoid dropping the tank...maybe they can suck it out somehow?
>
> Thanks!
>
> On Mar 16, 2010, at 9:39 AM, Bill MacLachlan wrote:
>
>> after time sludge (dirt rust etc) collects in the bottom of the tank
>> and blocks the tank outlet tube. Pump works hard  move fuel through
>> the blockage, and when it's working hard makes noise.
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 9:04 AM, Melissa Mourkas
>> <westywoman@mac.com> wrote:
>> On Mar 15, 2010, at 12:25 PM, miguel pacheco wrote:
>>
>> If the pump is properly installed and it is making noise, it's
>> probably fuel starved. At 20+ years old,  you can look to the fuel
>> tank as the cause.
>> Miguel
>>
>>
>> Can you explain how the fuel tank is related to the noise?  Thanks!
>>
>> Melissa
>> '84 Westy Honey Bee
>> Sacramento, CA
>> www.westywoman.com
>>