so on the way home the pump was quiet until i went to the gas station and filled up the tank. it got noisy again afterwards.

i pulled over and unscrewed the cover and ran it on the floor all the way home. seems to work better now. still noisy, but more like normal operating noise, not the airsucking noise i had before ...

also, that access hole for the tank/lines etc. acts as a huge funnel for the hot air from the oilcooler.
it was like a blowdrier blowing ~200F hot air in my face!

maybe that's part of the problem, having the pump sit right there, getting all that hot air dumped on it ...
Andy

Andy,
It may be cavitating if the fuel is getting too hot from the blow bye from the oil cooler.
Almost a pre-vapor lock like the 4 cylinder 914s with the pump in the engine compartment

plus the mechanical parts of the pump itself may not like the heat.
Most fuel pumps are cooled by the fuel going thru them...so the armiture of the pump motor does not overheat.

Run a lower cover over the steering rack.

got one?

if so, i buy it from 'ya. powdercoated yellow, of course ...
Andy

I think I do...