Engine idle chirping (cricket) noise poll.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by tailspin

I've noticed a lot of people stick with one brand and octane for their cars and only a few have filled up with any brand gas they come across. It *seems* like the few people who fill up at random gas stations have reported less chirps.

Could it be possible that this car can benefit by filling up with different brands of fuel instead of being loyal to one or two brands of fuel?

I don't think so. I travel almost every week into unfamiliar territory for business, which makes it nearly impossible to control the brand of gas I use. When you're out on the road, you take what's available. In other words, I'm the poster boy for using different brands and different stations. The only thing that is consistent is that almost all of them are 10% ethanol.

From what I can tell, the sound of the fuel pump changes with each tank of gas, but pretty much all of them produce some level of chirping. Exxon seems worse than Shell, but a tank from one Shell station will sound different from a tank from another station. The loudest crickets I've heard came from gas from Sam's Club, and I won't make that mistake again. It wasn't just a cricket under my hood. It was the whole damned swamp.

What I think I'm reading in the stories here is that the crickets don't do any harm other than sounding stupid, but that replacing the fuel pump can result in sluggishness or worse if the dealer mechanic screws it up, and even if he doesn't you end up with crickets again in the new pump. I really don't see any point in risking it. I'm willing to accept it as normal.

Those who are really bothered by it should just cover it up with louder pipes.

[mad_sb]

If it makes people feel better, the chips will reduce with mileage if not go away. I've been on E85 for the past 6 months or so, I now have just over 10,000 miles on the original chirpy fuel pump in my 13 FRS and the chirps only very rairly occur.

Personally, i think the sound of the direct injectors clacking away at warm idle is far more displeasing to the ear, sounds like a dam diesel, and ALWAYS present when idling on direct injectors (only time you will ever hear the crickets).

And once again, it seems the additive package in the fuel has a lot more to due with the chirps than the ethanol content.. as I said, i have been on E85 for many months both in Atlanta and now in irvine. Here in Irvine there is only one chain that sells E85 and it is not the same as the chain i used in Atlanta and the chirps have reduced to the point that they almost never occur anymore since moving to SoCal and running high ethanol content E85 (90 - 95 % from my tester kit).

If it were ethanol content causing the problem rather than fuel blend my crickets would sound like a swarm of locusts rather than an occasional chirp. By all means use ethanol free blends if they reduce the crickets, just don't blame or attribute it to lack of ethanol content. Then again, it could be that with a bit of mechanical ware the issue will resolve it self due to less likely hood of air entrapment in the pump...

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by mad_sb

And once again, it seems the additive package in the fuel has a lot more to due with the chirps than the ethanol content..

I think this is probably the culprit. I wish there were a way to figure out what additives are to blame.

I'm also wondering if the cricket discussion will drop off when the stations switch over to summer blends. Summer blends have fewer of the extra ingredients (like butane) the fuel companies use to extend the supply, and summer gas is more "pure" for lack of a better word.

[hail2thetheif]

The biggest bummer to me about the crickets is it makes your brand new car sound like a piece of crap. It's the equivalent to a car having a loud squeaky belt or something.

It's just lame to have spent money on a new car that sounds busted. Our 15 year old 99 Impreza RS makes less noise at idle.

[Zero90]

Originally Posted by hail2thetheif

The biggest bummer to me about the crickets is it makes your brand new car sound like a piece of crap. It's the equivalent to a car having a loud squeaky belt or something.

It's just lame to have spent money on a new car that sounds busted. Our 15 year old 99 Impreza RS makes less noise at idle.

Feel the same way. Really depressing when the car looks sexy and then it gives off a noise thats sounds horrible.


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[bjun]

My original fuel pumps made crickets once in a while and it wasn't loud either. Had to really listen to hear it. But I decided to get it replaced before my FI and now its obnoxiously loud. I'll have my stereo at like 45 volume and the chirping can be heard over that! I swear, dealerships can never get anything right! >:O

[eric6]

^^^ That is why I took matters in my own hands and added 3 oz of 2-stroke oil to a full tank of gas. It honestly just needs a little lubrication, my crickets went away nearly immediately. The U.S. gets shitty gas.

I use Amsoil Denominator 2-stroke, been working great.

[RacerX]

I first noticed crickets at around 6000 miles. I had the fuel pump replaced, and they went away. Now I'm at 7200mi and they're back suddenly and loudly.

[FR-S Matt]

I haven't heard crickets since temperatures have warmed up in quite some time. I believe the insulation around my fuel pump might actually be working when its warm outside. It's the complete opposite sometimes when I get lower on a gas tank and its cold outside. Very strange, but my crickets are virtually gone unless temperatures drop drastically. I don't understand this newer fuel pump. Sometimes I'll hear them muffled barely, other times not there. Cold outside, I may or may not hear them loudly.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by PNW FRS

So, on a whim, I filled up a few days ago with a 50/50 mix of 91 octane (with up to 10% Ethanol) and 87 octane (no Ethanol) and within about 50 miles, noticed that the "chirping" sound had dissipated almost to a point where I had to really listen close to hear the sound.

Using the post about "Pure Gas" locations, found a place in Olympia (on Thurston Ave) that supposedly has 92 octane w/o Ethanol.

Going to try that next to see how it might help with that dang chirping sound.

I guess that using 87 octane can solve the problem because you're gonna need a new engine if you keep that up.

[flashburn]

For me it started when I fueled up with Racetrac gas. When I switched back to Hess it went away. I've actually seen this happen twice now, so I don't think it's a coincidence. Probably due to the different additives, as others have mentioned.

[FyeaFRS]

Getting new fuel pump installed at dealer today under warranty. Guy told me they might come back. I told him that if they come back every few thousand miles or so that they'd be giving me a new pump on the same schedule till Toyota actually fixes the problem.

[PNW FRS]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

I guess that using 87 octane can solve the problem because you're gonna need a new engine if you keep that up.

Hence, my comment that I'm going to try the full-on 92 octance non-ethanol gas next...

Wasn't trying to imply that a 50/50 mix was a long-term way to go.

[nunonuna]

Just try to find gas with less additive. Pure gas makes absolutely no chirping but also e10 with less additive makes no noise too. I was lucky enough to find one near me. My local BP gas(e10) make no noise, but not all bp gases help tho.

I was strong believer that ethanol causes the problem but now I believe its the additives that gas company adds to e10 gas.

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