Fuel Pump Noise & Low Gas mileage

[englishsoup]

Has anyone else found noise from the fuel tank or pump - a heavy very low humming noise that eminates from below the left 2nd row seat. The noise comes and goes - it can be non-existant and suddenly be so loud that it can be heard even with the radio switched on. It tends to vanish if the tank is completely full and most prominent from 3/4 full down to 1/3 full - we haven't let the tank go below this level to see if it persists below this level.


We are also getting real low gas mileage - the very best we have had is 16 mpg on highway - 65 mph on freeway with now stops or slow-downs (very rare on the California Freeway). While the in-town mileage is running at 13-14 mpg. We thought it would improve after we had driving it for a couple of thousand miles.

At almost 2000 miles now we have seen no improvement.

We have no heavy braking, acceleration etc but regardless of how we run the vehicle it has not improved.


Any ideas as to why the car should 'sing' to us.

As for the MPG - driving in exactly the same way we get 17mpg (city) in our Chrysler town and country and 24.5 mpg on freeway in it. which is very close to the Chryslers spec.

Any info or help would be greatly appreciated.

[LESJMC]

our 06 Sedona is approaching 5000 miles and the gas mileage is just now starting to come up. Combo driving we are averaging 18-19 highway at 65mph 24 and city is 13-14. We live in Washington state so Ca emmisions might make mileage a little less Unless the sedona is for all 50 states. Also use at least mid grade gasoline. I am expermiting with premium now to see if mileage gets even better.

Hope this helps

LES

[redbluffian]

Our 2006 Sedona is making the same noise when the fuel is at 1/2 tank or below and the engine is at idle. Placing a slight load on the engine will make the noise go away. I suspect it is the relief valve or pump. It is going to the dealer Wednesday for it's first check up and the noise will be addressed then.

Regarding mileage, at 3,800 miles we are experiencing a best tank at 24.8 MPG while steady highway driving, a low of 17.5 MPG in town. We only use regular fuel.

[englishsoup]

Just got the van back from the dealer after having it serviced. They have a replacement fuel pump on order - seems that they have had several 06 Sedona's back with the same problem and each time a replacement fuel pump fixes the problem.

[redbluffian]

Unfortunatly our fuel pump noise decided to go away while it was at the dealership but re-appeared a few days later. The plan is to back in when it is good and loud.