As it sits it pulls vacuum and doesn't leak. I don't think it's normal - a tapping noise - maybe that's how these things sound when they get old.
The pump head may need to be rebuilt. I needed a more immediate solution so it sits in a box - and I just don't have the room anymore to keep it for a rainy day project.
Feel free to ask questions. It will be packaged in such a manor to survive an apocalypse. This item is in the category "Business & Industrial\Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Pumps & Plumbing\Pumps & Pump Accessories\Vacuum Pumps\Other Vacuum Pumps". The seller is "corepalmatie-0" and is located in this country: US.This item can be shipped to United States.