A method is provided for controlling operation of a fueling system including a fuel pump driven by an engine geartrain and a fuel accumulator supplied fuel by the fuel pump, comprising: determining whether an operating parameter of the engine is less than a threshold value; responding to the operating parameter being less than the threshold value by causing an inlet valve of the fuel pump to operate in a 100 percent fill mode, whereby a pumping chamber in the fuel pump is approximately fully filled for at least one pumping cycle; determining whether a fuel pressure in the fuel accumulator is greater than a desired value while the inlet valve is in the 100 percent fill mode; and responding to the fuel pressure being greater than the desired value by activating an outlet valve of the fuel accumulator to drain fuel in the fuel accumulator to a fuel tank.