Trouble starting cold engine after fuel filter change
 

Hey gang,
A couple weekends ago I changed the in-tank fuel filter and strainer. This is the second time I have done this job, the first time being several years ago. Since this latest repair, I've had an issue starting the car if it has been sitting either overnight or for several hours. It seems to crank a long time and struggles to start. I had no such issue before the change. I pulled the assembly back out just to make sure I did not miss something like an o-ring. Everything looked fine. It is worth noting that in addition to being slow to start, there were a couple of times the fuel gauge dropped to zero, then came back up a few minutes later. It has not done that since I pulled everything out to check.
Once it starts, there are zero issues with drive-ability and performance. Restarting if the engine is warm is also not effected.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Thanks!
Craig

What is the year and mileage on your ES? Maybe the fuel pump is failing? Or maybe there is an anti-backflow pressure valve in the fuel system that is failing?

Thanks for the follow up.
It's a 2007 with about 181k. I replaced the pump with a Denso 950-0132 back in 2015 (last time I changed the filter). It only started having this issue after replacing the filter this time.

Check your fuel pressure on start up. As always when you change something and something changes then something happened during that fix.

I'll see if my existing fuel pressure gauge fits my Lex.
Supposed to be between 44-50psi, then 21psi min after 5 minutes of being off.
Is it the pump or the regulator which controls the pressure at startup?
Thanks

This is my DIY when I replaced the fuel filter on my 2007 ES 350. I had the same problem because the fuel regulator o-ring was put in the wrong position and it lost the pressure overnight so I had to open it again.


https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...er-change.html




Here you can see the o-ring on the bottom of the regulator.:

https://i.postimg.cc/nVmL3f6G/E3-AF2...1-BE037-A9.jpg

Yeah, I actually used your write up as a guide, so thanks for that ;). I did verify the O-Ring was properly set. I just reused the old one, did not get a new one. What problems were you experiencing? How did you have it in wrong?

Long crank in the morning.
The o-ring was not straight in the hole. You must remove everything, also you should check the pump o-ring too.

https://i.postimg.cc/wM0CGxJ0/6-C35-...0-EFEE6-AA.jpg

i got same problem as well when going for ebay "toyota oem fuel filter". The problem is it didn't fit in quite well as oem and it works good for few days or week then same problem start. I then decided just to order new fuel filter from lexus dealer on internet , when it snaps back together, i can tell it is perfect fit, and it works great ever since. If you already put in good oem filter then do as above suggest because something not fitting right.

You may have just answered you problem .

Here's an experience I can share. Original fuel pump lasted 175,000 miles in a 1994 Suburban. Mechanic put in a new one and that one went 10,000 miles. I had him do it again and that pumplasted a short time too. This time I was pizzed so I took it out myself and it turned out that one of the electrical pins in the harness had fallen out. The mechanic must have broken the plastic clip the first time he put in the new fuel pump.

When plugging the new pump into the car's harness connector the pin was pushing back and out of the plastic plug. I took a pair of needle nosed pliers and forced it all the way in like it should be and haven't had a problem for years now.

All good tips! The filter I used was the same brand I used last time and had no issues (Beck Arnley 043-3000). The pump is still a Denso which is only about 4-5 years old. I did check the connector when I tore down the second time to look for issues, but the pushed pin is a good thought.
I'll see if I can get a set of new o-rings before opening everything up again and report back.
Thanks again for all the help!

Is the in tank fuel filter actually getting dirty enough after 10-15 years /175,000 miles to become restrictive or to allow debris to travel to the fuel injectors?

I'm curious too...most people don't pull their pump to change filters routinely. Were you having issues with debris?

I've been burned a few times on E-bay, but continue to buy there when the price is right and I can confirm it is true OEM. I always check, double-check, triple-check fitment, and will only take the plunge when I'm 100% certain a part is true OEM, in a sealed package, with the Toyota/Lexus logo clearly printed on the package, with the correct part number also printed on the package, as confirmed by the pictures of the actual part. If I can't confirm all of the above, I'll pay the extra cost and buy from the least expensive, on-line, Lexus dealer.

It just isn't worth the time and frustration of installing and living with claimed (but not true) OEM parts. The extra cost of true OEM is worth the peace-of-mind you get knowing you have the best parts available. Isn't that why we bought Lexus vehicles to begin with?