ES 350 hard start
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: KS
ES 350 hard start
Just bought a 2013 ES350. It didn’t do this during the test drive. After buying it and going to leaving, it started doing this. I bought it from a Chevy dealership. They can’t seem to find anything wrong. They have it documented and said they would take care of it. It doesn’t do this every time I start it. I haven’t found a condition it does it and other times it doesn’t in particular. Two electrical checks show the battery, alternator and starter are fine. It seems fuel related to me.
Any thoughts?
I don't see that my video uploaded. Here it is on youtube.
Any thoughts?
I don't see that my video uploaded. Here it is on youtube.
Last edited by Solid770; Jul 17, 2021 at 06:13 PM. Reason: Video didn't upload. Added a link.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 112
Likes: 11
From: Oregon
Just bought a 2013 ES350. It didn’t do this during the test drive. After buying it and going to leaving, it started doing this. I bought it from a Chevy dealership. They can’t seem to find anything wrong. They have it documented and said they would take care of it. It doesn’t do this every time I start it. I haven’t found a condition it does it and other times it doesn’t in particular. Two electrical checks show the battery, alternator and starter are fine. It seems fuel related to me.
Any thoughts?
I don't see that my video uploaded. Here it is on youtube.
https://youtu.be/y3fwDxFwmtg
Any thoughts?
I don't see that my video uploaded. Here it is on youtube.
https://youtu.be/y3fwDxFwmtg
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 513
Likes: 202
From: Georgia
How many miles? Here are a few suggestions;
1. Complete tune up if high mileage.
2. Fuel pump may be going out. Does not matter the mileage if it has been driven low on fuel a lot.
3. Fuel Injectors clogged. A fuel Injector cleaning may solve it. Very likely.
4. Several electronic sensors can cause this. They will normally throw a code and the check engine light will come on. The fact that it is intermittent leads me away from this.
I would go to walmart and buy 2 cans of Techron fuel injector cleaner ($4.95). Go to the gas station, pour them in, fill it up with premium fuel. Drive it for 100 - 200 miles straight. See if it gets better.
As always, my mechanical advice over the internet is worth the price paid and only suggestions.
1. Complete tune up if high mileage.
2. Fuel pump may be going out. Does not matter the mileage if it has been driven low on fuel a lot.
3. Fuel Injectors clogged. A fuel Injector cleaning may solve it. Very likely.
4. Several electronic sensors can cause this. They will normally throw a code and the check engine light will come on. The fact that it is intermittent leads me away from this.
I would go to walmart and buy 2 cans of Techron fuel injector cleaner ($4.95). Go to the gas station, pour them in, fill it up with premium fuel. Drive it for 100 - 200 miles straight. See if it gets better.
As always, my mechanical advice over the internet is worth the price paid and only suggestions.
Last edited by rmak; Jul 18, 2021 at 03:56 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 108
From: TX
How many miles? Here are a few suggestions;
1. Complete tune up if high mileage.
2. Fuel pump may be going out. Does not matter the mileage if it has been driven low on fuel a lot.
3. Fuel Injectors clogged. A fuel Injector cleaning may solve it. Very likely.
4. Several electronic sensors can cause this. They will normally throw a code and the check engine light will come on. The fact that it is intermittent leads me away from this.
I would go to walmart and buy 2 cans of Techron fuel injector cleaner ($4.95). Go to the gas station, pour them in, fill it up with premium fuel. Drive it for 100 - 200 miles straight. See if it gets better.
As always, my mechanical advice over the internet is worth the price paid and only suggestions.
1. Complete tune up if high mileage.
2. Fuel pump may be going out. Does not matter the mileage if it has been driven low on fuel a lot.
3. Fuel Injectors clogged. A fuel Injector cleaning may solve it. Very likely.
4. Several electronic sensors can cause this. They will normally throw a code and the check engine light will come on. The fact that it is intermittent leads me away from this.
I would go to walmart and buy 2 cans of Techron fuel injector cleaner ($4.95). Go to the gas station, pour them in, fill it up with premium fuel. Drive it for 100 - 200 miles straight. See if it gets better.
As always, my mechanical advice over the internet is worth the price paid and only suggestions.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 513
Likes: 202
From: Georgia
You overpaid for my advice LOL. It could be just the fuel filter, but I am pretty sure the filter is within the fuel pump assembly inside the tank.
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: Fla
Just bought a 2013 ES350. It didn’t do this during the test drive. After buying it and going to leaving, it started doing this. I bought it from a Chevy dealership. They can’t seem to find anything wrong. They have it documented and said they would take care of it. It doesn’t do this every time I start it. I haven’t found a condition it does it and other times it doesn’t in particular. Two electrical checks show the battery, alternator and starter are fine. It seems fuel related to me.
Any thoughts?
I don't see that my video uploaded. Here it is on youtube.
https://youtu.be/y3fwDxFwmtg
Any thoughts?
I don't see that my video uploaded. Here it is on youtube.
https://youtu.be/y3fwDxFwmtg
A fuel pressure gauge would be ideal in the situation. Usually when you start the car the fuel pressure climbs up instant. There’s a check ball in the fuel pump that is supposed to keep the pressure up so it’s a instant start. I’ve replace fuel pumps before when the check ball fails and it loses prime. Usually if the vehicle sits over night or long while it will be a extended crank time scenario is caused. I’ve seen leaky injectors cause a hard start also but not common as the pump check ball failure. You would have to replace the fuel pump because the check ball is part of the pump assembly. Hope this helps
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: KS
Hey Guys.... Thanks for the input. I actually have some BG 44K and SC2 sitting here. (A friend that works there gave it to me). I will get that dumped in with some high octane fuel and see what happens.
I truly appreciate the advice!!!
I truly appreciate the advice!!!
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Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: KS
Hey Guys. Thought I would update this. And I will try to make this concise. The Lexus dealership here, took my car and ran some tests. There was one of the computers (I don't recall which) that was throwing and error code. Thinking that was it, they replaced that computer. I got it back, ran some errands, went home, and then it did it again. I took it back and they kept it all this last week running some tests. It hasn't thrown anymore error codes. So if they fix something, they feel like they would be taking a guess at it. Which I appreciate them not wasting my money. I still feel like it is fuel related but I really don't know. They suggested driving it until it gets worse and more frequent, as they didn't feel it is a problem that is going to leave me stranded somewhere. So, if you have any other insights, please share. Otherwise, I will keep driving it.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: KS
I have now had this car two years. It hasn't got any better and no one can seem to find what is going on. In fact, it has gotten slightly worse. Sometimes it takes longer to catch but it always starts. The hotter it is, the worse it is. During the winter when it cools down quickly, it doesn't do it or do it as bad. My assumption is that someday something will completely break / not work and then we will know what to fix. In the meantime, if anyone has heard of this happening to anyone else, please let me know.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 513
Likes: 202
From: Georgia
I am betting fuel pump. I do all of my own work and I change fuel pumps at 150k regardless. Still not sure of your mileage, but with fuel pumps they only give a few indications and your car has them. Fuel pressure is a check that will show a failed or failing pump if not intermittent. Why not just change it if you are keeping the car? Cheap insurance and will eliminate a large problem part if it still does it afterward. Good luck.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4,967
Likes: 1,620
From: MI
I don't think this had anything to do with the pump itself.
Try to press the power button twice without pressing the brake pedal, leave it for 2-3 seconds and the start the engine. Report back.
Try to press the power button twice without pressing the brake pedal, leave it for 2-3 seconds and the start the engine. Report back.
Last edited by ESh; Jul 24, 2023 at 10:52 PM.