Ethanol/Cold Wx & Starting Problems?
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ethanol/Cold Wx & Starting Problems?
Hey everyone,
I've got a 1998 LS 400 that has been difficult to start on two seperate occasions when the temp gets down in the 20s at night, less than half a tank of gas, and I haven't started it up in 2-3 days. I'm able to get it started and it runs great once started, but I'm wondering if the Ethanol premixed in the gas, combined with low temperatures, and a half empty tank is causing condensation in the fuel tank? I used sea foam the last time I filled up and haven't had problems since. Any thoughts?
I've got a 1998 LS 400 that has been difficult to start on two seperate occasions when the temp gets down in the 20s at night, less than half a tank of gas, and I haven't started it up in 2-3 days. I'm able to get it started and it runs great once started, but I'm wondering if the Ethanol premixed in the gas, combined with low temperatures, and a half empty tank is causing condensation in the fuel tank? I used sea foam the last time I filled up and haven't had problems since. Any thoughts?
#2
Hey everyone,
I've got a 1998 LS 400 that has been difficult to start on two seperate occasions when the temp gets down in the 20s at night, less than half a tank of gas, and I haven't started it up in 2-3 days. I'm able to get it started and it runs great once started, but I'm wondering if the Ethanol premixed in the gas, combined with low temperatures, and a half empty tank is causing condensation in the fuel tank? I used sea foam the last time I filled up and haven't had problems since. Any thoughts?
I've got a 1998 LS 400 that has been difficult to start on two seperate occasions when the temp gets down in the 20s at night, less than half a tank of gas, and I haven't started it up in 2-3 days. I'm able to get it started and it runs great once started, but I'm wondering if the Ethanol premixed in the gas, combined with low temperatures, and a half empty tank is causing condensation in the fuel tank? I used sea foam the last time I filled up and haven't had problems since. Any thoughts?
When you say "difficult to start", do you mean it is rather slow cranking until it finally fires up or that the cranking is robust and it takes a long time to fire up?
#3
Hey everyone,
I've got a 1998 LS 400 that has been difficult to start on two seperate occasions when the temp gets down in the 20s at night, less than half a tank of gas, and I haven't started it up in 2-3 days. I'm able to get it started and it runs great once started, but I'm wondering if the Ethanol premixed in the gas, combined with low temperatures, and a half empty tank is causing condensation in the fuel tank? I used sea foam the last time I filled up and haven't had problems since. Any thoughts?
I've got a 1998 LS 400 that has been difficult to start on two seperate occasions when the temp gets down in the 20s at night, less than half a tank of gas, and I haven't started it up in 2-3 days. I'm able to get it started and it runs great once started, but I'm wondering if the Ethanol premixed in the gas, combined with low temperatures, and a half empty tank is causing condensation in the fuel tank? I used sea foam the last time I filled up and haven't had problems since. Any thoughts?
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm definitely not using E85 and I fueled up with 93 at two seperate shell gas stations in different cities. I would describe the crank as robust, but it sounds different from a normal crank. At first I thought I might have a starter problem (fly wheel or solunoid). I gave it just a little gas and after 2-3 seconds it cranked, it intially idled alittle rough and after 5 seconds or so began idling normally.
#5
I'm definitely not using E85 and I fueled up with 93 at two seperate shell gas stations in different cities. I would describe the crank as robust, but it sounds different from a normal crank. At first I thought I might have a starter problem (fly wheel or solunoid). I gave it just a little gas and after 2-3 seconds it cranked, it intially idled alittle rough and after 5 seconds or so began idling normally.
Remember, one of the most challenging things we Lexus owners have to deal with is the paranoia of analyzing every little creak, groan, squeak and rattle of our machines, expecting nothing short of perfection.
I would just make a mental note and not worry too much about it. If it gets much, much worse you can worry.
Oh, how many miles on your 98?
Last edited by randal; 12-31-10 at 05:34 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post