Car won't start after being parked for 3 hours. Battery was strong, engine turns fast while starting, but it won't come alive...engine won't catch. GS400 has under 72,000 miles.

Took the car to Longo Lexus. Verone is gone but David Funk is taking care of me. They traced it to a bad fuel pump. Says it is very rare to have this problem, in fact, they don't even stock the part. Will special order the part and will be here the next day. Bill is estimated at $544.

Symptoms prior to getting stranded were - in one or two occasions days before it happened- I have to start twice! The first start did not fire up the engine, which is unusual.

Also, there was a couple of times when while driving, you would feel a surge indicative of fuel starvation.

I'm posting it here to let people aware of this.

 

Do you run your tank low at all? I know these fuel pumps use the fuel to cool themselves. Also, why not go with a Walbro pump? It would be cheaper?

 

I would suggest not to buy the dealer pump. Even the best Walbro fuel pump, 255l/hr high pressure (50 psi) is only $100. If you don't have forced induction, you can get one that is supposed to be better than stock, 190l/hr pump, for $80. Just install it yourself and save $600.

 

The OEM pump is inside the fuel tank, right? How do you connect the Walbro...inline upstream of the OEM pump?

At this point I cannot stop them to install because it has been special ordered and price includes labor (and of course, a complimentary Lexus '03 ES300 loaner car, and all the food you can eat at the dealership. Funny thing is if the car did not strand me and I was home, I would have been able to research a little bit. The CL forum was actually in my mind yesterday while aboard the flatbed enroute to Longo Lexus. I was thinking, man, if only I havee a wireless internet access, I would be able to make a better decision. It's one of those emergencies that you are just gonna say...go do it!

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

The walbro actually goes where the factory pump fits. Its an intank pump just like the factory and the installation is plug and play.

 

I think it's under the back seat isn't it? I think I saw it while putting in sound deadening material.

 

did you ever change the fuel filter?
just curious

 

No, not yet. It's too soon at 72k.

 

Holy guacamole...I could have save a bunch there.

 

im changing mine now at 62k

 

I believe it is. If so, the swap is very straight forward plug and play like Letsride mentioned. Usually you have to remove a few bolts on the cover that Bit probably saw. You then take the connections off the top of the fuel tank off (a few hoses clamped down and an electrical connector), loosen a few more bolts and you should be there. The inside of the gas tank will be exposed. You reach down into it (this is why I mentioned in the other thread to have as little gas as possible in there before starting) unfasten the OEM pump, unplug it, and remove. Go backwards to replace.

It's not all that hard, if it's like many other cars. The things to keep in mind are: being careful not to drop anything into the tank while it's open (gaskets, tools, money, etc...). Also obviously don't have anything that could ignite the fumes while you are working on the pump (I used a flashlight because I didn't even want a spotlight outside the car to help me see). Be careful with the re-installation of the pump. It has some sorta delicate parts attached and if you break one of the plastic "ears" it makes it more difficult to attach things like the filter or electrical connector.

 

I paid $549 total, broken down to $323 parts and $205 labor (and $23 tax). Labor is 2.5 hours.

 

I'm bringing this thread back alive! There are 2 types of Walbro Fuel pumps on their site. Which one do i use?

GCA312 Fuel Pump/Filter Assembly
or
P529 LPH High Performance Fuel Kit

Also, has anyone done this themselves? After reading this thread, it appears to be pretty straight forward, If anyone has done this, can you please chime in and let me know the level of difficulty? I'm pretty handy when it comes to changing hardware but want to make sure it's do-able. Thanks

John

 

I've done it you can check out this thread for photos. It is pretty straight forward.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...light=exploded