Dbcooper13

I'm really starting to buy into the gas theory. As I said above, I had 3 fail/whine and was exclusively putting in a 10% Ethanol gas. 4th one began to whine and I switched to pure gas and it stopped.
Here is an interesting link about fuel pumps. At the end of the article is another link to high Ethanol gas and it separating in a tank.
http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/195

mirza

Hi Guys,

I got the humming
Turned the car off and on and its gone.
Calling dealer here in Jacksonville fl tomorrow to see if they can order a pump.
First ever problem with a lexus. had 4 in the last 3 years.
Not too concerned as it is just a fuel pump and its very different from a high pressure fuel pump issue BMW had.
Will keep you updated

ZiPPyRCF

Well fawking wonderful, I got the humming today. I hit 4,240 miles and for some reason I thought I was home free. I remember reading people were encountering it around 2200 miles. Boy was I wrong! I was blasting some tunes and went to switch the song, and that distinct sound. It fades away quite a bit when you start to drive, but at a stop light it's pretty loud.

So how much time do I have, or is it at any moment now that it will die? I'm about 30 to 35 miles away from a dealership. It also looks like they'll have to order one, so it's not like they can fix it tomorrow.

Ryanmcd

Why not try some different gas at a different place? If someone got a NEW CAR and it's BACK what is the common thing here... The gas... Come on people.


10K miles no issues running Costco gas.

ZiPPyRCF

I mainly use Shell, that's all I put in my last car a Nissan 350Z, so doing the same with the RC F. I've been caught a few times on low, so had to stop at Arco once and Vons another time. I will give this a whirl, just to eliminate the possibility. Tomorrow morning I will fill up at a new place, since I have about a quarter left. I really doubt it's the gas though mate, just seems like your car had a different batch of fuel pumps. But like I said, I'm going to try it to eliminate possibilities and hopefully help others put this bs issue behind us.

My question is how much time do I have with that sound. I don't think I'll get a simple answer, but have theres gone days hearing that noise? Or did they die in the water pretty quick? I've driven about 10 to 15 miles with that wonderful hair dress fan blowing me forward. Little humor there but I think it's to soon. :/

ghoffner

Yeah, it sure does seem like Shell gas could be causing a problem. All I ever used was v-power, but I switched over to Chevron gas yesterday. I am going to run a few tanks of this and see if anything changes. If not, I will move on to another brand of gas...let the experiments begin!

Ryanmcd

It sucks having to change gas and it's not a long term fix but it's better then having to deal with the dealer that does not have a fix for this or not being able to drive the car. If we have enough people say that shell is the issue then you can build a case to give Lexus about it.

Ne1tHeRe

iTrader: (3)

I have been filling up with shell for the last 500 miles. No pump issues. Good to know that if it does start up, I can just try a different gas station

mirza

Dealer told me that a video and audio recording wont be enough and that they have to be able to replicate it.
Wont order a pump. I am driving over there for lunch to see if it happens so I can show them. This morning it was humming again after about 4-5 miles of driving and I was able to record it after I stopped. Restarted car and it was gone

LDEUX

Well this is concerning. All I've used is shell v-power since owning the car and I'm just under 3K, I've had it since last Oct.

bohlexus

Hey guys, new to the rcf platform. Thanks for all the great info! Something I will def be keeping an eye out for

mirza

dealer took video and will contact lexus to ask what to do about it. Have to drop off the car later today
There is one pump in the US right now

RCFormante

iTrader: (1)

I remember that back in the early 2000s, Shell had high sulfur in their gasoline that affects the fuel gauge. Maybe Shell is back at it again and this time it's damaging the fuel pumps? Go V-Power...lol.

ZiPPyRCF

I can't say for sure, but I do think it's the gas. I had the humming all day yesterday, and this morning after I let the car idle for 5min. I drove across the street and filled up with Chevron. I had about a quarter of Shell gas left, so I got a good amount of Chevron 91 in the tank. The humming hasn't returned. I have about a 30min commute to work, and I haven't heard one sound. I will take the car out again at lunch, and on the way home.

I'm thinking something truly is in the Shell that makes the fuel pump work harder, therefore it eventually fails.

This is just a theory, but right now I agree with Shell being the cause.

Cheers mates,

rjmalm

13k miles, almost 1 year with no problem with fuel pump noise and I always use Shell V-Power Nitro+ Premium, which as you know, in the US contains 10% Ethanol.

I do run it down to 1/4 full and sometimes down to 2 gal but
I dont let it sit more more than 1 day when low before refill since its my only car and especially now after reading the following link that DBCouper13 posted:
http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/195