How did the hair immediately fall out and make it's way to the fuel filter before you even left the gas station? Crazy stuff, but it sounds like the damage is minimal compared to the worst case scenario. I'm pretty sure this is the first time the techs have seen something like this. Glad it's going to get worked out.

 

Probably the flowing gasoline from when he was pumping it separated the hair from the doll. How it managed to go straight to the filter cause a CEL immediately is strange, though. Anyway, glad to hear the fuel filter did its job.

I am guessing the 3 yo will be waiting in the car when OP fills up for the foreseeable future.

 

not a chemist but i assume the gasoline caused the plastic to expand, the pores that held the hair on the head probably expanded and all the hair fell out.

 

Long story short, I do have my IS back as of now. No more check engine light. Starts and runs just like it did before this ordeal. I did end up spending more money than expected because they could not replace the fuel filter alone. I had to actually purchase the entire fuel pump,which obviously did cost a pretty penny. The fuel pump replacement including labor, was $676.45. In addition to this, this cost of the initial diagnosis was $220.76 and in addition to this, to tow my car to this dealership in the first place, was $133. So, $1,030.21 later, I have a perfectly running IS. Or so I think. Early Tomorrow morning will be the real test when we leave San Francisco and drive back home to Denver. Approximately 19 hours and 1,267 of driving should be a good test.

 

Good luck! Now, the million dollar question, are you going to buy your daughter a replacement barbie doll?

 

hahaha We'll see. My fault for opening the gas cap and turning my back, anyways. Another Barbie will only bring back painful memories. Memories that I'll probably end up laughing about in the future.

 

Drop us a line to let us know how the trip home went, good luck

 

LexRX300h,

I'm sorry to read of your ordeal. It could have been much worse and when your little girl is old enough to drive it will make a very interesting story for you to tell her. Good to hear everything was resolved and I hope your trip home is un-eventful.

 

You're little girl is ok, you're ok, and now your IS is ok - the $1k will someday be a distant memory.

Glad to hear it worked out.

Now buy her one of those expensive American Girl dolls - she will never get that down the fuel filler, haha.

 

Gasoline is an excellent solvent, no doubt it dissolved the glue holding the hair in, or may have dissolved the hair itself into one big plastic goo ball.

 

This would also work because American Girl dolls would never pump their own gas.

 

And you'll have a GREAT story to tell on her wedding day.

 

Sorry to hear the troubles... Glad its all fixed up..!!!

BTW - the gas tank and fuel pump setup is accessed underneath the rear seat..

via a special removable panel.. Old GS400 below for reference.. and IS300 below that..





~ Joe Z

 

If (in other circumstances) you had towed the car immediately without starting it, would it saved anything?

 

That's for sure!