'96 LS400 unusual temperamental engine start
#1
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'96 LS400 unusual temperamental engine start
My beloved '96 LS400 never threw a fit on me. Yesterday it was the first time in 15 years under my care. It was daytime, parked after a short trip of about 7 km. 30 minutes later I was to start it again. It started then began to sputter gently. Then sputtered more frequently when the engine light came on. The engine slowly died down. I couldn't start the car again. The battery is good. I was able to start the car in cold mornings even when it was -10C outside.
This morning, it was 1C. It started as nothing had happened.
How should I make of this? The car has been very well looked after.
When I used to have an Audi in the early '80s. The Audi was notoriously giving me the same behaviour. I was told by the dealership it was caused by vapour lock in the intake manifold.
Has anyone heard of this from a Lexus?
Someone suggested it might be...."it either sounds like a vvt-i solenoid or a coil pack"
I'm awaiting more feedback.
Thanks
This morning, it was 1C. It started as nothing had happened.
How should I make of this? The car has been very well looked after.
When I used to have an Audi in the early '80s. The Audi was notoriously giving me the same behaviour. I was told by the dealership it was caused by vapour lock in the intake manifold.
Has anyone heard of this from a Lexus?
Someone suggested it might be...."it either sounds like a vvt-i solenoid or a coil pack"
I'm awaiting more feedback.
Thanks
#2
Vapor lock can happens when the liquid fuel changes state from liquid to gas while it's still in the fuel delivery system. The fuel can changes state due to heat in the engine compartment or due to a sudden change in the weather from cold to hot. When this condition occurs, it causes a lost of fuel pressure in the system & as result the vehicle couldn't start. When you leave the car sits for a period of time, the gas evaporated or changed back to liquid so you were able to start the car again. Judging from where you live, the local refineries are using fuel w/ high volatility in the winter time to help at startup so you could very well experienced that as some cars are more prone & susceptible to vapor lock than others. If that's not the root cause then your fuel filter may be clogged or your fuel pump is on its way out. Since your car is 23 years old & if the pump is still original then it's running on borrowed time so get ready.
Btw, you've posted yours in the Build Threads & that's the wrong section so you may want to move it into the Normal Threads instead. You can ask DaveGS4, he's the forum admin/moderator to move it for you.
Btw, you've posted yours in the Build Threads & that's the wrong section so you may want to move it into the Normal Threads instead. You can ask DaveGS4, he's the forum admin/moderator to move it for you.
Last edited by Superfast1; 02-22-19 at 09:45 AM.
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