SCBlack02

I am a newbie! Greetings to all!
After filling up the tank on my 02' SC 430, it really struggles to start and have to floor it and keep cranking the starter. It finally kicks in. After that, I can drive 25 yds, shut it off, and it starts right up every time. I have replaced the cannister purge valve (not aftermarket part) which I heard was the issue, but that did not help!!!! This happen to anyone else? Thanks.

Bgw70

welcome to Club Lexus, we will do our best to help.

do you think you have bad fuel?
can you go drive 100miles then fill up with premium?

why did you jump right to a purge valve?
reset the mpg monitor, go drive and tell us what you have.

is everything else okay...oil level, antifreeze in radiator?

so so many questions but we need more data...thanks :-)

SCBlack02

Bad gas? Don't think so, I fill all of our cars at the same place (Costco) with no problems ever. All else is good. Always premium gas. New plugs as well. Runs and drives perfect other than when I get gas. Can drive it one mile, shut it down, starts right back up again every time. Purge valve was something i saw posted on youtube and figured "what the heck?'

GmanSC

Was it happened every time you got the gas or just this time?

Bgw70

do you stop when it clicks the first time or do you push more fuel?
trying to help you...

SCBlack02

Every time I get gas. Weird!

SCBlack02

Appreciate the help very much! I just let the pump shut itself down. I do not "Top off" as Costco puts it. Thanks for the help!!!

GmanSC

Do the gas paddle reset:

1. Turn the key to ON. Do not start the car.
2. Floor the gas paddle.
3. Turn off the key.

It might help. I don’t think your problem caused by topping off the fuel though it’s not a good idea to do so.

718SC

What CEL code do you get?
Do you have a check engine light on? If so you can use a obd2 to get the code. If you don't have one you can always stop by an autozone and they can check it for free.

SCBlack02

Haven't heard of that one, but I'll try it. Thanks much!

SCBlack02

Not sure what CEL code is? I have an OBD2 tool. Nothing shows up, no check engine lights, nothing. Just a TPMS light in which I am going to take out with a Glock!

Harold57

After driving 25 yards and shutting it off, did you start right up or wait 10 minutes or so to simulate the time that it takes to fill the tank? It may be that there is a heat related pressure rise behind this. When you said that it struggles to start, what is the engine doing? I wouldn't think that flooring it would help and more than likely hurt its chances to start, unless it actually started and is just on the brink of shutting down.

SCBlack02

I don't think it is heat related since the gas station is literally less than 1/2 mile from my house with no traffic snarls. When cranking, it just spins like normal. I have done the shut down 5 - 10 minutes then re-start with no problem. After sitting 2 weeks, no problem. Just after I get gas. I have also tried putting gas in a smallish container (~2.5 gallons) and transferred to tank = no problem.

GmanSC

Next time, try to fill only half of the tank to see if the problem still occurs. This is interesting problem.

Wilson2000

Here's a SWAG (silly wild a%# guess) diagnosis...the fuel pump. The pump is warmed-up from driving. Upon re-filling, you put cold gas in the tank. The thermal shock momentarily creates an "open" in the pump motor circuitry or windings.

You already addressed the more likely culprit, the purge valve, but since that didn't fix it, you may have to dig deeper into the EVAP system to find a defective part, i.e., check or control valve, leaking hose/canister, sensor or such.

Good luck and please keep us posted!