Rough cold start

my '15 is at the dealer now for the reflash and fuel pump. 100K so its on me ~$1200 so not too happy with Toyota as this should have been a recall. I can't really complain I have had 2 tundras for a total of 21 years and 280K and this is the first real repair I have had.

 

I have a 2012 Tundra that is a FFV.
I had the cold hard start problem. I did not take mine in to the dealer. Instead I filled up with E85, and it started great, so I continued with the E85 for about 4 tank fill ups , then switched back to regular with Only 10% ethanol. It’s been about 4 fill ups with regular now and is still running great. The temperature outside during this test ranged from 1 degree Fahrenheit to 37 degrees. So I suggest trying E85 if you have a flex fuel vehicle.

 

Did running e85 for a few fill ups fix the issue permanently? Currently having the same hard start issues on my 2012 ffv and would be paying out of pocket if I took it to the stealership. Also the reflash seems to be hit or miss so Im reluctant to go spend the money for something that may not even work.

 

There is an issue with he vanes in the fuel pump so they are not putting up proper fuel pressure. You will likely have to replace the fuel pump for a lasting fix.

 

This is BS. I can't believe Toyota won't cover this. Very disappointing.

 

Yes,
Running E85 for a few tanks of gas has fixed the problem.
It still starts great. Back to normal.
It’s worth the try. You’ll know within that first tank if it works.
I just figured if it thinks it’s running E85 , I’ll give it E85, and it worked for me.
Then I went back to normal gas, it still starts great.
I hope this information helps.

 

Follow up, New fuel pump and reflash completed at dealer. No more stumble start when cold. It start noticeably better when warm as well which is probably the improved fuel pressure. There is an issue with the vanes in the fuel pumps hence the replacement. I don’t think you are going to really fix things with a fuel swap, but worth a try. BTW my fuel mileage improved around 1 to 1.5 mpg.

 

I bought my first Toyota 2 weeks ago, a 2010 4runner for my wife that was in showroom condition.

It must be infectious, because after swearing never to spend more than 10k on a pickup, 3 days ago I bought a 2017 Tundra Crewmax SR5 TSS in "burnt copper" as I call it.

So imagine the drop in the pit of my stomach when I went out this last evening to start the truck up, and it cranked, cranked, cranked, nothing. 2nd try, same. 3rd try, it started, ran roughly for a few seconds, then seemed to smooth out. It was not "cold" out. ~60's. However, it is a flex fuel, and today for the first time since buying it, the low fuel light came on. I got off the highway, fueled up, and got back on the highway for the remainder of my commute. Parked it around noon, and around 5pm it barely started.

Reading the mega-thread about this problem, it's completely obvious to me I have this issue. From the "Don't drive it hard after filling up", to the "Poor gas mileage", which the dash has peaked at 13.8 after resetting it the day I bought it last week. The tailpipe has lots of carbon deposits, and it seems like it takes a very long time for the motor to warm up enough to stop pushing a cloud of condensation out the tailpipe, with a puddle of water under it, and again, it was like 65 out.

I read through the t-sb-0166-19 bulletin, and the updated flash doesn't seem like it would cost much. But this newer tsb also calls for the fuel pump to be swapped, which I'm 100% sure the dealer is going to give me the run around when I go ask today if he's willing to do this fix without charging me, given that it was a condition that existed before I bought it. I'm sure he's going to stand on the "Used, AS-IS, No Warrantee". We will find out today. I'll run it up the chain if I have to, but don't have much hope.

I have a bluetooth OBD reader coming, if I can check the fuel pressure, and it is/stays within limits, do ya'll think that just getting the reflash will solve the problem? It seems wierd to me that they want to replace the fuel pump, if it is a design flaw, it would effect every truck with that pump... From my reading tonight, it doesn't seem like 100% of Flex-fuel tundra's develop this alcohol density mis-read problem...

 

Had the TSB performed today on my 16 FF. Its coverd under the emissions warranty 8yrs 80,000 miles. They replace the fuel pump and re-flashed the ecm

-Jason

 

3week update-since TSB 0166-19 - it’s been 0 degrees here for a week now and my truck starts like it is supposed to. Thank god they finally figured it out . 14months wait,1new battery that went prematurely because of cold start , 1quarts of oil and 100’s in wasted gas . Plenty Carbon on tail pipe also - anyway this is my 4 tundra , 3rd new 2nd flex and I’m glad they fixed it , I was at my end -flashed 3times prior to recent flash and fuel pump . It’s almost a joke that I had to almost beg and if it wasn’t for this forum I’d still be screwed. So thank you all . & if you have this issue ,show your dealer this thread . Than maybe they’ll listen. - flex bs Thanks again

 

Truck is at the dealer now, the service manager was very very helpful, didn't even let me express my concern before he was walking me over to get scheduled for the repair, told the tech it was all on the dealership and to reference him for any questions. Pretty surprised to be honest. I did get a Bluetooth obd reader, lol, check out the fuel trims and the ethanol readings.

 

Forgot to mention my silver flex is getting way better gas mileage since the new pump/2mi per gal more than it used to ! Just like it was when it was new ! Only thing left to do is get the black carbon off the exhaust tip .

 

Just purchased a 2013 dc rock warrior ffv with 78k miles. Bought it drove it home and very next day had all the issues with the cold start. Crank, barely start, billowing white exhaust etc... truck seemed to be low on power and just seemed off. Called dealer after reading about TSB on this forum and luckily got in under the 80k mile mark. Dealership flashed 1 time while waiting for fuel pump with no change. Had fuel pump replaced last week with a re-flash and the truck runs like its brand new and saw a marked improvement in mileage and power. Been running 91 in the tank. Was absolutely sick over the issue, but am happy to say its running exactly how it should. Morning temps have been -20's to -30's all last week with highs hovering around 0 and not one hesitation on starting. The Dealership suggested I fix the cam tower seeping they found. Not a leak, but a minimal seep on the drvers side. Quoted 2300.00 for that and 479.00 for changing the plugs. I think I will pass on the latter two lol.

 

Update - just drove the tundra on trip about 750 mi there and back and the mileage since new fuel pump is unbelievable 17.9 on highway! Better than when it was new . Just think of all the people with this problem and how much gas they and I have wasted along the line . It adds up . The pump has a big part of the mileage situation. Hope this helps everyone.Thanks again. .

 

Update-just put on 800 more highway miles - 16.8 -17.9 consistant. Around town 14.5 -15.6 . Very happy this issue is solved! I wonder if Toyota cares if a bunch of people with this problem are wasting tons of gas over the time period of dis repair - if it wasn’t for blue smoke and this forums members I’d still be wasting gas . Anybody that has a flex should definitely check there mileage regularly and if it’s low I would push the tsb /fuel pump !!! Otherwise wise I still love my 4th tundra. I will also post what happened to my radio , had a complete replace -Thanks again to all .

 

Will the dealer do the TSB even if no codes are thrown? Mine starts like y'all are describing but no codes.

 

I had no codes at all but I videoed 6 times rough start and blue smoke and many different complaints. Then finally while waiting for there decision it did finally send a code at dealer. By the way my battery went bad premature because of this issue and is a result of this but Toyota corporate says otherwise. Good luck with this, but once it’s fixed you’ll be happy / IMO this should be a recall. Good luck .keep me updated

 

The battery was 3 years and 2weeks old when this happened and I went though the prior tsb when it was a year old .IMO I’ve wasted at least a $1000.00 in gas and my battery. In the end I’m glad they fixed it but I was close to trading it in . Flex fuel bs .

 

Also check your gas mileage-in the end I’m getting 17.9 on highway now vs. 14.1 and 13-15 in town vs 11-12 .that never happened even when it was brand new .check mileage and oil once a week because during this it ate up a1/3 quart of oil , which dealer never acknowledged. I had to add
It! .! Good luck

 

I agree with Silver flex may truck's fuel mileage has improved by a couple of three mpg's. My dealership Mike Erdman Toyota didn't even ask any questions about the hard start. They took my truck gave me a loaner and said see you tomorrow.

-Jason

 

Has anyone done the fuel pump replacement themselves? I'm having this issue now and definitely won't be under warranty, it's at 168k.

 

Same here. All on Toyota's dime. Had 79,500 miles on it. Dodged a bullet on this one. Starts and runs good.