Flex Fuel hard cold starts

Hey there, new to this forum. So I’m having the same issue as everyone else with the hard cold starts. I’ve researched all of the forums, got ahold of the service manager today and to my surprise was told before I bring the truck back in for another reflash to at a half tank of gas (87 octane) to fill up with e85. And that he’s seen mixing the fuel will cure the issue... he’s seen it himself work. Has anyone heard anything like this?

 

Welcome!

 

Best advice on using e85 is to not use e85.

 

Welcome from Texas!

 

Haven't heard of that issue. Zero cold start issues myself but then again my 5.7 is non flex fuel and if it was I would never use E85 unless nothing else was available.

 

How cold? I have a FFV and no problems at around 25f in the mornings.

 

Are you having issue starting the truck when it is very cold outside or all the time.? I have a 5.7 Flex Fuel and have no issues with starting. I use 87 octane all the time never used E85.
Remember if you put E85 in your truck, you will need to change the oil after 2500 miles.

Kurt

 

My truck is a FFV (I do not use E85 ever). Yesterday we came back from Germany and my truck was sitting at the airport outside for two weeks, it was 12 degrees and it stared up as soon as I turned the key....couldn't ask for anything more.

I never heard about the issue you describe and, according to you everyone else has.

 

Sounds logical. Maybe it will work. But if you never put the stuff in your truck I wouldn’t start now. I would just as for a reflash.

 

I highly doubt that will solve your problem and personally wouldn't put that crap in my own truck. It will take time, but Toyota will eventually get around to a new ecu flash that will fix the problem. They finally did with second gens and I haven't had a rough start since.

 

Same here, please don't put E85 in your truck...

 

Yeah, If enough people stop using it then maybe the corn wasted on subsidized E85 can be used again to feed cattle and kids....Wishful thinking of course...

 

E85 is terrible. Dont use it. Have them check the alcohol content reading with the techstream. They may need to do perform the service bulletin and reset everything. Mine crept up to 48%.

 

I have FF and NEVER use E85. It has been pretty cold here the last couple of weeks and it is just now starting to warm back up. We had some days with temps in the single digits and I have not had any starting issues. Also, welcome from CO!

 

I use standard pump 87 octane rating that has ethanol mixed in. even with -26F ambient never had any issues starting the truck. granted I started the truck once a day to make sure the battery was recharged since I don't have a battery warmer or block heater or used any heet.

 

I drive my 2017 everyday and in the morning I've started it at -6F with no problems. I only use 87 E10 octane would rather run 100% gas but its $4 gallon here. We have winter blend gas at the pumps maybe it's the gas station you are using?

 

Good point about switching pumps. Actually I only use Top Tier branded gas, 87 octane never had a problem with a Ford, a Ram and now the Tundra (all FFV).

 

Mine is a FFV I have never ran E85 I have tried the 91 octane didn't notice any difference so I just run 87 never have had a starting issue

 

I agree, 91 octane is a waste of money unless you have a tune that requires it.

 

I've never seen the point of using e85 unless it's for performance gains. The offset of the lowwe price doesn't make up for the lack of mpgs.

Now, slap one of those Magnuson SCs on there and give it a nice e85 tune then sign me up.

 

I had my ecu updated back in august. I haven't had any issues with hard starts since then. However, I still use ethanol free fuel as much as possible.

 

Maverick "pure" gas with Adventure Nitro Card cost me $2.47 a gallon here in Aurora, CO on Sunday.

 

I also get my ethanol free at Maverik. Costs the same as 91 E10.

 

I think Maverick started in Utah or maybe Wyoming. A recent arrival to CO. My new go to gas place. Their pizza doesn't suck either....

 

Yep, I believe they started in Wyoming, and they have their headquarters in SLC. I've lived in WY, UT, and CO, so I've had my fair share of Maverik food, haha. They have a gourmet menu as far as gas stations are concerned.

 

Quite frankly I'd drive out of my way to get gas at Maverick.....but.....I have one 3 blocks away....Score!!!!!

 

I have a 2016 FFV 5.7L V8 4x4 crewmax. I feel the need to notify the public that my car was having really really bad rough starts in the morning - didn’t matter if weather was cold or warm - first start of the day always sounded like the engine was choking. I googled online and found this site and many other message boards about the Alcohol Density Calculation problems and the need to “reflash” the ECM (see Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0058-13).
I took the truck in to the dealer yesterday, they did a cold start this morning after it sat in the lot overnight, and concluded it had this problem that is specific to FFV Tundra engines.
The service advisor said that Toyota just came out with a new TSB a few days ago updating the old TSB so that it now covers the fuel pump and the “reflashing” of the ECM, it now also covers all FFV Tundras from 2009 - 2019. The new TSB is T-SB-0166-19.
So I hope this info helps, hit up your dealer if you are having enginestart-up problems with your FFVengine Tundras, and pass the word around!
If I had known about these engine issues, I would have NEVER bought a FFV engine!!!
This TSB engine fix is only good if you’re under 96 months or 80,000 miles!!!

 

Thanks for the info. May I ask if you usually use E85 or regular gas? Just trying to see if this is a FFV system specific issue or related to the system including the usual gas that is used in the vehicle.

 

Does anyone have a subscription to see Technical Service Bulletins? Maybe we can get a forum account going and toss some donations at it to keep it going?

https://www.toyota.com/support/#!/app/answers/detail/a_id/7656