2nd Gen Starting Issue (long turn over with failure to start)

Hey all, I was hoping someone might have an answer for me on this since it seems to be a common problem. This is my second 2nd gen tundra and my friend has one as well and all 3 of them have this issue to some degree so it seems fairly common but I havent been able to find anything on it with a generic google search. When I go to start it sometimes it will go through the starting cycle completely without starting, it turns over just fine it just doesnt start and cancels out of the cycle eventually. Then I turn it to the off position and then try again and it has a long cycle but almost always starts the second time. The problem I have is its unpredictable, I havent been able to determine any kind of action that causes it, and its not unlike it to go for close to a month in between events so its hard to diagnose. I have not taken it to a mechanic for it, but I have had a friend hook up his diagnostic to it and there wasnt anything that stood out.

 

is your truck a flex fuel version? does it do any smoking when it starts?

 

i dont believe its flex fuel from what ive seen on it. i havent looked up the vin to see for sure, theres not a badge though. no smoking, it does have a bit of a rich smell as best as i can tell after it finally starts when the even happens.

 

this could also cause the rich smell...

there is a common issue with the flex fuels that the computer is reading/storing the % of Ethanol in the fuel incorrectly and so its dumping too much fuel into the cylinders to start it... they seem to run normally once started. if you get a obdII scanner and an app you can check the ethanol % and see if its too high. normal would be in the 5-15% range as most fuel has +/-10% ethanol in it for emission reasons. I have read some peoples read as high as 75% + when they're having issues. you can search Hard start on the forums and find multiple threads. the "fix" is to have the computer basically reset though techstream so it starts over evaluating the fuel. also the dealers recommend replacing the fuel pump. I have not had the hard starting, but have had the higher than normal % and had the dealer reset it and also had my pump replaced. my % is climbing once again though.

something to check anyway...

 

Would that trigger a check engine light or anything like that. That was the only thing i forgot to mention was that its not giving me any kind of light for it.
Thanks for the input

 

I think typically it does, however not sure 100%....it may be a 'soft' error that is stored in the computer. the dealer mentioned something about a code but im not sure if it actually triggered a check engine light or not. anyway its an easy thing to check and eliminate as a culprit.

 

Im having the same sort of issue with my 2008 Tundra (reg fuel). It used to be random but this last year its gotten to be a regular event. It seems to only happen during hot weather, never in the winter. It will start fine in the morning but once the engine is hot, it will usually only start on the third attempt. especially when the truck is still warm/hot or has sat in the sun. Now that the weather is warming up its starting to act up again. Any thoughts?