Vapor Lock issue? (5 Viewers)

[Tophinator]

Hey everyone, I searched and read through as many of the threads as I could relating to my issue. I'm thankful for that large amount of info, but I couldn't figure out a starting point to my issue.

I have a 07 LC with 230k, I have had it for over 10 years and this issue just started a couple of years ago. This occurs driving from Vegas northbound into higher elevation, and back down to Vegas in temps over 100. When I stop and turn the engine off, it will not restart. I have to wait about 10-15 mins and then It will start and run fine. It has not stalled or had reduced power or anything like that, it just won't restart. There are no engine indications, lights, overheat conditions or anything like that. Im getting the fuel smell from the back of the vehicle, and I can hear the gurgling sound that has been reported in some of the threads. I have maintained it reasonably well over the years, and recently have a new gas cap.

I feel like it's related to filling the tank all of the way, could the solution just be that simple when its hot out, or should I start by replacing the fuel pump and then moving on to insulating the gas tank and messing with the charcoal canister? I also don't currently have a way of doing these modifications by myself, so If someone on here knows a shop or mechanic anywhere between Las Vegas and St George area that might be familiar with these vehicles or this issue that could do the work, please let me know. I have tried two shops in vegas and the toyota dealership there, and they couldn't figure anything out.

Thanks!

 

[OEMGUY0720]

I’m in Las Vegas, don’t hesitate to reach out

 

[Mike NXP]

There are a lot of different folks mentioning these issues and you have a handful of different things you need to think about.

The most important thing to start with is making sense of your engine cooling temperatures. Do you have a scanner to read the temperatures? These can be purchased for cheap.

Once you make sense of your temperatures you can start taking action to get things within spec , if you are running hotter than usual

If you're not running too hot and everything is within spec then you can consider following your fuel lines from the tank to engine and wrapping them in heat tape where the lines run near the exhaust and other hot elements.

Another thing to consider, if you break down again, you can try to open the gas cap or go under the back end and pull a hose off your charcoal canister to see if that vents the system and allows you to start again.

I don't think you have a problem with your fuel pump since the issue only happens under hot conditions with elevation changing... Some folks have mentioned only filling half tank or whatever, just not as full, to help with the issue too. Some folks say ethanol-free fuel is the fix...lots of different opinions out there but you need to get engine temps within spec, I think 194F on your 2007 ?

Here is a thread with way too much info to confuse you even more>>Gas tank building excessive pressure & fuel smell. Dangerous for sure! Why does this happen? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gas-tank-building-excessive-pressure-fuel-smell-dangerous-for-sure-why-does-this-happen.1214321/