What gas grade should I use for a 90 Camry V6?

[driving90]

Hi everyone,

Last week, I just got my license. As a gift to me, my dad gave me his old 1990 Toyota Camry Automatic V6. Ever since he got it (used in 1992), he's been using fuel grade/octane rating 93. Now, being an almost broke college student and with gas prices so high, I am wondering what lower rating I can get away with. What do my fellow Gen2 Camry owners use? I hope to be able to just use regular 87, but I'm afraid in a car this old, it won't be able to handle it...


P.S.: Does a 1990 camry even have knock sensors?

[HomeGrown]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting your license and Camry!

I just run 87 in my 1991 (4-cyl) and it runs fine. I did put a tank of 89 in it when I first got it a coupel weeks ago though.
You could try a tank of 87 to see how it does, but it may take a bit of time for your computer to adjust to it. I'm pretty sure you'd find that the factory recommendation would be 87, but I could be wrong.

[michoujordan76]

I have a 1991 4 cyl. which requires 87 but according to the manual the V6 engine requires 91.

[WVcamry3sfe]

I've got a '90 camry with a 3sfe. I used 87 for awhile in my car when I got it last summer(2005), until one hot summer day(2006) I noticed the distinct sound of detonation. I have thrown just about everything at this problem I can think of... I've used fuel system cleaner... Changed the spark plugs, changed the spark wires, changed the fuel filter, changed the distributor cap and rotor, checked the ignition timing.... and it still is pinging a little bit even still(when running 87), so I have to suggest 89-91 octane fuel for it. premium is over kill in my opinion. The main thing you need to make sure of is that you're not experiencing any detonation. If you don't hear anything with 87, use it! And no, the toyota camry does not have a detonation detection device, you just have to listen out for it.

[HomeGrown]

Hey WVcamry3sfe, have you tried using different brands of 87? Sometimes there can be a difference between different brands.

[WVcamry3sfe]

yeah, i think I do try different brands from time to time, as I always go for what is lowest in price. So I guess yeah, cheap fuel might be my problem, but I do fill up at Shell occassionally with 87, and I still have heard some ping. but eh... who knows, all I know is that no matter what brand I get, if it's plus grade I don't hear it at all.

I think carbon build up might be the culprit still though. I am in the process of installing headers on my 3sfe, and when I removed the stock manifold... I saw a lot... TONs of carbon build up in each of the four exhaust holes... wonderin if I can just kinda wipe that stuff off with some sort of cleaner before I bolt down the headers fully...?

[boi_si]

Originally Posted by michoujordan76

I have a 1991 4 cyl. which requires 87 but according to the manual the V6 engine requires 91.

2vz and 3vz uses 87 octance but for more performance 91, saids in the owners manual from my 89 and my bros 93.

we both use 87 and runs normally. if you often race with the car, i stick with premium. we just drive normally.

i havent seen any 93 octance nowdays.

[driving90]

Originally Posted by boi_si

i havent seen any 93 octance nowdays.

are you serious? all the stations around northern virginia carry 93.

alright, it looks like i could get away with mid-grade, even regular fuel. would it harm the engine if i mixed grades? instead of stepping down a whole entire grade, if it would be possible, i would want to ease the transition...mixing a tank or 2 with 93/91(89?) to convert to midgrade, and then test the waters by mixing a little 87 after a few months in mid grade land. if the 87/midgrade mix doesn't have any knocking, i will then ease it down to regular with a few more mixed tanks. again, this is all if grade mixing doesnt kill the engine.

and no, i dont intend on racing...unless you count speeding out of a 18-wheeler's no-zone.

[HomeGrown]

You shouldn't have any issue at all with mixing different grades. It becomes more of an issue on higher compression or turbocharged engines than on our stock engines.

Originally Posted by WVcamry3sfe

....

I think carbon build up might be the culprit still though. I am in the process of installing headers on my 3sfe, and when I removed the stock manifold... I saw a lot... TONs of carbon build up in each of the four exhaust holes... wonderin if I can just kinda wipe that stuff off with some sort of cleaner before I bolt down the headers fully...?

Well, if it's just a thick coating you may be able to wipe some of it off, but obviously you'd still have a lot of it where you can't reach. I saw your thread about the header... I was kind of interested in that. Hope everything goes together good for you.

[boi_si]

BUT............

if the ES250 recommends premium... go with it... i think it does though...

[fredk]

on cold days the 87 does me ok, but i need to go to 89 on hotter days

[marksktr]

in my 91 4cyln i use premium .... not ever getting premium until about a month ago, to my surprise, it makes my baby run a hell of alot better... not to mention mpg jump....

[driving90]

Originally Posted by boi_si

BUT............

if the ES250 recommends premium... go with it... i think it does though...

?

I thought the 90 Camry V6s had a 2VZ-FE engine...

[SymtecX2003]

i always use 91 and some octane booster from advanced and once every 3 to 6 months some octane booster with fuel system cleaner it keeps my 90 dx and others peppy :

[camryfour]

The couple times I did use Premium, I had noticed improvement in mileage and a bit in performance on my 3SFE (4cyl).