03 Sportivo fuel question

[torqueofthedevil]

Hi , im new to the site. Ive just bought an 03 Camry Sportivo in silver. Great car!!! I specialise in European stuff but im very impressed with the smoothness of this thing. Only thing is i only get 400 to a tank running on VPOWER Shell. When she is warm or has been left sitting it take a long crank time to fire up. Is there a fuel pump pressure non return valve that can go faulty? It feels like there is no residual pressure when you go to start her up, but seems fine when running. I have noticed it might be up for a set of platinum tipped plugs soon too.

I feel that the fuel is leaking back. Shame as im very happy otherwise.

Thanks in advance

Jim

[Zeus]

Nice car that! Is it a V6 or just 4cyl? I just use Shell Unleaded in my 98 Camry, and it seems to be more than enough. My advice would be to take it to your local Toyota dealer, tell them what the prob is and they should be able to find what's wrong. My opinion is that the Camry's don't really like high octane fuels.

[leasaunce]

congrats on the car!

I used to fill her up with VPower but not worth it really! Optimax is probably more than enough. I found out that using VPower drains much quicker than regular unleaded.

[torqueofthedevil]

Guys i forgot to mention it is a V6 and the reason i put the high octane stuff in is that when i got the car it pinged a bit but that is gone now with the better fuel, Bp ultimate very good but a bit expensive. The fuel drain back is a worry. But yeah you u guys are right its a very nicely refined car ( OH WHAT A FEELIN HEY)

Cheers

[STYLSH]

The 1mz in the v6 camrys are a very pingy engine. Was told this by a mechanic at a toyota service centre. If i run my car off 93 octane, it pings a little too. But yeah run it on 95 or 98 and you and your engine will love you for it :)

[torqueofthedevil]

Cheers for reply, might have to take it to toyota to have this fuel pressure problem looked at. Runs great but leave it for any length of time takes a long time to start, i think its losing fuel pressure or suffering from some kinda leak back, im sorry to keep on rattling on about this but im new to toyota, i repair Audi and it happened to them too. But hey the value for money with this thing is unreal, wouldnt mind investing on a nice set of wheels too. Any recommendations about wheels?

Again cheers for reply, you guys answer quick the Euro site take forever

Jim

[Zeus]

Well I found that Shell (regular) unleaded is about 95 octane. More than enough for that Camry's. My previous car was European, a 2000 Holden Astra (Vauxhall? Opel?) that car's engine seemed to prefer 98 octane fuel. But yeah, if you think it needs looking at, do it. I recommend Toyota because they know what to look for!

;)

[torqueofthedevil]

Well I found that Shell (regular) unleaded is about 95 octane. More than enough for that Camry's. My previous car was European, a 2000 Holden Astra (Vauxhall? Opel?) that car's engine seemed to prefer 98 octane fuel. But yeah, if you think it needs looking at, do it. I recommend Toyota because they know what to look for!

;)

Cheers for the info

[Rosegum]

If i ever change fuels i re-set my ecu and let it learn how to burn it. I have been using Freedom 95 and 98 in my engines for a long time now and have noticed no ill effects, and doesn't cost the arm+leg. Most of the time I use the same pump to fill up but if i have to fill up elsewhere ill go for a Freedom.

Fuel choice is completely up to you. More RON means more BANG. Don't forget your car hasn't got a clue what fuel you are putting in, so revert it to baby speech and send it back to school with the right foot. I'm pretty sure the V6 would have a knock sensor so it should be able to teach itself how to run right up to the edge of ping valley but no closer. You'll hear a few pings while it's relearning don't worry if you heard it the ECU did too (or you have a faulty knock sensor).

As for a reserve pressure valve i don't know i'll research a bit and see what i can find but as far as i know there isn't. The most likely culprit is the fuel pump itself. If it's worn or faulty it won't provide the engine a regulated fuel pressure, which may tell the ecu not to fire the ignition til pressure is built. Safety to avoid over-leaning.

After the car has been sitting for awhile, try turning the key to on but wait a min or so before trying to ignite. If it fires straight away get a new fuel pump.

Edited September 21, 2007 by Rosegum

[torqueofthedevil]

hayhayhay at last someone who sounds like they are in the know!!!!! Mate im with ya with the ecu thing, think my plugs are due for a change too which wouldnt help matters. Is the fuel pump an internal in the tank? The reason i ask about the fuel pump is when the pressure is up it will start all day long but leave it for any length of time it takes a long crank period.

Cheers for your feedback mate!