2002 V6 Camry (1MZ-FE) - wierd performance issue

Hi,

I recently had my car serviced at 18,000kms, and it ran beautifully.

After filling the tank on the next occasion (using 98 octane fuel), it started to, well...no longer drive as effortlessly, as if I was using a fuel whose octane rating was too low. Nothing's actually 'faulty', but it's certainly not what it was before.

When the A/C compressor kicks in, the idle speed will sometimes drop too low down (around 600rpm) whereas normally it idles at around 800rpm. I remember noticing this issue back when the car was newer and my mechanic advised me to switch to a higher octane fuel (which I've been using ever since, and it has worked).

Could I have filled up with a dud batch of fuel? Could it be that the reservoir was connected to the wrong pump at the station or something? Perhaps the oxygen/knock sensors are not working the way they should be, so that the timing is not retarding as much as it should with leaner fuel. This engine uses dual knock-sensors from my understanding.

I will try adding octane booster to the current tank of fuel and see if this helps, but I suspect that the knock sensors are not doing their job, somehow. Any advice, opinions or feedback would be much appreciated.

FWIW, I've just switched from a mineral blend oil to full synthetic, if that helps.

Michael.

Reply to
Michael Barry
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I too own a 2002 Camry LE V6 and use only Esso (Exxon) 91 grade octane. I didn't know 98 octane existed.

As for performance, I have no issues with my vehicle. I put a bottle of Redline Complete Fuel System Cleaner SL1 every 5,000 KM and that keeps the smoothness in acceleration. Here is the Redline info:

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I also use Mobil 1 5W30 Synthetic oil and change it every 6,500 km to 7,000 km.

Reply to
Car Guy

Shell Optimax in Oz is rated at 98 RON. I assume the octane rating system must be different between the US and Oz?

This fuel normally produces effortless acceleration compared with regular, lower octane fuels which require a bit more of a heavy foot to get the same results. Unfortunately, I'm getting these average results with this premium fuel with the tank I'm currently on. Are bad batches possible? Has anyone noticed differences like this from one tank to the next?

Michael.

Reply to
Michael Barry

Michael,

Here is a list of Redline Dealers:

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.Redline sells for about $11 Canadian a bottle but its well worth it. Also, there have been some issues in Toronto, Canada with shell fuel as their additives have been causing drivability issues with various vehicles (Mercedes Benz, GM, Chrysler, etc.). I have been using Esso Premium Unleaded fuel (91 octane) since day 1 on my car and I have no drivability concerns. In my Camry manual, they recommend 91 octane or higher for improved performance. I have used some Sunoco Ultra 94 octane and did not find any difference in performance, except it costs more $$.

What I do is take the bottle of redline and put it in the tank when it is

1/4 full and then top off the tank with high octane fuel. I then drive the car and refuel when the fuel gauge goes below 1/4 tank. This time around, I put another bottle in the tank and topped it off again. I saw a big improvement with 1 bottle, but not much with the second bottle. I find that I can easily accelerate by just using my toe on the gas pedal. I hardly have to push it to get the car to accelerate smoothly. On occasion when I did use the entire foot to press the gas pedal down, I end up spinning tires and look like a hot rod wanna be burning rubber in the sedan :^)

I put the fuel injector cleaner right before I plan on getting the oil changed so that when the tank is empty and refueled with fuel, I then get the oil changed. This means I use the Redline product every 6,000 km to

8,000 km. I use the product before oil changes just in case any particles that come off the fuel system after cleaning do not circulate in the engine oil.
Reply to
Car Guy

Could be bad fuel or something that clogged the fuel filter. Switch brands (maybe to a midgrade) and see what happens. If the problem persists, you may need to filter checked.

Reply to
Mark A

I just checked with my mechanic, who felt that the problem must be a bad batch of fuel (since he just serviced the car a week or so ago, he was able to eliminate all other possibilities). Apparently it can happen, and I'm not the first customer to mention this issue. He's also experienced it himself.

I will look into the fuel filter issue if the next tank of fuel of so doesn't clear up the problem.

Thanks to the group for your help again!

Michael.

Michael.

Reply to
Michael Barry

Just as a final follow up to those who may have been following this thread:

I added some Wynn's octane boost to the fuel that's currently in there to see what would happen.

Several kilometres later, the smoothness we all know and love from our V6 Camry's is back!

So dud fuel it was.

Reply to
Michael Barry

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