93 Octane

any other advantages to using 93 octane as opposed to 87/89 other than no more pinging under a load. (2.7) 4-cylinder. I figure it just getting old. 255,000 miles.

 

No. Stick with the regular stuff. Living in Iowa I always run the 87 w/ ethanol. My taco has always run great.

 

Rated performance is with 93 octane but your engine SHOULD run fine because the computer will adjust the timing to prevent pinging. You might see a tiny MPG increase with 93 but you're also spending probably .20 more a gallon for it and I've yet to see anyone have a big enough MPG gain to justify the expense. Run what you like though, it's your $$$

 

Well, I don't like the pinging, and it def doesn't ping now. I agree it shouldn't, but it does. Any suggestions on how to stop the pinging without 93?

 

higher octane is at least .75 cents more expensive here than 87

 

Try mid grade

 

Here: http://bfy.tw/7Ync

 

I use mid grade, 89 octane. Hear no pinging and runs great.

 

If it's truly preignition you are hearing, thus the higher octane fixes it, you may have a case of excess carbon that has

1) artificially raised compression (just due to mass)

2) absorbs fuel enough to create a leaner condition.

If the truck has been 'pampered', ie never run the motor in high RPMs, never pull a load of significance, I'd lean even more that way.

When were the plugs last changed? What they look like will be helpful with diagnosis as well.

Just being 'old' does not mean you should have ping.

 

I can try mid-grade. Apparently my computer is not compensating, because I have absolutely no pinging with higher octane, but with 87, when the engine is under a load accelerating, it pings.

 

Thanks Clearwater Bill. The truck is not pampered. I put 140 miles a day on it. It's mostly interstate, 70MPH. I do 70-75, so I would think that carbon wouldn't be a problem. Plugs: I put new stock iridiums from Toyota in it about 6 months ago. Installed a new timing chain at approx 248,000; truck gets regular oil changes. The truck runs great; pinging is just aggravating. And...sometimes it feels like it's bogging down under acceleration; like it can't get out of it's own way. But that just happens sometimes, like when merging onto the interstate. But most times, it accelerates just fine.

 

Actually that's a great example of pampering. While it's a nice stable operating temperature, it's just low RPM cruising.

Ever hear the term 'Italian tuneup'? That kind of driving is exactly what caused the need for it.

Get that RPM up higher (like 5k) in lower gears in some city driving or by manual shifting on those on ramps.

Do some reading on de-carbonization techniques. You sound like a handy guy, I'll wager you can get it done via DIY methods. And then you can quit wasting $ on premium fuel.

A borescope to have a look around in a cylinder or two might be useful. Maybe you can find one to borrow at a parts house tool lending program.

 

I'll give it a try. I've heard this 2TR-FE 2.7 is a good engine, so no complaints there. Thanks for the input. Yea, I sure don't like buying the 93.

 

I have an 05 with the V6. I use 92 octane all the time now. My truck will ping a liitle under acceration with 87. The truck just plain runs better with 92. The manual states "for increased performance run higher octane fuel."

 

In a V6 myself and have had pinging from day 1 on 87 octane while under heavy acceleration and high rpm or if i'm pulling a trailer with a heavy load (over 1,000 lbs + trailer weight). I took the truck in for it and was told there is a TSB to help the pinging issue. Tech told me i'm better off running higher octane than doing the TSB. He wasn't 100% on what exactly the flash did as they were never given details except on how to perform it. His assumption was it de-tuned the engine a little so it would run better on 87 octane so I decided against it.

Since then I've switched to 93 octane and only when pulling a heavy load with a trailer and having to do heavy accelerating does the engine ping.

Every oil change I pour in a Lucas Oil fuel cleaner/conditioner into the tank when its low and then fill it all the way up to help keep the motor clean on the inside. I have not had a carbon bulidup check done but I don't think I need it as the pinging has not gotten any worse the more and more miles I put on it. I am currently at 125,000 miles averaging about 80 - 100 miles per day. I average about 19 MPG's per tank.

 

I've been back and fourth on octane. Went back to 87. 93 seemed ok but fuel milage remained the same. 87 and FP60 plus every fill up is my next test.

 

Never heard mine ping on 87 octane even while towing 3200 lbs. OP, try running some Sea Foam and blow that carbon out of there.

 

Depends on where you are. Here on the west coast it's usually only a .30 cent difference. I had a case of sticker shock when I was traveling around South Dakota and saw 91 selling for $0.80 to $1 more per gallon. I ran one tank of 87 and while traveling around the Black Hills I noticed a lot of pinging. Next tank was 91 and no more pinging.

 

I did the sea foam once, about 6 months ago. I guess I could do it once more.

 

Seems like I read on TW that if your engine is pinging you need to adjust the valves or get a tuneup or something. Could have just dreamed it. Been known to happen.