We have just purchased a 2Y F series 1812 cc Petrol Spacecruiser. I have as yet been unable to find out wether it is safe to run on unleaded, the previous owner seemed unsure. Can any one help?
- (#3986) Tim Lellow, 26 Jul 02
To my knowledge, all jap vehicles from the mid-70's onward are OK for unleaded
- (#3988) david miller, 26 Jul 02
Beg to differ I'm afraid. The Hiace 12R engine late 70s needed leaded. The Spacecruiser owners handbook states 97 Octane fuel for the 3Y series engine. The 2Y came out before the 3Y so I guess it needs 97 octane as well. It doesn't say whether leaded or unleaded but IIRC unleaded is 95 RON.
I think a call to a Toyota dealer for confirmation is in order. If it transpires you need leaded don't buy the LRP muck. Have a look at this site http://www.broquet.co.uk
Ian
- (#3989) Ian Dunse, 26 Jul 02
The issue with unleaded is valve seat recession. The difference in octane is easily dealt with by a slight (1-2 degree)retart in ignition timing.
- (#3990) David miller, 26 Jul 02
As David says, unleaded requires head to have hardened valve seats, otherwise they crack after many miles due to there being nothing to lubricate the seats (Ie lead). If you find the engine needs to have unleaded @ 97 octane, then WYNNS do an excellent additive that goes in at 1 ml per litre of unleaded, this adds a lead substitute, and increases the octane back from 95 to 97 RON. It cost around £5.00 for 250ml, thus about 2p per litre treated, so alot cheaper than LRP anyway. If it doesn't need leaded for the valve seats then as David suggests a couple of degrees retarding on the ignition will stop it 'pinking' but may also rob you of a few horsepower (lower potential energy in the fuel anyway), so another possibility would be to add an octane booster, use unleaded & leave the timing alone. Please let us know the results of your findings as it could help other PETROL owners. Regards Rob. P.S. as it's a UK spec Spacecruiser it is probably listed in all the AUTODATA publications, and as such you should be able to get the info there.
- (#3999) Rob Drinkwater, 26 Jul 02
Of course we are talking VSR but IIRC Toyota were one of the earlier manufacturers to cater for unleaded and went through a period of making engines that could accept either fuel. At the time of the changeover to U/L in this country, anyone in doubt was recommended to contact their dealer for confirmation. Good advice as I found out with an old HIACE as so called "people in the trade" were giving bum information. Toyota have access to tech details and will say if a particular engine model/year will have hardened seats and so take unleaded with just a minor change to ignition timing.
I honestly can't remember if I ran my old Space on leaded or U/L. I would bet on unleaded but to be sure a call to the dealer wouldn't go amiss. As for lead replacements look into it carefully. There's plenty of independant research material on the web. Blindly going for a brandname product ain't necessarily best in this case.
- (#4028) Ian Dunse, 29 Jul 02