Toyota 3S-FE

Toyota 3S-FEThe Toyota 3S-FE is a 2,0 l (1,998 cc, 121.93 cu-in) straight-four 4-stroke natural aspirated gasoline engine from Toyota S-family. This engine was manufactured by Toyota Motor Company from 1986 to 2003.

The Toyota 3S-FE features a cast-iron cylinder block and aluminum head with two camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder (two intakes and two exhaust). The 3S-FE engine has VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) for the intake side (after 1996), Electronic fuel injection (EFI), and a distributorless ignition system for the later version or distributor ignition system for an early version.

An 86.0 mm (3.39 in) cylinder bore and 86.0 mm (3.39 in) piston stroke give the 3S-FE motor a total of 1,998 cc (121.93 cu-in) of displacement. The compression ratio rating is 9.5:1.

The engine produces from 115.6 PS (85 kW; 114.0 HP) at 5,400 rpm to 140.0 PS (103 kW; 138.0 HP) at 6,000 rpm of maximum horsepower and from 155.0 N·m (15.8 kg·m, 114.2 ft·lb) at 2,800 rpm to 186 N·m (19 kg·m, 137.1 ft·lb) at 4,400 rpm of peak torque.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

  • 3 – 3-rd generation engine
  • S – Engine family
  • F – Economy narrow-angle DOHC
  • E – Multi Point Fuel Injection

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine code3S-FE
LayoutFour stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4)
Fuel typeGasoline (petrol)
Production1986-2003
Displacement2.0 L, 1,998 cc (121.93 cu in)
Fuel systemElectronic fuel injection (EFI)
Power adderNone
Power output From 115.6 PS (85 kW; 114.0 HP) at 5,400 rpm
to 140.0 PS (103 kW; 138.0 HP) at 6,000 rpm
Torque output From 155.0 N·m (15.8 kg·m, 114.2 ft·lb) at 2,800 rpm
to 186 N·m (19 kg·m, 137.1 ft·lb) at 4,400 rpm
Firing order1-3-4-2
Dimensions (L x W x H):
Weight~ 140 kg (308.6 lbs)

Cylinder block

The 3S-FE has a cast-iron block, forged steel crankshaft, and five main bearings. The cylinder bore is 86.0 mm (3.39 in) and the piston stroke is 86.0 mm (3.39 in). The compression ratio rating is 9.5:1.

Cylinder block (1996-2003 specs)
Cylinder block alloyCast-iron
Compression ratio:9.5:1
Cylinder bore:86.0 mm (3.39 in)
Piston stroke:86.0 mm (3.39 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil):2 / 1
Number of main bearings:5
Cylinder inner diameter (standard):86.000-86.001 mm (3.3858-3.3859 in)
Piston skirt diameter (standard):85.847-85.857 mm (3.3798-3.3802 in)
Piston ring side clearance:Top0.030-0.070 mm (0.0012-0.0028 in))
Second0.030-0.070 mm (0.0012-0.0028 in)
Piston ring end gap:Top0.270-0.400 mm (0.0106-0.0157 in)
Second0.270-0.410 mm (0.0106-0.0161 in)
Oil0.200-0.700 mm (0.0079-0.0276 in)
Crankshaft main journal diameter:54.998-55.003 mm (2.1653-2.1655 in)
Crankpin diameter:51.985-52.000 mm (2.0466-2.0472 in)

Cylinder head

Cylinder head (1996-2003 specs with VVT-i)
Valve Arrangement:DOHC, belt drive
Valves:16 (4 valves per cylinder)
Valve head diameter:INTAKE
EXHAUST
Valve length:INTAKE97.6 mm (3.8425 in)
EXHAUST98.45 mm (3.876 in)
Valve stem diameter:INTAKE5.970-5.985 mm (0.235-0.2356 in)
EXHAUST5.965-5.980 mm (0.2348-0.2354 in)
Valve spring free length:41.96 mm (1.652 in)
Camshaft lobe heightINTAKE42.01-42.11 mm (1.6539-1.6579 in)
EXHAUST40.06-40.16 mm (1.5772-1.5811 in)

Maintenance data

Valve clearance (HOT)
Intake valve0.19-0.29 mm (0.007-0.011 in)
Exhaust valve0.28-0.38 mm (0.011-0.015 in)
Compression pressure
Standard12.5 kg/m2 / 200 rpm
Minimun10.0 kg/m2 / 200 rpm
Compression differential limit between cylinders1.0 kg/m2 / 200 rpm
Oil system
Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles)up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles)
Recommended engine oil SAE 10W-30, 15W-40
Oil type APISH, SJ, SL
Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) With filter change: 3.9 l (1.0 US gal, 0.9 Imp. gal)
Without filter change 3.7 l (3.9 US.qts, 3.3 Imp. qts)
Oil change interval, km (miles)10,000 (6,000)
Ignition system
Spark plugDENSO: K20TR-11 NGK: BKR6EKB-11
Spark plug gap:1.0-1.1 mm (0.0394-0.0433 in)
Spark plug torque:18 N·m (1.8 kg·m, 13.3 ft·lb)

Valve clearance adjustment data

Calculate the thickness of the new adjusting valve lifter so valve clearance comes within specified values.

R = Thickness of removed valve lifter
N = Thickness of new valve lifter
M = Measured valve clearance

Intake:
N = R + [M – 0.24 mm (0.009 in)]
Exhaust:
N = R + [M – 0.35 mm (0.014 in)]

Valve lifters are available in 17 sizes to range from 2.50 mm (0.0984 in) to 3.30 mm (0.1298 in), in steps of 0.05 mm (0.0020 in).

Example (intake valve):
R = 2.70 mm
M = 0.50 mm
N = 2.70 + (0.50 – 0.35) = 2.85 mm, so we need a valve lifter 2.85 mm (0.1122 in).

Vehicle applications

ModelYears Produced
Toyota Avensis (T220)1997-2003
Toyota Celica (T160)1986-1989
Toyota Celica (T180)1989-1993
Toyota Celica (T200)1993-1999
Toyota Camry (V20)1986-1992
Toyota Camry (V30)1990-1994
Toyota Camry (V40)1994-1998
Toyota Vista (V50)1998-2003
Toyota Caldina (T190)1992-2002
Toyota Caldina (T210)1997-2002
Toyota Carina (T170)1987-1992
Toyota Carina (T190)1992-1998
Toyota Corona (T170)1987-1992
Toyota Corona (T190)1992-1998
Toyota Picnic (XM10)1995-2001
Toyota RAV4 (XA10)1994-2003
Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

ATTENTION! Dear visitors, this site is not a trading platform, an official dealer or a spare parts supplier, so we do not have any price lists or spare parts catalogs. We are an information portal and provide the technical specifications of gasoline and diesel engines.

We try to use verified sources and official documentation, however, differences between sources or errors in entering information may occur. We do not provide advice on technical issues related to the engines operation or repair. We do not recommend using provided information for engines repairing engines or spare parts ordering, use only official service manuals and spare-parts catalogs.

19 Comments

    • On the engine block bit hard to see on some vehicles or if you don’t think engine has been changed usually a silver plate on firewall or near it with details specifications for vehicle

  1. i have cressida 1987 model a stat car.i hve 3sfe 2000cc engine in it….plz told me about the injector for low consuption..it give me 7 to 9 km per later

  2. I did a little research regarding the 3SFE head. They are not the same even though some might look the same. Some have more porting than others, some are for California use with restrictions. Some use large cc injectors and other smaller cc injectors. Once I finish my research, I’ll post it here.

  3. Hello people, I recently bought a Camry 1987 and it has quite excessive engine oil leak.. because of this problem I guess the engine been left without oil at some point and crankshaft is quite noisy.. anyway it will definitely need a full engine rebuild plus cylinder head revision! Can somebody recommend me a source for parts please 🙏🏻 and does anyone knows if there’s any improved parts for it? Thanks in advance!

    • I would like an update on how this went. I also just recently bought a 1989 Camry and it has a similar issue with the crankshaft. Would really appreciate an update, if you don’t mind:)

      • Oski, I was looking something up and saw your post. I have TSRM set for the 1990 Camry you can have. I don’t know if you can PM me on this site.

    • Que otros datos del camry tienes donde tienes la fuga de aceite yo tengo uno del 87 estoy en chile me puedes informar que datos tienes

  4. Ok so I’m wanting to set the clearance on my 3SFE it has shims not valve cups I have the special tools to depress the lifter and the tool to hold it in place while removing the shim and replacing it. I would just like to watch a a video any ideas

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*