Corvette_Ed

Yesterday when I started my 2000 the Reserve Fuel warning came on, which was a surprise because the last time I drove the car I still had well over a quarter tank left. I never let my tank drop below a quarter full and had been planning on filling up prior to heading out and was shocked to see that warning. When I filled up the total amount indicated that I did in fact have over a quarter tank of gas left. Obviously I've got a sticky sending unit so I need something to dump in the tank to clean things up and have noticed a few people mention Techron. Is this the best additive to use for this?

oh1vette

Yes

and on sale too

Corvette_Ed

Even better. On sale is always good.

And thank you.

REZ1

Many have good results running different Brands of gas, Shell
being one of them I believe. You could do a search.
Good Luck!

Corvette_Ed

I don't put anything but Shell gas in my car. I learned the hard way that you get what you pay for when it comes to gas.

KingTut

Remember that there are two gas tanks on the car. So you might need to put some in when 3/4 full - but you will have to wait until it is back down to the 1/4 or so level to put most of it in.

I have this same issue and so do a lot of guys. Also it works best while the car is sitting - it is not a run it through the engine fix. Put it in just before you put the car to bed for a rest.

Jim

Corvette_Ed

Thanks for that reminder; I hadn't thought about there being two tanks. I'm getting down close to a quarter tank now. I'm actually having a bit of fun running around at higher RPM's trying to burn down the full tank I had to put in when this problem started.

I did stop and pick up two bottles of Techron at my local Autozone this past weekend. The last two 20 gal. bottles they had.

I'll probably put a bottle in come Friday after I pick my little gearhead girlie up from daycare. I should be right at a quarter tank by the time I get back home, and the car will sit until I head up north to meet Toque and crew on Sunday, at which time I'll be filling up for the drive. That will give the stuff two days to work its magic on the first tank. Once I get back home the car will sit at least a day and a half before I take her out again, so I'll put the other half of the bottle in then. I'll rinse and repeat as soon as I get a chance to with the second bottle.

oh1vette

I just dump the whole bottle in at fill up....even the 20gal one.....

Ron222

Here's a link you might be interested in...Everything you wanted to know about Top Tier Gasolines.

Ron222

http://www.toptiergas.com/

LoneStarFRC

Add both Chevron and Texaco gas stations to your list. Both have Chevron's proprietary additive "Techron" in the fuel as well.

RonSSNova

Personally, I wouldn't count on it fixing the problem very quickly.

Ron

Corvette_Ed

You know, I hadn't thought about that. I knew Chevron had it but didn't recall this little fact until seeing your post. Next few fillups will be at the Chevron down the street so I can make sure to thoroughly flush my entire system over the course of a couple of months. Thanks for the reminder.

Corvette_Ed

I'm not, but since this is the first time it's happened in the 6 months I've owned the car I don't think the problem is that advanced.

LoneStarFRC

Both Chevron and Texaco are part of the same company now, that's why Texaco also has Techron in it as well. Next time you cruise by a Texaco, look for the Techron logo on the pump.
It's always good to have options, especially when traveling away from home.

LoneStarFRC

Definitely can't hurt. Just keep an eye on your mileage-traveled for awhile. If the warning repeatedly kicks on somewhere in the 150/160 to 175 mi range, you may be due for a right-tank fuel pump module.

B747VET

OK... Tell us more please. Since I don.t know where the tank fuel lines are:

1. Which tank burns first?
2. Which tank fills first?
3. What is significance of 150-170 miles of burn?

Many thanks...

ZeeOSix

Just put a full bottle in and fill up completely ... then both tanks/sensors are treated.

LoneStarFRC

1. ALL gas going to the engine comes from the left tank only. HOWEVER, gas from the right tank is simultaneously being transferred to the left tank at the same time while driving. IF the right tank pump fails, it's contents will not go to the left tank and, since the engine is then being supplied ONLY by the left tank, the left tank then eventually empties and the engine dies while the right tank is still full.
2. Left tank. Once full, the large crossover tube at the top allows gas to flow over into the right tank and it, in turn, fills (assuming it was empty in the first place).
3. That mileage is roughly the "half-tank" point depending on the particular car and the fuel mileage it achieves. Each vehicle varies depending if it's stock or modified, etc.

Constant fuel warnings that show up after you have previously filled up and you know you have only driven a certain distance that is substantially less than "normal" (by checking the actual miles traveled on your odometer) is a really good indicator the right tank pump has or is failing. Another sign is when you try to fill up after having run out of gas (literally) and the car will only accept approx 7-9 gals of fuel.

HTH

B747VET

Thanks for the explanations. I'm hazarding the left pump only feeds the engine and the right pump only transfers fuel to the left tank when triggered by .... ??

Again, without having fuel system schematics in hand, I'm guessing that a C5 driver should routinely endeavor to top off when refueling or will the fuel in a topped off left tank slowly meter into an empty right tank?

Are there standpipes and baffles to facilitate a balanced condition even if one pump is weak or dead?