I too have experienced incorrect fuel gauge readings and decided to try the Techron additive because I have no Chevron stations within hundreds of miles. When I opened the Techron bottle the odor was suspiciously familiar, where upon I read the ingredients, among which was "Stoddard Solvent". If I'm not mistaken, Stoddard Solvent is a major ingredient in parts washers. My question is: What will be the long term effect of adding parts washing solution to my gasoline?.... because it does a great job of removing oil from metal in a parts washer. Granted, it won't be used on a continuous basis, but what is it doing beyond the fuel tank?

 

It sounds like it would be like adding acetone to your gas, maybe?

There is a whole following of people doing the acetone to the fuel thing, I am trying it on my bonneville. I am sure that is about all the solvent really is and should not hurt a thing if it is.

 

Not magic stuff at all. Ingredients from MSDS/Label :

Chemical CAS No Unique ID %
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene 000095-63-6 <7.5
Cumene 000098-82-8 <1.5
Xylene (mixed isomers) 001330-20-7 <3.0
Stoddard solvent 008052-41-3 >1.0
Solvent naphtha, petroleum, light aromatic 064742-95-6 >1.0

Caution: Light Aromatic Solvent Naphtha. Do not use or store near flame, spark or hot surface. Use only in well ventilated area. Keep container closed. Clean up spills immediately. Liquid evaporates and forms vapors (fumes) which can catch fire and burn with explosive violence. Invisible vapors spread easily and can be set on fire by many sources such as pilot lights, welding equipment and electric motors/switches. Fire hazard is greater as liquid temperature rises above 85oF. Avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of vapor or contact with skin or eyes. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling can be harmful or fatal. First Aid: If swallowed, do not make person vomit. Call a doctor immediately. If product gets on the skin, wash with soap and water. If product gets in eyes, flush with water for 15 minutes while holding eyelids open. Remove contact lenses, if worn. If irritation persists, see a doctor. If overcome by vapors, move patient to fresh air. If not breathing, apply artificial respiration and call a doctor. Note to physician: For emergency information call 1-800-231-0623. Ingestion of this product or subsequent vomiting can result in aspiration of light hydrocarbon liquid which can cause pneumonitis. Prolonged breathing of vapors can cause central nervous system effects.

 

Thanks for the MSDS and the replies. It's the long term effect of the Stoddard Solvent that I question. It has an excellent ability to remove lubricating materials.

 

I had the fuel gauge problem when I was using Chevron with Techron. On advice from the head mechanic at West Coast Corvettes, I switched to Mobil and the problem went away. Hope this helps.

 

Oh yeah, forgot - The amount used should not hurt anything in the fuel system. Afterall, "You may find this solvent in older dry-cleaning shops that have been around for a while. It is safer for cleaning dresses with sequins and beads than perchloroethylene. The Stoddard solvent shouldn't melt beads and sequins or affect the glue if they are glued on."

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1995. Toxicological profile for Stoddard solvent. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service:

"Stoddard solvent is a colorless, flammable liquid that smells and tastes like kerosene. It will turn into a vapor at temperatures of 150–200 °C.

Stoddard solvent is a petroleum mixture that is also known as dry cleaning safety solvent, petroleum solvent, and varnoline; its registered trade names are Texsolve S® and Varsol 1®. It is a chemical mixture that is similar to white spirits.

Stoddard solvent is used as a paint thinner; in some types of photocopier toners, printing inks, and adhesives; as a dry cleaning solvent; and as a general cleaner and degreaser.

Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) the Public Health Service, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)."

Stoddard solvent is a multipurpose petroleum solvent (McDermott 1975). Industrial uses include paint vehicles; thinning agent for paints, coatings, and waxes; printing inks; adhesives; and as a solvent in liquid photocopier toners (Air Force 1989b; McDermott 1975). Stoddard solvent is commonly used at air fields as a degreaser for precision engine parts in machine shops and in automotive repair applications.

 

Back when I lived in Houston I used Cheveron with Techron all the time with no problems. Here in Missouri I can't get Cheveron, so I use whatever I can find and i've used a bottle of the Techron additive with no problems. Now that eveyone in the area stoped carring 93 octatine... I might have problems!

So if you know a place in Springfield, MO with 93 Octate, PM me!

 

I just did it yesterday. My guage quit working on my first drive of the season, So I put two bottles in and filled the tank. The guage started working almost instantly. I won't know if it is a permanant fixe until I run a few tanks of gas through it.

 

My gauge did the same thing this morning and have run nothing but Chevron w/ Techron in the last month and a half. I've only seen this problem one other time. I will monitor the situation and update.

 

If you think Stoddard solvent will remove lubricants you shoud see what the Xylene will do. It is a major component of carburetor cleaner.
However, as mentioned the dilution rate when a bottle is added to a tank of gas is so great that it wont cause any problems.