Bad Gas...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 2
Bad Gas...
Well I filled up at Diamond Shamrock before heading out to the DFW Poker Run today, and on the way home my gas gauge/HUD goes from showing a full tank to "Low Fuel" in the blink of an eye. I get to a gas station and check under the car; no leaks. Not wanting to run out of gas I put some in and proceed to drive home. It only took a few dollars, so I knew I still had gas in the tank. When I get home and immediately check the forum to what could be happening. After a search I found out that the gas I put in this morning (93 octane) probably had too much sulfur in it and is causing the sensor to malfunction. At first I was all worried that I was going to have to get it into the stealership, but thanks to the forum I will run a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner or two through it and hope that works. I have never had a bad tank of gas before (and that location is the main gas station that I fill up at). I don't think I will be going there anymore. Be careful, even when filling it with premium 93 octane.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
Don't expect the problem to clear up and allow you to run w/o techron either. Every time I try to use another gas my gauge does that little trick. I now use strictly Chevron unless there is nothing else available. If you don't have Chevron in your area I'd make a habit of running another top tier gas and adding techron every oil change.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Wheeew...I've had that all morning...
Ahheemm...I try to use Mobil premium all the time in my 04 and I've never had a problem. Occasionally I throw in a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner or Sea Foam in the tank just to keep thinks clean. I do this on my other vehicles as well....
Bob
Ahheemm...I try to use Mobil premium all the time in my 04 and I've never had a problem. Occasionally I throw in a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner or Sea Foam in the tank just to keep thinks clean. I do this on my other vehicles as well....
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I've been using Shell (mostly) and BP (once and a while) in my '98 for the last 8 years. Fortunately, I've never had one problem w/ inaccurate fuel readings.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
So far so good, I try to use premium from top tier gas stations; so far that has worked.
However, as a side-note, with the spike in gas prices, it seems like a number of drivers are going down a grade to save money. This leaves fewer premium customers which may result in higher premium prices and old gas??
However, as a side-note, with the spike in gas prices, it seems like a number of drivers are going down a grade to save money. This leaves fewer premium customers which may result in higher premium prices and old gas??
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: dallas ft worth tx
You Got Read This!!!!!!
Originally Posted by sxe60
Just use Chevron and now, after the merger, Texaco. Both have Techron as an additive. I use them whenever I can and haven't had a gas gauge problem.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by MEATHEAD
I HATE TO BE THE BAD NEWS HERE, BUT HERE IT GOES.I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND TO LET YOU KNOW.ALL GAS INCLUDED ALL FLUIDS COME DOWN THE SAME PIPE LINE. AND I DUE MEAN ALL TRANS JET AND SO ON. A LOT TIME YOU GET A MIX NOT TO SAY ITS NOT 89 OR 93, BUT TRUST ME SOME TIMES IT HAS A LITTLE MORE THAT ITS SO CALLED GAS. AND FYI THE TRUCKS THAT DELIVER IT.WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY HAD IN THE TANKS BEFORE THEY DROP THERE FIRST LOAD.
In addition to being hard for many to read, typing in all caps is often considered as yelling on the Forum.
Last edited by GrayC5; Jun 11, 2006 at 03:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by MEATHEAD
I HATE TO BE THE BAD NEWS HERE, BUT HERE IT GOES.I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND TO LET YOU KNOW.ALL GAS INCLUDED ALL FLUIDS COME DOWN THE SAME PIPE LINE. AND I DUE MEAN ALL TRANS JET AND SO ON. A LOT TIME YOU GET A MIX NOT TO SAY ITS NOT 89 OR 93, BUT TRUST ME SOME TIMES IT HAS A LITTLE MORE THAT ITS SO CALLED GAS. AND FYI THE TRUCKS THAT DELIVER IT.WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY HAD IN THE TANKS BEFORE THEY DROP THERE FIRST LOAD.
Secondly, each company adds their own additives at the tank farm. In Chevron's case they add techron after it's received at the tank farm. Each company delivers their own gas, so anything that goes into the Chevron truck has techron added. I suppose it's possible you get a slightly lesser octane if the truck hauled 87 octane the load before but I personally believe the dilution would be minimal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,490
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by EricR-TX
Well I filled up at Diamond Shamrock before heading out to the DFW Poker Run today, and on the way home my gas gauge/HUD goes from showing a full tank to "Low Fuel" in the blink of an eye. I get to a gas station and check under the car; no leaks. Not wanting to run out of gas I put some in and proceed to drive home. It only took a few dollars, so I knew I still had gas in the tank. When I get home and immediately check the forum to what could be happening. After a search I found out that the gas I put in this morning (93 octane) probably had too much sulfur in it and is causing the sensor to malfunction. At first I was all worried that I was going to have to get it into the stealership, but thanks to the forum I will run a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner or two through it and hope that works. I have never had a bad tank of gas before (and that location is the main gas station that I fill up at). I don't think I will be going there anymore. Be careful, even when filling it with premium 93 octane.
It just so happened the next gas station I found was a Chevron. I have read good things about Chevron here but I don't use it at home (NJ) becuase the nearest station is in MD. Anyway it only took 11 gallons to fill and the gauge corrected itself right away. Two weeks later I haven't had any problems.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 17
From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Cheveron. Everytime. Costs a little more, but I've never had problems with a tank of gas from them. Those who claim it all comes from the same place are just uninformed. Stick with a tier one supplier and you'll have fewer problems.
BTW, the black wheels look great!
BTW, the black wheels look great!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Sea FOAM works great too! I was told to try it in my full tank of gas and it worked really well. I love the stuff and recommend it, after you burn the bad poop out!
Vette Dan
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
I just had same problem. Never use anything but Conoco or Phillips 66 gas gauge went nuts after filling up. Techron didn't help and dealer replaced right tank sensor.
I'm under warranty. Check your codes.
I'm under warranty. Check your codes.
Race Director
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From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Originally Posted by EricR-TX
Well I filled up at Diamond Shamrock ... After a search I found out that the gas I put in this morning (93 octane) probably had too much sulfur in it ... I have never had a bad tank of gas before ... I don't think I will be going there anymore.
Techron is the answer. It may take a couple bottles, but it will help.
Also if it happens while you are driving you can get into the DIC and reset the code (cause the fuel sensor throws a code, I don't remember what the actual code is though). Reset the code and the gauge will start working.
Le Mans Master
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From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
The real bad news is that if your sending unit is acting up you probably WILL be replacing it in the near future. The fuel quality debate notwithstanding, the C5's are notorious for this issue. Mine did it at about 30K. Got better, acted up, got better, acted up, got better, QUIT... I replaced the comlpete sending unit. The bill was about $900 including parts and a lot of labor.
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Does sound like you got some bad gas. Hope the Techron sets things back to normal for your car.
