I'm sure this has been asked many times before so sorry for the question but I got my 99 coup 3 days ago I stopped and got some Sunoco tonight and with in 15mins my gas gauge fell off like a stone.
I remember reading about this happening my question is, Where can I find the Techron and how often should I use it?
Plus will this make my gauge come back too normal?


Thanks

Keith

 

That's a shame Keith, so close to your happy car day. the Techron can be found in Auto Zone, Advance Auto, probably other parts houses similar to those. And good for you (shows you have been doing your Corvette Forum homework and reading the tech tips.) You can't hurt anything by trying Techron. It may take a couple of doses. If nothing else happens you would be cleaning the fuel system and possibly clean the gauge sender in the process. I myself like Seafoam as it cleans and has fuel stabilizers in it. But people on here praise Techron for bringing your gauge back. Good luck with this, your 1st "Forum fix." BTW congrats and welcome to the Forum.

 

Techron worked for me Now I just use Chevron and Costco gas and haven't had to use the Techron in 2 years.

 

I developed the same problem in my 02 at 55K miles. I poured in the Techron last week- from Kragen. No problem now. Hope it lasts more than a few months.

 

So if I put this in once a month I should be ok ?

 

I didnt have the zero reading problem but the Vert did start to show 3/4 full with a full tank which only slowly crept up to full.

I used 2 bottles of Techron and the problem never reocurred.

 

I'll bet you can use it less frequently that that. Good luck.

 

You can buy Techron at any of the auto parts stores (Pepboys, Murrays, Autozone, etc.) Comes in 12 oz and 20 oz containers.

 

Keith the problem is related to 3 possibilities. I 'll start with the most prevalent and least costly.

1. Deposits on the fuel sending unit sensor

Fix - short term
A good fuel system cleaner. Techron works as does SeaFoam, Valvoline Synpower fuel system cleaner, Berryman's Chemtool B-12 ( cheapest avail at Walmart) or BG 44K ( most espensive http://www.bgprod.com/products/fuelair.html ) It might take dosing the 3 tankfuls. To expedite it use either Chevron or Shell V power or amoco ultimate... they all have latest gerneration detergent packages at higher levels than the industry average

Long term fix switch to a better gasoline www.toptiergas.com

2. It could be a ground problem. there are posts on this topic that show where the problem is and how to fix it. Do an advanced search, include the archives, search under the C5 category for user id Bill Curlee and key works gas gauge ground.

3. A faulty fuel sending unit. This requires the gas tanks to be dropped and the unit(s) replaced. This is the most costly fix and why the other two should be checked first. Again searching the archives should give you a how to.
Good Luck

 

Chevron gas contains Techron, and one other, maybe Texaco, as well. That said, Techron at Costco or Sam's is lower cost. When you use it, do NOT add it after you fill the tank. The car has two tanks and the passenger side empties first (I think) leaving the fuel level sender exposed which leads to deposits/corrosion.

Take the Techron to the station with you when the tanks are near empty. Put the Techron in FIRST then fill the tanks. This makes sure the Techron goes to both tanks. Put in a couple of bottles if you wish. At least an ounce per gallon is better, so if you can find the twenty ounce bottles, use that. I can only find 12 and 16 ounce locally. Another alternative is a product called Sea Foam that is also effective. You can buy it in gallon cans for about $45 at O'Reilly or other auto parts stores. Sea Foam has a number of uses that go beyond the intent of this thread. Do a search in the Tech forum, key word Sea Foam.

Charlie

 

I'd probably go for the twice every oil change routine, that's what I do, and I havent had a hint of gas gauge problems @ 45K miles(knock on carbon fiber hood)

 

You can find it at most auto parts stores and Wal-Mart. I try to put some in my tank about twice a year. No fuel guage problems yet.

 

I don't have any fuel gauge problems, but I am not getting enough fuel delivered at high RPM's - and I just replaced the filter. To rule out anything simple I am currently running two bottles of the techron fuel system cleaner through and then going to change the filter again. it can't hurt anything...

 

I had the same problem with the gas gauge clunking on empty even tho it was full or nearly full.
Here, we have Sinclair, Exxon and Conoco. Period. I tried the Techron and it worked. It did it again a few months later and I poured in another bottle of Techron. I havent had the problem since. Been three years now. I would say, if it aint doing it, dont add it.

 

couldnt have said it better.

 

Correct on the Chevron/Texaco both containing Techron. Same company now (Similar to Exxon/Mobil).
Also correct on the passenger side tank emptying first, although the fuel going to the engine is constantly being fed from the driver's side tank while the passenger side simultaneously transfers it's fuel to the driver's side.
Best I can tell on the corrosion issue so far is a combination of two things: materials GM used in the sending unit and a very wide variety of fuels in use around the country (sometimes called "boutique" fuels and mandated by local laws), some of which may have a higher sulphur content.

HTH,
Robert

 

When I first bought my car I had the same problem. It would work until about the half-way mark then fall off to zero.

I did one bottle of Techron one bottle of fuel line cleaner (the penzoil kind) and it hasn't done that in two years 24,000 miles I've driven it. I always pump from trusted places though like Shell/Mobile/BP. There are no Chevron's/Sunco around me for hundreds of miles.

 

First tank of the month, every month, just cuause I'm nuts that way

Peace
Chip

 

One better cleaner to use is BG 44K. Seems to work better than all the others. I bought mine off the BG 44K website. Hope this might help.>George

 

Read the directions on the bottle.....too frequent is no good. It's either 1,000 or 3,000 miles according to which bottle you buy.Total Fuel System cleaner is the one that's good for 3,000.