acroy

My issue was sporadic and mild,
A can of Seafoam in the last 1/4 tank of gas cleared it right up

LoneStarFRC

I agree that Shell is one of the better brands to use, but it does NOT contain Techron. Techron is a proprietary product owned by Chevron/Texaco. Both Chevron and Texaco contain Techron at the pump.

Shell probably does have it's own fuel additive version (and it's one of my favorite fuel choices, btw), just not Techron.

algZO6

44K is a great additive. give it a shot.

JR-01

Yes it does. Techron is just Chevron's brand name for Poly Ether Amine (PEA). Shell V-power gas contains the most polyetheramine of any gas. The patent on Techron expired a long time ago and many brands use the PEA detergent. It is even in other gas additives such as Gumout.

LoneStarFRC

If Shell is in fact using "Techron", they are paying Chevron/Texaco a royalty to do so. Shell may have an equivalent product, but it's not Techron. Same for Gumout, Berryman, BG44K, or Seafoam, etc.

JR-01

Like I said, Techron is just Chevron's brand name for Poly Ether Amine (PEA). They developed the detergent and now many brands use it including Shell V-Power.
PEA is PEA. I don't know if they pay a royalty or not.
The information is online if you want to do the research. I did it a while back.

gimp

http://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussi...o-much-249879/

http://forum.miata.net/vb/archive/in.../t-252072.html

It would appear that yes, techron affects your oil to some small degree. Using a bunch of techron concentrate means you should change your oil earlier than you usually would. Not that using techron is bad, just that you shouldn't run ten bottles through ten tanks and then drive the usual interval on that oil, you know? Since many here change oil every 3k even though the DIC would let you change it more like every 7k, it seems like a good thing to mention.

zeevette

NO need to add the bottled Techron. Just use nothing but Chevron gas and you'll have no more problems. My Z did it after the car was about two years old, and I read on the forum to use Chevron gas. No problems in over 10 years.

JR-01

Not sold in these parts either.(Wisconsin). That's why I researched the local brands and use Shell exclusively.

LoneStarFRC

Techron is a registered trademark of Chevron/Texaco, not Shell. PEA forms the basic (and original) component, but Chevron has made some improvements and/or changes over the years to their original formula. The current version is not the one Chevron started with.
I like Shell products, but it's not Techron they're using.

JR-01

Shell gas also has PEA, the same detergent in Chevron gas. among other things. I do not know which gas is better, but Shell does use one of the same detergents (PEA) as Chevron. Doesn't matter to me, Chevron gas is not sold here.

jeff42899

Thanks all. That's very interesting info on the oil change. I'm definitely using a lot of this stuff.

Rob 02

Let us know if there is progress. It will be helpful to others who read this.

Jeff T.

How about a tank of Techron and a bottle of gas!!

Hope you find a simple solution!

jeff42899

I'll certainly update this thread with any results or if I give up. I'll keep track of how many tanks of fuel as well. Should be interesting.

zeevette

No, I didn't. I thought Chevron was nationwide. Should have guessed, because we never had Sunaco or Sinclair (not to mention White Castle) here. We also are limited to 92 octane in WA., and all the gas is %10 ethanol. We do get Mexican gas, which I've never used.

LoneStarFRC

In keeping with the comments about regional availability (or not), anyone considering a road trip or lengthy journey to other regions of the country would do well to remember that TEXACO gas also contains Techron, as Texaco and Chevron are the same company now, for several years. IOW, if your trip takes to you areas where it's available, don't get so focused only on Chevron, and ignore Texaco.

The "Techron" label/logo is on every Texaco gas pump on the lower right corner, as it contains the same level as Chevron.



They even have a Chev/Tex credit card with the Techron logo

jeff42899

Well, after a few more tanks of Shell with Techron at each fillup, there's been very little change. I let it sit for a week twice after filling up and the only change is that when I start it, the fuel gage goes to half, then slowly drops to empty over about 10 seconds. I've just put it away for the winter with more techron and stabilizer. I guess I'll see what it does in the spring and likely have it fixed. All told, I would say its been about 10 tanks of fuel with Techron. Anyone know what a rough cost on the repair is? It doesn't look like something I can tackle in the garage on ramps.

zachaeous

I will try to give you an answer. I purchased a 2001 Coupe in May of 2014. It started out with the fuel gauge dropping to empty with warning lights.

I used techtron for 6 months and no joy. I then looked into costs and ways to do the repair.

I decided to give this job a try by just cleaning the present sending units.
the 1997s thru some point in mid 2003 production has the access to the units on the bottom of the tanks.

I removed both units from the car and cleaned the surface of the rheostats with lacquer thinner using a soft brush. I reinstalled both pump units and my gas gauge problem was history.

The hardest part of the job was dealing with the fuel that is left when the car is ran down as far as it will pump down.

I also had the pcm reflashed later at the dealership with a bulletin about the fuel gauge problem. This cost $25.00 The fuel gauge worked just fine and continues to do to this day.

The cost was my labor and a $12.00 gallon of lacquer thinner.

I did this in my garage on jack stands.

New gauge units were priced at around $1000.00 for both units from the dealer plus labor. You can purchase a new sending unit only for the left side from AC Delco for about $100.00.

Good luck with your repair.

Crosis

Wow I havent seen a Texaco in years. They disappeared in Central Florida