Fuel Additives? Techron?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
2004 has a funky fuel system and a known problem on these is innacurate gauges. Use top tier fuel - (I run Shell) and run some techron through it occasionally. Do a little searching on c5 fuel gauge issues - you'll find plenty of reading.
You do not want to have to pay to have this system worked on - it's an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure scenario.
You do not want to have to pay to have this system worked on - it's an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure scenario.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
Likes: 279
From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
The techron is very good to use. Shell & Chevron also use the techron in their fuel. I use Costco fuel all the time in the vette, They use their own additives at the pump. Not a single problem since. Good chance it is the techron. Before Costco began using the additive i would also use what they sold in their stores. Its not the same as the concentrate but is affective. Quit a few years since any problems with the fuel gage.
To the OP, thanks for starting this most timely (for me) thread.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
Interesting, I have used nothing but Costco gas in my Corvette since buying it last month; and yesterday, for the first time, my fuel gage started acting up. I was about to blame the Costco gas. I've bought 2 bottles of Techron, poured one in the tank today and saved the other for my next fill up. Fingers crossed!
To the OP, thanks for starting this most timely (for me) thread.
To the OP, thanks for starting this most timely (for me) thread.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,057
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
..and I think both have Techron in them...also I use Walmart gas sometimes...saw a tanker filling up and asked him about the gas and he would not give me a direct answer but showed me his invoice with the brand gas they use...EXXON....
Last edited by Yello95; Feb 19, 2018 at 03:47 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 273
Likes: 39
From: SC
Yes!
Techron "Complete Fuel System Cleaner" 10 oz bottle does 10 gallons, do 2 bottles twice a year (as VETTEMAN said). I've been doing this 15+ years....cleared my fuel tank gauge faulty readings I was getting after 3 years after I bought it, 2K Vert. Don't know if 2004's have the same issue...I always run premium gas too.
You can get the 10 oz bottle above at Walmart for $2.20 in SC. Just picked up 6 to cover my 3 vehicles. It's $7-14 at the Auto parts stores...there are bigger bottles of the stuff, 12 and 20 oz will do 20 gallons but don't see them it at Walmart.
Techron "Complete Fuel System Cleaner" 10 oz bottle does 10 gallons, do 2 bottles twice a year (as VETTEMAN said). I've been doing this 15+ years....cleared my fuel tank gauge faulty readings I was getting after 3 years after I bought it, 2K Vert. Don't know if 2004's have the same issue...I always run premium gas too.
You can get the 10 oz bottle above at Walmart for $2.20 in SC. Just picked up 6 to cover my 3 vehicles. It's $7-14 at the Auto parts stores...there are bigger bottles of the stuff, 12 and 20 oz will do 20 gallons but don't see them it at Walmart.
Last edited by mikeam; Feb 19, 2018 at 08:48 PM. Reason: update
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Yes!
Techron "Complete Fuel System Cleaner" 10 oz bottle does 10 gallons, do 2 bottles twice a year (as VETTEMAN said). I've been doing this 15+ years....cleared my fuel tank gauge faulty readings I was getting after 3 years after I bought it, 2K Vert. Don't know if 2004's have the same issue...I always run premium gas too.
You can get the 10 oz bottle above at Walmart for $2.20 in SC. Just picked up 6 to cover my 3 vehicles. It's $7-14 at the Auto parts stores...there are bigger bottles of the stuff, 12 and 20 oz will do 20 gallons but don't see them it at Walmart.
Techron "Complete Fuel System Cleaner" 10 oz bottle does 10 gallons, do 2 bottles twice a year (as VETTEMAN said). I've been doing this 15+ years....cleared my fuel tank gauge faulty readings I was getting after 3 years after I bought it, 2K Vert. Don't know if 2004's have the same issue...I always run premium gas too.
You can get the 10 oz bottle above at Walmart for $2.20 in SC. Just picked up 6 to cover my 3 vehicles. It's $7-14 at the Auto parts stores...there are bigger bottles of the stuff, 12 and 20 oz will do 20 gallons but don't see them it at Walmart.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
Likes: 279
From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
Follow Up
Since you just bought the car who knows what the other owner was using. Sounds like it might need to be cleaned. Check with Costco to see if they add the additive at the pump. They should know. You can also use the Techron they sell in the store. It’s not the concentrate but still can be effective. The concentrate will be stronger to clean first. When I had a problem I would use the concentrate and fill the tank and take a nice drive to run most of that tank to help clean.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 167
From: sylvania ohio
after reading this i bought 4-12 ounce bottles [ $18 ]. put one in wifes daily driver along with a partial tank of ''sunoco'' the other day . i'll put one in sons car next fill up and the other two in the vettes next fall . did both vettes two years ago . not aware of any problems with fuel gauges in them . thanks for the info on techron . . peace
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
theres a line of thought that says to alternate name brand gasolines so the different additives in each clean the broadest spectrum possible.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,057
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 487
Likes: 113
From: Troy TX
I was having fuel gauge problems and on the recommendation of this forum, I added Techtron to my fuel tank when I was at about 1/4 tank, cleared up issues almost immediately. So now I do it about every 4th tank. No more problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
Been using it for years.. IT cleared up my personal issues too...
I run it in all of my cars and customer's cars too.
FYI- there is a new version out in a GREY Bottle.. It is NOT the concentrate
that is in the BLACK bottle. IT says to use really often..
I only buy the Concentrate
I run it in all of my cars and customer's cars too.
FYI- there is a new version out in a GREY Bottle.. It is NOT the concentrate
that is in the BLACK bottle. IT says to use really often..
I only buy the Concentrate
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i like techron and use it and have nothing bad to say about it. i really like the BG power enhancer for a once a year treatment in all my cars
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
At least twice a year I use Techron because it is magic stuff. When I put my vert in storage for a few months I fill it with ethanol free marine gas and a 20 oz bottle of Techron. Previously had the fuel gauge problem, Techron fixed it in 10 minutes.