Does Techron really work
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
From: Bel Air Md
Does Techron really work
I'm new to the C5's and read some threads about the gauge problem with C5's. So far, the 99 with 47K miles I just purchased seems OK. Should I treat the car to Techron,is so, where do you purchase it. Parts store like NAPA ? Thanks for any help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 91
From: Indiana
I always use gas with Techron in it. I have also bought a bottle of it and my guauge still screws up. I did actually buy 2 more bottles of it today at walmart, which was a little cheaper than Advance. I added a bottle today and Im letting the car sit with about a half tank of gas. When I top off in a couple of days I will add another bottle. Fingers Crossed!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,787
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I get mine at stores like Advanced Auto or Autozone. It seems to get the sulfer content off from the fuel sending unit. Have had the fuel gauges on my 03 Z and 03 Tahoe start acting weird and the Techron got them working again. It only takes one fill up of high sulfer gas to kill the sending unit in most cars nowadays. It seems like there are random occurrences of high sulfer gas escaping from refineries and causing a lot of fuel gauge problems in the area the refinery supports. Saw this happen in Northwestern PA a couple of years ago. There were hundreds of cars that had problems.
Bill
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
Yes, it definitely seems to work!
I run Chevron 93 in my '00 about 80% of the time, using a little Shell or other good brand occasionally. I have had a couple of occurrances with the fuel guage. The first time, I added a bottle of the Techron ProGuard (bought in a 6-pack at Costo) and the guage was fine for awhile, then acted up again. Another dose of Proguard fixed it for a year or more.
Two weeks ago it really acted up, so I went all out and bought the top-shelf $7 Techron-Plus. Added it to 12 gallons, and the problem instantly went away, and has not returned thus far.
I did a little internet research:
Seems perhaps the cheaper Proguard is a diluted mix, designed mostly for "prevention" of clogged injectors; and the Techron-Plus is the full-strength stuff.
Also, here on the forum, one of the guys posted a bulletin from GM where thry now have their own "Fuel-Conditioner-Plus" that they recommend for keeping guage senders and fuel system components clean of sulphur deposits. Hmmm, rebottled Techron?
My take on this is, I will now add a bottle of Techron Plus at each oil change. I'll use the lesser Proguard on my "lesser" cars.
DG
I run Chevron 93 in my '00 about 80% of the time, using a little Shell or other good brand occasionally. I have had a couple of occurrances with the fuel guage. The first time, I added a bottle of the Techron ProGuard (bought in a 6-pack at Costo) and the guage was fine for awhile, then acted up again. Another dose of Proguard fixed it for a year or more.
Two weeks ago it really acted up, so I went all out and bought the top-shelf $7 Techron-Plus. Added it to 12 gallons, and the problem instantly went away, and has not returned thus far.
I did a little internet research:
Seems perhaps the cheaper Proguard is a diluted mix, designed mostly for "prevention" of clogged injectors; and the Techron-Plus is the full-strength stuff.
Also, here on the forum, one of the guys posted a bulletin from GM where thry now have their own "Fuel-Conditioner-Plus" that they recommend for keeping guage senders and fuel system components clean of sulphur deposits. Hmmm, rebottled Techron?
My take on this is, I will now add a bottle of Techron Plus at each oil change. I'll use the lesser Proguard on my "lesser" cars.
DG
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio TX
the answer is yes. bought the car 4 years ago and filled up with gas from a shell in dallas, on the drive home it started acting up. researched the issue then went to a station with techron in its gas, Chevron and have never had a problem since. (for me it only took adding fuel that had Techron in it)
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Chevron gasoline already has techron in it.. It works and you need to use it on a regular basis. I use it every other month.. It is on sale for 5.99 a bottle at autozone.. You have 2 fuel sending units,, one inside gas each tank.. they get sulfer deposits on them, which causes them to get false readings... Look at it as preventive maintanence.. Or you can just do nothing and wait until they are so gummed up with sulfer that Techron won't even work,, Then you can go to the dealership and let them replace 2 sending units for $800.. Not using Techron is like not changing your oil... How far can you go on 1 oil change without ruining your engine? 10k,20k,30k,40k,50k??
Last edited by David426; Nov 24, 2008 at 07:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
From: Bel Air Md
Ok, you convinced me to get a bottle for the car. Do you think it works better to add Techron and let the car sit, or just drive it. It's that time of year when snow is possible. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
Bought my car and had sender problems. Read all about Techron here. So I tried it. My problem is resolved. It prolly doesn't matter if the car sits or moves the stuff works. I could argue points on both methods.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola Florida
fuel guage
I know you guys are going to laugh but I have had my c5 for two years and I put zmax in the tank on everyother fillup. We use it at the dealership I work at so I get it there and so far have not had any problems. But like everyone else I buy my gas at the same place most every time .
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I had the sender problem start in my car and immediately bought some Techron. Problem solved. I now put a bottle periodically since we have no Chevron stations in my area. If I'm traveling and see a Chevron station, I'll fill up just to get a Techron fix. I also buy it at Walmart or Advance. Have not had any more ocurrences with the gage.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio TX
More Than Zero
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Jump on the Techron band wagon
Good stuff Maynard! Besides using it on a regular basis with all my vehicles, I add Techron and Stabil to the fuel tanks of all the vehicles in winter storage. Cheap insurance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
