Gas Gauge vs. Techron!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 2
From: Denville NJ
Gas Gauge vs. Techron!
Damm! At 53k, my gas gauge has started acting up! I have used Techron for the last 25k that I owned my '04.
Will a more concentrated dose help long term, or is this the kind of problem that just gets worse (like the air pump check valves).
I do have the extended warranty, would this be covered? Even so, I do not like going back to the dealer for anything if I can help it. Commets please. Thanks....
Will a more concentrated dose help long term, or is this the kind of problem that just gets worse (like the air pump check valves).
I do have the extended warranty, would this be covered? Even so, I do not like going back to the dealer for anything if I can help it. Commets please. Thanks....
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Not sure how often you use Techron, I add it about every 3000 miles and my vette's fuel gauge is still working well. I have about 56K miles now. My gauge was not working at 34K miles and it took three bottles, one after another, and it didn't start working again until the 3rd bottle. Hope you get yours working...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
The techron concentrate is what has been known to actually "cure" the issue. I'm sure running chevron gas helps but try a bottle of the concentrate and give it a tank or two to work it's way around
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
Too Much?
Any reported problems with running too much Techron Concentrate? As I said, I've added at least four bottles, maybe five. Usually when the fuel is low and the gauge has stopped working, but at least one bottle when full.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
Putting it when the tank is low may be your problem as the fuel level is low enough that the contact surface is not covered and so the techron never reaches it. Put it in first,then fill your tanks so it reaches both tanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Techron has worked for years for me. BUT, now it's not doing the trick anymore and neither is SeaFoam. At 3/8 of tank she goes to empty every time. Anybody know who sells just the sending units? I don't want to have to buy the whole pump at five bills a side.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 1,818
Damm! At 53k, my gas gauge has started acting up! I have used Techron for the last 25k that I owned my '04.
Will a more concentrated dose help long term, or is this the kind of problem that just gets worse (like the air pump check valves).
I do have the extended warranty, would this be covered? Even so, I do not like going back to the dealer for anything if I can help it. Commets please. Thanks....
Will a more concentrated dose help long term, or is this the kind of problem that just gets worse (like the air pump check valves).
I do have the extended warranty, would this be covered? Even so, I do not like going back to the dealer for anything if I can help it. Commets please. Thanks....
Are you using one 12 Oz. bottle, two 12 Oz. bottles, or one 20 Oz. bottle? I personally don't think that one 12 Oz bottle is suffucient. I also use a somewhat convoluted technique for adding it to my tank. I put half the Techron in before I start pumping and the other half in when I "guess" that the first tank is full (9 gallons in each tank). I may be crazy but I want the Techron more or less equally in each tank. Once the first tank is full, any gas you pump from then until the shutoff kicks in is primarily going through the cross over tube to the passenger side tank. I think pouring all the techron into the partially empty driver side tank delivers a stronger concentration to that tank and much less to the passenger side. JMHO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
Damm! At 53k, my gas gauge has started acting up! I have used Techron for the last 25k that I owned my '04.
Will a more concentrated dose help long term, or is this the kind of problem that just gets worse (like the air pump check valves).
I do have the extended warranty, would this be covered? Even so, I do not like going back to the dealer for anything if I can help it. Commets please. Thanks....
Will a more concentrated dose help long term, or is this the kind of problem that just gets worse (like the air pump check valves).
I do have the extended warranty, would this be covered? Even so, I do not like going back to the dealer for anything if I can help it. Commets please. Thanks....
believe me!!!!!!!!!!!
use the warranty and after that techron every third tank of gas
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,421
Likes: 1,146
From: Dyer, IN
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 354
Likes: 5
From: Winter Springs, Fl
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 2
From: Denville NJ
Hi Everyone, and thanks for the comments. I will watch this and save the codes. Since there are general problems related to gas tank leaks, fuel filters in the tank, etc., I am inclined to drag baby to the dealership soon. They love it when you have your warranty, and actually look for more things to fix.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Get sensor(s) in one or both tanks replaced and use Techron and or Seafoam
Replacing a sensor worked for about a year and a half then had the old guage to zero while driving. Use Techron and sometimes Seafoam (but not at the same time) right in the tank. Do this with a FULL TANK so the solvent can get on the sensors. PITA but it stil comes back when it feels like it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
I used to get the empty gauge all the time. I would just go into the codes on the DIC and clear them and the gauge will start working again. Takes about 5 seconds once you get the hang of it.
I added Techron and that seemed to help but for me it was a big pita to add Techron... I religiously used only one brand of fuel hoping I would find a cure. No Chevron in Kansas City so had to try something else. After two years of trying different fuels I've been using Shell for about 3 years now and no gauge issues. I'm not saying everyone should use Shell, just try one brand at a time in your area and see if you find one that keeps the fuel gauge happy.
I added Techron and that seemed to help but for me it was a big pita to add Techron... I religiously used only one brand of fuel hoping I would find a cure. No Chevron in Kansas City so had to try something else. After two years of trying different fuels I've been using Shell for about 3 years now and no gauge issues. I'm not saying everyone should use Shell, just try one brand at a time in your area and see if you find one that keeps the fuel gauge happy.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
erase codes
I had to run out to the garage and try this one. It worked! Erasing the one and only code I had made the gauge start working again, but will it just go back to empty when I drive? (Too late to drive now....)
AL
AL
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
That being said, you can clear the DTC while driving (careful, don't hit anyone!) and your gauge starts working again. I've gotten to the point where my hand has memorized the DTC clear pattern and I can do it without my eyes leaving the road.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
Cool
That's a good enough solution for now, until I can replace the sender or get enough "chemical cure for a mechanical problem" in her! Thanks!
I still need to know which tank sender is the culprit, or do you change them both?
AL
I still need to know which tank sender is the culprit, or do you change them both?
AL
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
How do you tell which side to work on? Most people say the passenger side but why is that?
And can you take the sender out, clean it and put it back or does it need to be replaced? (The $500 question!)