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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 08:14 AM
  #1  
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I am having an issue with my fuel sending unit and I was wondering how big of an effect the gas you use have people ACTUALLY seen. I use Sonoco gas with the occational mobil or shell (always 93) but people have been saying the build up is worse with other companies like shell, bp, ect. I have run through 8-10 tanks with techron and still no dice. My question though is have people switched gas stations and seen the change or is it random that people are changing and that was just the last tank they needed to fix the problem? Chevron has been the front runner for type to switch to so far in my research, but are most of these major gas companies really similar?
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 08:51 AM
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8-10 tanks of techron and no results, may be time to replace units....
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 8VETTE7
Have you been using the small bottle of Techron or the 20 oz bottle??
Good question, some people don't realize that our cars need the big bottle and the need to run the tank to almost empty..................
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 12:26 PM
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Yes I realize it may be time to change them, I am waiting on this tank to be empty to make the job easier. I did use the small bottles. :/ Should I put the entire 20 ounce in a full tank? that would be over the recomended amount. I did run it to empty every time. However I am really trying to get some feedback on the stigma surrounding "bad gas"/"good gas" has anyone been a loyal customer to a company like shell then switched to chevron and problem fixed?
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 01:21 PM
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I live in England and even I've seen a few fuel sender problems, normally when I run the tank low.

Its caused by sulfur in the gas causing deposits on the fuel sender. Techron works and trying different fuel barnds helps particularly if you use aone with an additive like Techron in Chevron gas and the additive in Shell V Power.

As the guys say, a slug of concentrated Chevron is the way to go.
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by 8VETTE7
I use what ever brand of gas is least expensive and also add a 20ounce bottle of Techron to the gas tank every time I change the oil (6 - 8K miles). No problems with the guage/sender.

A single bottle of the 12 ounce size is not sufficient. Add a 20 ounce bottle (or 2 - 12 ounce bottles) for 2 or 3 tanks of gas and I'll bet the sender starts working again. Tank should be under 1/2 when you add the Techron. Add the full bottle, then fill the tank.

Good luck replacing the sensor on the FFS fuel system in the later 2003 and 2004 vehicles.
Thanks for your input on the type of gas you use! This has been my theory about gas, that if you are using 93 octane and techron it shouldnt be a huge factor. I am going to do the big bottle a few times and then if that doesnt work I am going to replace it. What are your concerns for replacing the sensor?
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 05:06 PM
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I had the same problem with my 2001 and after 2 tanks of Techron it has fixed the problem, 20 oz bottles and i do use shell stations but use 93. every 2 or 3 months i put a bottle of Techron in just for piece of mind.
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted by c5vette211
I am having an issue with my fuel sending unit and I was wondering how big of an effect the gas you use have people ACTUALLY seen. I use Sonoco gas with the occational mobil or shell (always 93) but people have been saying the build up is worse with other companies like shell, bp, ect. I have run through 8-10 tanks with techron and still no dice. My question though is have people switched gas stations and seen the change or is it random that people are changing and that was just the last tank they needed to fix the problem? Chevron has been the front runner for type to switch to so far in my research, but are most of these major gas companies really similar?
I run nothing but Sunoco in both of my LS1's.. I put Marathon in the Corvette once and immediately had fuel gauge issues, the next tank I went back to Sunoco and all was fine.. never again.
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 04:29 AM
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http://www.toptiergas.com/
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by ipuig
Nice link thanks! if you go to the retailer link at the bottom though, almost every gas station is on that list haha so still the question of is it possible to go to a top teir gas station and have consistant problems(more than one tank), then switch and seen a fix. Sunoco is not on the list and golden flame had good luck. I have heard if you go to a gas staion and the truck is there filling or just left and you are pumping, then you are getting the setiment that is mixing wile he is filling. Maybe a person has had this happen and attributed this bad timing with the station having bad gas.

Last edited by c5vette211; Jan 24, 2012 at 11:30 AM.
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by 8VETTE7
More bunk from the people that want you to buy THEIR product because their not rich enough yet..
haha that was my first thought. GOV propaganda!!! hahaha
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 01:35 PM
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Use only "regular" from the major gas companies. Between my '99 with 365K miles and my '04 with 156K miles, I have had no fuel related problems. In the owner's manual it states that regular gas can be used but top performance will not but achieved. For the amount of miles I have driven the cost savings from using regular gas is big $. Probably will get a lot of flack for this post, but remember that I have driven over a half million miles with this fuel grade and have loved every minute of it.
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by duosy
Use only "regular" from the major gas companies. Between my '99 with 365K miles and my '04 with 156K miles, I have had no fuel related problems. In the owner's manual it states that regular gas can be used but top performance will not but achieved. For the amount of miles I have driven the cost savings from using regular gas is big $. Probably will get a lot of flack for this post, but remember that I have driven over a half million miles with this fuel grade and have loved every minute of it.
Wow, thats the first post I've ever seen from someone who has survived "Regular" gas. Maybe the knock sensor really does work
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by duosy
Use only "regular" from the major gas companies. ..........I have driven over a half million miles with this fuel grade and have loved every minute of it.
ASSUMING .25/GAL savings between reg & prem, using 21 mpg ave X 500K miles:

500K miles divided 21 mpg ave = 23810 gal X .25 = $5952 savings.

You can't afford not to keep driving.....
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