Techron caused "Check Guages"
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
Techron caused "Check Guages"
Had the fuel level reading issue. Added techron. Fuel level gets close to a quarter of a tank and my fuel guage drops to empty and I get the "check gauges" light on.
Fast forward a few months. I am going on a road trip. I add Techron to save gas, help the fuel lvl read more accurately, and just for Shih Tzu's and giggles. My car gets to a quarter of a tank and the same issue reappears. Only when there is Techron in the tank does this occur.
Anyone got a clue or have a similar issues? I thought Techron was liquid gold to these cars and helped the fuel lvl sensor...
Fast forward a few months. I am going on a road trip. I add Techron to save gas, help the fuel lvl read more accurately, and just for Shih Tzu's and giggles. My car gets to a quarter of a tank and the same issue reappears. Only when there is Techron in the tank does this occur.
Anyone got a clue or have a similar issues? I thought Techron was liquid gold to these cars and helped the fuel lvl sensor...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 2
From: Denver CO
The same thing happened to me but cleared up and hasn't misbehaved since. The key, as stated above, is to add the big bottle just before you fill up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 864
From: So Cal
Techron is proven. But, if a C5 has been running for many years without it, it may take four or five treatments before all problems cease.
When you add it to cars that have run for many years without any apparent problems, the result is that you may start getting some problems for a couple of tank fulls as things start to break loose.
Also, I add it both ways. Every quarter I alternate adding the large Techron bottle to either a 1/4 full tank or a 3/4 full tank.
I've known a large number of petroleum engineers that say fuel with Techron is the only fuel they put in their cars and none of them worked for Chevron or Texaco.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
You might have another problem .
There is a small transfer nozzle between the tanks. If this nozzle becomes obscured enough to effect the flow between the tanks , in some conditions the levels will go far enough outside of the computers understanding so that it defaults the gas gauge to empty.
The tanks are designed to run kind of even, with fuel constantly circulating between the two tanks , pumped from the second tank with an eductor nozzle, something myself and my computer do not know how to spell. ( it has no moving parts, just pumps via suction from the flow of liquid pushed through it. )
Any debris in the nozzle with screw up the flow. A screwed up transfer rate will default the gas gauge if the secondary tank level gets outside of the computer's understanding.
My gas gauge has flipped out three times in about eight thousand miles. When I clean the jet, I will probably find a little spec of foil from the top of a techron bottle slowing the flow.
I wish it could be fixed via a bottle, but then That is a pretty common wish around my place and in country songs. I favor the big bottles, Techron and otherwise.
There is a small transfer nozzle between the tanks. If this nozzle becomes obscured enough to effect the flow between the tanks , in some conditions the levels will go far enough outside of the computers understanding so that it defaults the gas gauge to empty.
The tanks are designed to run kind of even, with fuel constantly circulating between the two tanks , pumped from the second tank with an eductor nozzle, something myself and my computer do not know how to spell. ( it has no moving parts, just pumps via suction from the flow of liquid pushed through it. )
Any debris in the nozzle with screw up the flow. A screwed up transfer rate will default the gas gauge if the secondary tank level gets outside of the computer's understanding.
My gas gauge has flipped out three times in about eight thousand miles. When I clean the jet, I will probably find a little spec of foil from the top of a techron bottle slowing the flow.
I wish it could be fixed via a bottle, but then That is a pretty common wish around my place and in country songs. I favor the big bottles, Techron and otherwise.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 856
From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Had the fuel level reading issue. Added techron. Fuel level gets close to a quarter of a tank and my fuel guage drops to empty and I get the "check gauges" light on.
Fast forward a few months. I am going on a road trip. I add Techron to save gas, help the fuel lvl read more accurately, and just for Shih Tzu's and giggles. My car gets to a quarter of a tank and the same issue reappears. Only when there is Techron in the tank does this occur.
Anyone got a clue or have a similar issues? I thought Techron was liquid gold to these cars and helped the fuel lvl sensor...
Fast forward a few months. I am going on a road trip. I add Techron to save gas, help the fuel lvl read more accurately, and just for Shih Tzu's and giggles. My car gets to a quarter of a tank and the same issue reappears. Only when there is Techron in the tank does this occur.
Anyone got a clue or have a similar issues? I thought Techron was liquid gold to these cars and helped the fuel lvl sensor...
Kevin
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
Thank you for the replies.
I had been using the small bottle and I only used it twice since I was getting issues. But there seems to be sone logic to the idea that its part of the process while the cleaning is taking place. I am currently at a full tank. I will snag a couple of large bottles and add one when I am at a 1/4 tank, then when low on fuel I will add another 1/4 tank and add the second bottle.
If I get the issue again I will check for codes. Last time I was in the middle of a road trip and was in albuqurque, NM. I just cleared everythinv so I could get at least a relative reading on my gas.
As far as flow between the tanks, I dont really know how I would diagnose or troubleshoot such an issue. I am all ears though.
Thanks again
I had been using the small bottle and I only used it twice since I was getting issues. But there seems to be sone logic to the idea that its part of the process while the cleaning is taking place. I am currently at a full tank. I will snag a couple of large bottles and add one when I am at a 1/4 tank, then when low on fuel I will add another 1/4 tank and add the second bottle.
If I get the issue again I will check for codes. Last time I was in the middle of a road trip and was in albuqurque, NM. I just cleared everythinv so I could get at least a relative reading on my gas.
As far as flow between the tanks, I dont really know how I would diagnose or troubleshoot such an issue. I am all ears though.
Thanks again
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 515
Likes: 133
As far as flow between the tanks, I dont really know how I would diagnose or troubleshoot such an issue. I am all ears though.
These are the typical symptoms:
1. Starting from a full tank and driving on the highway, the gauge will go to zero after 150-200 miles or so. This is when the PCM recognizes improper fuel levels between the tanks.
2. If you keep going and run out of gas, it will only take 12 gallons or so.
3. Forget the exact code (P1432?) but it is labeled as RH Fuel Sensor Performance. This could be due to other things, though.
4. Using a voltmeter or Tech II with the engine or fuel pump running and fuel about 1/2, monitor the voltage output of both tank senders. LH should be high and RH low. Low performance due to a partial clog may require engine runnijng at higher power, but it is usually all or nothing.
5. CF has quoted some shop manual procedures involving measurment of the jet pump supply and return flow, but this involves breaking inrto the system, forget if tank entry is required.
These are the typical symptoms:
1. Starting from a full tank and driving on the highway, the gauge will go to zero after 150-200 miles or so. This is when the PCM recognizes improper fuel levels between the tanks.
2. If you keep going and run out of gas, it will only take 12 gallons or so.
3. Forget the exact code (P1432?) but it is labeled as RH Fuel Sensor Performance. This could be due to other things, though.
4. Using a voltmeter or Tech II with the engine or fuel pump running and fuel about 1/2, monitor the voltage output of both tank senders. LH should be high and RH low. Low performance due to a partial clog may require engine runnijng at higher power, but it is usually all or nothing.
5. CF has quoted some shop manual procedures involving measurment of the jet pump supply and return flow, but this involves breaking inrto the system, forget if tank entry is required.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,050
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
...Techron is the "holy grail" of additives alongside of BG 44K...now that's some good stuff also for keeping injectors clean...the Techron concentrate dissolves the sulfur deposits on the fuel cards
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 376
Likes: 21
From: Coos Bay Oregon
The exact same thing happened to me today. I was on a road trip of about 250 in lenght. About a quarter of the way the I got the "Check engine guages" and "Low Fuel" read out. A gas station was handy so I pulled in and filled with a whole 6.1 gallons. I finished the trip and just reset the switch when ever the prompt came up again. Where is the fuel nozzle located? I know it's between the two tanks, but how does one put his finger on it? Do I have to empty the tanks before replacing the nozzle?
Thanks, in advance,
Thanks, in advance,
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: San Benito TEXAS
I kept having the same problems with inaccurate fuel level I got tired of it and had the dealer replace both fuel pumps and sending units since then I love my fuel sending units and trip meters work perfect getting 17 mpg city and 35 hwy now I travel with no issues concerning fuel gauge.lucky my warranty covered all costs on repairs.it was over 2grand parts and labor.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,050
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
I kept having the same problems with inaccurate fuel level I got tired of it and had the dealer replace both fuel pumps and sending units since then I love my fuel sending units and trip meters work perfect getting 17 mpg city and 35 hwy now I travel with no issues concerning fuel gauge.lucky my warranty covered all costs on repairs.it was over 2grand parts and labor.
Last edited by Yello95; Aug 2, 2013 at 10:14 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Jasper Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
I had the same problem '03 z, was using Shell exclusively. Switched to Chevron + 1 small bottle of Techron and only use Chevron. Knock wood; the gage has been working properly ever since.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 515
Likes: 133
The post with the flow measuring procedures is on this site somewhere in a thread dealing with this subject. A search should find it.