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Doubt if the Techron was the cause.....I use a bottle of that stuff every 3K miles ...no issues. But more than that....at Carlisle this past summer , I attended a a "clinic" presentation by the "Corvette Mechanic " guy who 100% recommends the use of Techron to maintain the health of the fuel pump mechanism in the C5 & C6.
Did the "Corvette Mechanic " guy mention how often it should be used?
Does anyone ever add a little Marvel Mystery Oil to the fuel? I've been doing it periodically for several years to all 4 of our cars after reading about doing so on Bob is the Oil Guy forum. No ill effects. It ALLEGEDLY helps lube the fuel pump and injector pintles.
Also use Techron or Gumout Regane Complete Fuel System Cleaner periodically.
Does anyone ever add a little Marvel Mystery Oil to the fuel? I've been doing it periodically for several years to all 4 of our cars after reading about doing so on Bob is the Oil Guy forum. No ill effects. It ALLEGEDLY helps lube the fuel pump and injector pintles.
Also use Techron or Gumout Regane Complete Fuel System Cleaner periodically.
That goes way back. Remember that from my younger days in the sixties people also added it to the oil. I add some Lucas injector cleaner/lube every few months.
Last edited by BROCKYJACK; Jan 13, 2016 at 10:51 AM.
That goes way back. Remember that from my younger days in the sixties people also added it to the oil. I add some Lucas injector cleaner/lube every few months.
its the service fuel system error that you received that is tripping the engine light. I get the same message on mine, as the fuel sensor sometimes wants to work and sometimes doesn't, and i have the engine light one mine. Once i add a full tank of gas I'm going to add the techron to see if it clears it up and the sensor works all the time.
I'm not sure topping off has anything to do with the fuel system problems. But it does make a mess and thats good enough reason for me not to do it.
I also hold the pump handle in and run the auto fill on slow. Out here we have some stations that have the spring loaded vacuum nozzles designed to evacuate fumes while refilling. I was standing next to the car waiting for it to fill, as the pump auto -shutoff triggered, the pump flipped out of the filler tube and splashed my clothes with fuel. Since I was on my way to work and no way to wash clothes, I had to stop and buy a new pair of slacks.
If I fill my take (stopping when the hose shuts off), drive a short distance, stop the car, add Techron, and later restart the car I will get a CEL. I will also get the CEL if I did NOT add anything when the car was stopped. Its not the Techron.
When I fill up and start driving I will get all the messages (Service Fuel System and Low Fuel) and the gas gauge will go crazy. If I continue to drive without shutting the engine down after about 15-20 miles everything will be back to normal, never getting the CEL.
However if I shut the motor down before the systems return to normal, then when I restart I will get the CEL. The CEL will clear itself after I have drive 15-20 miles AND THEN started the car and drove (5 minutes is enough) and shut it down 2 to 3 times.
I've tried Techron a few times with no luck. I'll next try a more aggressive cleaner or a higher mix of Techron.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Originally Posted by GOLD72
If the CEL isn't reset by a scan tool, then in my experience it takes about 12 engine start cycles for the CEL to go out assuming the fault cleared in the first place. Take the car to an AutoZone and let them pull the fault codes for you. If not the gas fill cap, it might be the emissions vent solenoid that has failed. It is ~$25 part accessed underneath the car inside the rear drive tunnel wall. Had to replace mine on the 07 vert a couple of years ago. Its failure will set a CEL.
I went through 4 gas caps before I changed the vent solenoid, and immediately solved my problem. I also agree the Techron is NOT the problem - I add a bottle of the GOOD Techron at every lube oil change.
its the service fuel system error that you received that is tripping the engine light. I get the same message on mine, as the fuel sensor sometimes wants to work and sometimes doesn't, and i have the engine light one mine. Once i add a full tank of gas I'm going to add the techron to see if it clears it up and the sensor works all the time.
I would agree. Ive had this issue a few times and there is a delay between the point in time yhat the DIC gives you the "service fuel system " warning, and the eventual check engine light illuminating. It takes one or more engine stop/start cycles before the CEL comes on, and then once the techron does its thing it takes one or more engine stop/start cycles before the computer diagnostics will tirn the CEL off.
Then you haven't replaced the cap yet??? ..These caps can go bad at any time, and not show any outward signs that it's bad...I just bought a new cap on ebay 3 weeks ago "$16.00 including shipping", put it on, and my problem with the "Service fuel System" light went away after starting the car 7 or 8 times...If you haven't replaced the cap, do it now..9 times out of 10, when you see that message on your dash , it's because of a bad gas cap.....WW
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Marvel Mystery Oil! I used that stuff when I rebuilt my Ford 302 SB. A mechanic friend recommended it as an additive during break-in. Bathed the cam in the stuff prior to insertion and poured it over the lifters. I actually found the partly used bottle (can?) in the garage the other day and dumped it into the Mustang's crank case. So far, so good. I believe it can also be used on cold sores.
Last edited by RagTop69; Feb 27, 2016 at 02:11 PM.
I went through 4 gas caps before I changed the vent solenoid, and immediately solved my problem. I also agree the Techron is NOT the problem - I add a bottle of the GOOD Techron at every lube oil change.
Could you please elaborate on your comment? What is a vent solenoid, what does it do, where is it located, and how is it replaced?
Can you also confirm that the issue it solved for you was DIC messages 'SERVICE FUEL SYSTEM' and or 'LOW FUEL' immediately after a fill up.
If the CEL isn't reset by a scan tool, then in my experience it takes about 12 engine start cycles for the CEL to go out assuming the fault cleared in the first place. Take the car to an AutoZone and let them pull the fault codes for you. If not the gas fill cap, it might be the emissions vent solenoid that has failed. It is ~$25 part accessed underneath the car inside the rear drive tunnel wall. Had to replace mine on the 07 vert a couple of years ago. Its failure will set a CEL.
..These caps can go bad at any time, and not show any outward signs that it's bad...I just bought a new cap on ebay 3 weeks ago "$16.00 including shipping", put it on, and my problem with the "Service fuel System" light went away after starting the car 7 or 8 times...If you haven't replaced the cap, do it now..9 times out of 10, when you see that message on your dash , it's because of a bad gas cap.....WW
