Techron Caveat
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 34
From: Lincoln Nebraska
A few years ago my C5's gas gauge started acting funny-not registering correctly. I heard on the forum that it may have been caused by sulfur deposits on the float; I started using Techron at my fill ups and the problem went away in a few weeks. I then used it a couple of times a year and never had the problem again. I kept the car for about 5 years after that.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 143
Likes: 12
From: Beaumont, Southeast Texas
Along the Gulf Coast refiners put gasoline into the pipeline system for distribution along the South and East coasts. Quite often you don’t know who made the gasoline you’re putting in your car. Some distributors put in additive packages at the distribution terminals, most do not. Chevron blends Techron into their premium gasoline. Some other brands purchase Techron for use in their gasoline’s. It is a good safe detergent. As you already know they market variations of Techron such as fuel system cleaner or injector cleaner. It is a thoroughly tested product. I used to blend gasoline for a major refiner and it was not Chevron.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 137
A friend who worked for Gas Card said the “additive package” for Top Tier gas, by any manufacturer, is a commercial concentrate of 1 quart of additive for a 9000 gallon truck, at the refinery in West Texas. There’s supposed to be 129 refineries in the US with different distribution methods. Sooner or later it all goes into a tanker of some size.
He also said. as far as octane goes. Octane is lowered 1 point for every 1000 feet above sea level. That’s why you can’t buy 93 octane at higher altitudes.
He also said. as far as octane goes. Octane is lowered 1 point for every 1000 feet above sea level. That’s why you can’t buy 93 octane at higher altitudes.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,913
Likes: 1,957
From: Colo Spgs, CO
A few years ago my C5's gas gauge started acting funny-not registering correctly. I heard on the forum that it may have been caused by sulfur deposits on the float; I started using Techron at my fill ups and the problem went away in a few weeks. I then used it a couple of times a year and never had the problem again. I kept the car for about 5 years after that.
I can't argue that octane requirements decrease with elevation and that it's almost impossible to find octane higher than 91 in high-elevation locations. With all due respect to your friend, I'm not sure about his formula... I live at ~7K ft and do most of my driving between 5K and 9K ft. Using your his formula, I should be OK with something like 84-86 octane, which is pure craziness.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 137
Do you store your cars thru the winter months? If so, this may be relevant.
I can't argue that octane requirements decrease with elevation and that it's almost impossible to find octane higher than 91 in high-elevation locations. With all due respect to your friend, I'm not sure about his formula... I live at ~7K ft and do most of my driving between 5K and 9K ft. Using your his formula, I should be OK with something like 84-86 octane, which is pure craziness.
I can't argue that octane requirements decrease with elevation and that it's almost impossible to find octane higher than 91 in high-elevation locations. With all due respect to your friend, I'm not sure about his formula... I live at ~7K ft and do most of my driving between 5K and 9K ft. Using your his formula, I should be OK with something like 84-86 octane, which is pure craziness.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 850
From: New Jersey
Ever ask why they put out a product with no tests done at a laboratory using generally acceptable testing methods? How did they know it works if they did not test it? If they did, why did they not publish it so we can see the methodology? My guess is you sell it cheap enough that you can lower the expectations and the buyers feel happy if something positive happens and if not, they do not expect much since they didn't lose much.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 616
From: Blacksburg Va
Excessive Techron can ruin an engine. I worked for BMW North America in early 80s. They were having huge problems w/ carbon buildup on the intake valves causing engine running problems. It was bad enough that BMW put together a tool kit for dealers so the intake could be removed and the intake blasted w/ walnut shell particles. Techron would keep them clean. So most of their sales and service/parts reps through out the US started using Techron in their company cars. The BMW engineers set up a schedule for each rep describing how often they should use it in their car. They needed a scientific test ASAP so they could recommend a schedule to BMW owners. The higher usage guys blew up several engines. The Techron gets into the oil from normal piston ring blowby and dilutes the oil. The engineers tore down quite a few engines that had not blown up but had used Techron in higher doses. The wear on engine bearings was in direct proportion to the dosage of Techron.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Using this logic, I pay taxes, what is a couple more different taxes? I avoid buying products that claim to do something without verification as much as possible.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,143
Likes: 4,618
Using this logic ^^^ how do you know it (Techron) doesn’t aid the fuel system and engine in some way/s.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
