Fuel system cleaner
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 27
From: Green Garden Illinois
Fuel system cleaner
Reading some of the indication issues, is there such a specific fuel system cleaner/process that is recommended?
Have a ‘15 Z51 with 4,800 miles and if possible prevent any issues.
Thanks
Have a ‘15 Z51 with 4,800 miles and if possible prevent any issues.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,226
Likes: 497
From: NJ
Techron, one 12 Oz. bottle, every 2000 mi. with a fuel fill up. Also I believe "Chevron" fuel has Techron blended in it. Not sure if you have that gas station near you. If not, always use a top tier fuel, especially with Direct injected engines. The detergent additives help clean the injectors.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,700
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
GM has a "Fuel Treatment Plus" or something like that. At one time it was apparently just Techron, the plastic bottle had a molded-in log on the bottom from Chevron.
The current GM stuff now has a bottle with no Chevron markings so it may still be Techron or something else.
The current GM stuff now has a bottle with no Chevron markings so it may still be Techron or something else.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,700
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I add a bottle of the GM treatment once every Spring (5k-15k miles per year) with no regard to when the next oil change will be, I get an oil analysis at each change and the Techron seems to have no negative effect on the analysis results.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 1,425
From: New Jersey
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '25
Techron and Sunoco Ultra94 fits my needs just fine!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 1,026
From: North Texas
Every time you use Techron a little of the cleaner can work is way past the rings and into the oil. Using it too often can dilute the oil. Kind of like the issue Honda has on their 1.5L turbo, oil dilution from fuel getting past the rings and into the oil.
I believe the optimum time to use Techron would be on the last tankful of gas, after it's about empty then change the oil.
Of course, if you're having problems, such as a fuel level sending unit, then I'd use it anytime as much as needed until the issue is cleared up then change the oil. long term storage is also acceptable. (can't get into the oil, its all in the tank(.
I just would not leave a high percentage of Techron in the oil any longer than needed. ie: adding a bottle every month.
I believe the optimum time to use Techron would be on the last tankful of gas, after it's about empty then change the oil.
Of course, if you're having problems, such as a fuel level sending unit, then I'd use it anytime as much as needed until the issue is cleared up then change the oil. long term storage is also acceptable. (can't get into the oil, its all in the tank(.
I just would not leave a high percentage of Techron in the oil any longer than needed. ie: adding a bottle every month.
Last edited by Tinkertech; Mar 20, 2026 at 08:23 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 615
From: Blacksburg Va
Tinkertech for the win. I worked for BMW North America in the early 80s when all cars were having trouble w/ carbon buildup on the intake valves. BMW did a bunch of Techron testing by having their service and sales reps use it in their company cars. Each rep was assigned a schedule of how often to use the Techron. I sure don't remember any #s from then but I definitely remember that they blew up several engines. The cause was diluted engine oil. Think about a chemical that can clean off baked on carbon and ask yourself what it would do the engine bearings etc. As Tinkertech says, I would use it as recommended on the bottle and then change the oil.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 657
That Honda 1.5L turbo is not a good engine design. Blown head gaskets are another issue due to the cheap small cylinder head bolts used by Honda and the crappy head gaskets. Add a turbo that increases cylinder pressure = blown head gasket.
If used as directed, the Techron fuel system cleaner will not harm anything. When overly used, yes, it can cause issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,700
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
^^^^^
Continuing off topic:
My wife's 2020 Honda CRV has the oil dilution problem, I saw it on the first oil change/analysis. The local Honda dealer said there was nothing they could do to reduce the problem, but I would be ok using 0W-30 oil instead of the specified 0W-20. Analysis shows our Mobil-1 0W-30 when drained has a viscosity at the upper end of the 0W-20 range. I found some info indicating that the same engine in England is recommended to use 0W-30 or 5W-30 (can't remember which), so that suggests it's all about meeting the US CAFE fuel economy standards and don't worry about the engine if it lasts through the warranty period.
Continuing off topic:
My wife's 2020 Honda CRV has the oil dilution problem, I saw it on the first oil change/analysis. The local Honda dealer said there was nothing they could do to reduce the problem, but I would be ok using 0W-30 oil instead of the specified 0W-20. Analysis shows our Mobil-1 0W-30 when drained has a viscosity at the upper end of the 0W-20 range. I found some info indicating that the same engine in England is recommended to use 0W-30 or 5W-30 (can't remember which), so that suggests it's all about meeting the US CAFE fuel economy standards and don't worry about the engine if it lasts through the warranty period.