Anyone here use/believe in using Techron (more specifically Techron Concentrate Plus) in any vehicles? Thanks.
It is just the concentrated detergent used in gasoline. "Techron" is Chevron's marketing term just like "Nitrogen" for Shell. The detergent is a polyether amine. The Redline fuel additive is more concentrated than the Techron one.
I do use stabiliser/additive/ in all of my vintage cars especially with modern pump fuel. I also throw in a 1/200 shot of go kart oil as modern fuels don't have the same lubricating characteristics as older fuel.
I try to visit only Shell or Chevron for gas and about every 6 months I'll pour a bottle of Techron (or Redline) in.
I've never been a big "snake oil" user but I have seen Techron improve driveability in cars. It's not the same as fixing a real problem but it might be worth what it costs if it saves you from a trip to the shop.
We have been having LOTS of injector problems in recent years. I honestly do not know if any of the additives make any difference at all but I do know what does. I have a motor sitting on the floor of my shop that came out of a 125,000 mile 360. It was a daily driver. When we have a suspected injector problem in a 360, they come out so easily it make sense to just swap them with known good injectors. We take them out of the 125,000 mile motor because they work perfectly. Drive the car.
A real old guy working Service at a Texaco station here once entertained me with a story about "old Ferraris" on the East Coast being totally full of carbon when they pulled the heads. I agree with you, and probably something even more specific like Gumout would be even better for injectors.. Techron is sold touting it's effect on carbon build up, IIRC.
I agree driving is the best defense. It's the alcohol in the gas that fooks things up and what are you going to do about that? As far as oil I like the Shell Rotella T in older stuff. It makes a noticeable difference(less engine clangs) with the higher zinc levels and it's priced right.
That's good stuff! I a racing kart in Louisiana wouldn't start and the locals poured that in it....fired right up..didn't say a word on the can about that feature....
Seafom is a great product, and I use it on all my vehicles, specially the carb ones. However, seafom carbon build-up figthing properties only work if the gas circulates through the carb/injectors. A vehicle sitting for a long time (and carbs not drained) will not get the benefit of gas+seafom in the tank. Driving is good....driving with Seafom in the tank is best... Cheers.
Just so everyone knows, the guys putting different types of oils in there cars I'm pretty sure they mean there older cars. Oil may damage sensors (mass air flow, and o2 sensors) and may damage the cats. What ever you put in as an additive please read the bottle to make sure it's safe for newer cars.
I buy Techron by the case at Costco, and periodically put a bottle in the gas tank of the fuel injected cars, including my 328, the Corvette Z06 and the Jaguar XJ8. It's supposed to keep the fuel injectors clean and while I haven't done a scientific study or pulled the injectors to see how clean they are, the cars do run well and seem to do better after I've used the stuff. Strictly anecdotal, but from my experience, it does seem to work.
I use it. I have enough cars that some sit for a while. I use a bottle at fillups just to try and keep the injectors clean as I can. Never had a problem using it.
Taken from the Chevron website: "If you regularly use a high-quality gasoline such as Chevron, you probably don't need Techron Concentrate Plus. However, should you occasionally fill up with lower quality gasoline, you may need Techron Concentrate Plus to help clean up deposits that can build up over time. In addition, if you have an engine that is sensitive to deposit formation, or if your vehicle is regularly used under severe conditions, you may also benefit from using Techron Concentrate Plus." I only fill up at Chevron, using the 91 octane fuel specified for my cars, so I don't bother with the concentrate. YMMV. -w-
I find if you put a handful or two of sand in the gas tank every so often that it seems to scrape out all those nasty deposits.
Back in 1986 I had a new VW Jetta. Overtime it became difficult to start and run when cold. I took it to the dealer and he explained that deposits had formed on the intake valves and the best fix was to run several tanks through it with Techron added. It worked. About this time BMW started testing gas and rating it based on the amount of deposits left on intake valves of a test engine. Valves were weighed before a run then after a run. The best gas passed the 100,000 mile test, so-so gas passed the 50,000 mile test and so on. I am sure some of you remember the gas companies advertising that their product met the BMW 100,000 mile test. Today certain gasoline brands are "Top Tier" rated. These are the brands that exceed the EPA detergent performance standards established in 1995. BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi established the criteria. The brands that can meet this higher standard are listed at: http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html Techron works, but if you stick to one of the brands listed above you shouldn't need it.
FWIW I was told the best practice was to switch between "top-tier" fuel brands. Because of the different formulations (which all contain detergents), one brand will clean the other brand's residue. As for Techron....fifth generation Corvettes seemed to have a dash board fuel gage accuracy issue because of a residue buildup on the metal of the fuel level sensor assembly which is located inside the fuel tank. (Drop tanks to replace...big job). Many (many) owners have had success fixing this "build up" by running two to three fuel tanks of fuel loaded with Techron. As I recall even GM said to start with this step. A search on a Corvette Forum may bring more info...including a TSB.
I run a tank of gas with a bottle of Techron from time to time in my 348 and 2 BMWs. doesn't hurt if you use Costco gas and don't know what's in it. However, you don't want to burn this stuff in every tank full. Ask your mechanic about injector damage from too much of this stuff being used.
I've never found Techron to be 'snake oil', been running Chevron fuel for years with no reliability issues or nasty carbon buildups on the plugs. Chevron may be priced a penny or two over the crap gas stations, but I figure it to be cheap insurance in the long run for the engine. I cringe when I see high end sports cars at Arco/BP stations.
