Techron additive causes fuel gauge failure?

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Mar 13, 2009 | 06:01 AM

Slag

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Audiworld Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2006

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Techron additive causes fuel gauge failure?

I usually add a bottle of Techron at the last fill-up before I do an oil change. This time, that procedure seems to have made my fuel gauge lazy again. Since I refueled, my fuel gauge seems to be optimistic, showing 1/2 tank with 200 miles spent. About nine months ago I pulled the fuel level sender and cleaned the varnish off the potentiometer and contacts per AW posted procedure, and that restored normal operation. Since I refueled, my fuel gauge seems to be optimistic, showing 1/2 tank with 200 miles spent. Do folks here usually use fuel system additives/cleaners, and if so, have they notice the same correlation? I only fuel with Chevron, Texaco, and Shell, NEVER discount, grocery store, or wholesale club fuel.
Note that the Pac NW reformulates our fuel for "winter blend", consisting of up to 10% ethanol too.

Mar 13, 2009 | 06:19 AM

JoeS4

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Joined: Aug 2002

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Chevron Techron is great stuff (in fact recommeneded by the venerable Dick Shine @ Shine Racing

Service) and the much less venerable JoeS4.

But srsly, I doubt that's your issue. Plenty of peeps on here use Chevron Techron - it's good stuff. I've used it with no issues for a looong time.

Mar 13, 2009 | 06:29 AM

visintainer [vis]

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I use it with PNW 92, no problems

Mar 13, 2009 | 08:06 AM

Jason Trumpio

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Joined: Mar 2003

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I ran Chevron for a long time and my fuel sender recently failed

It was one of the surface mount resistors that failed. And by failed I mean, there is no longer resistance across it making it an open circuit and affecting the lower half of the gauge sweep.

IT could be that it breaks down the resistive material they place on the ceramic board.