Is it a good/bad idea to use this in my 1988 Iroc with 72k miles? I am keeping the car original and just want to maintain it and keep it in good order for many years to come. Would it help to kep the fuel system clean? Or are there other/better ways to maintain the engine/fuel system?

 

Other than paying big $ to have the injectors flushed // cleaned at a shop or taking them out & having them cleaned & tested......

If it's running fine, then yes, it's good to use it..

 

yup, car runs great and starts up right away everytime. i just recently bought it and only drove it twice in the past 4 weeks or so. only a couple miles around town each way.

the other thought i had was how long can the techron stuff be left mixed with the fuel? i dont drive the car much so it will be there for a while otherwise i'll have to drive the car a whole lot. i'd rather not though.

 

Techron is an additive used by Chevron to achieve the status of "Top Tier Detergent Gasoline." Several automakers, like Chevrolet and BMW, got together and said when gasoline meets their standards, which is above and beyond EPA standards, they would label it top tier. Although Chevron achieved top tier status with the help of Techron, they market it as if it were the best thing that ever happened to your engine.

My suggestion is to use any of the top tier brands, including Chevron. I personally use 76, just a matter of preference.

 

"Oscarfromla" is correct. Techron is Chevron's name for their additive mix just like Shell, Citgo, BP, and all the others have for their additives. It is not a separate compound you can buy and put in your tank.

The thing you should be convcerned with is the octane rating you are using. Use only what is recommended and nothing lower. Yours probably requires 91 octane or above.

The other concern would be the limited miles you are putting on the car. If you are not using a tankfull every three months or so, you should seriously consider adding a fuel treatment like Startron or Stabil if NY mandates 10% ethanol in the gas. These additives keep the amount of moisture in your fuel to a minimum and helps retain the fuel's freshness for a longer period of time.

Bottom line - use name brand fuel at the octain rating recommended by GM and add a non-alcohol based additive if your fuel will be left in the car longer than 3 months.

 

I believe the OP is talking about this additive.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...ci_sku=7080568

As i say if its not broke dont fix it. but if you want to run something thru the car to clean it out id use seafoam.

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...F16_0006528079

 

I would just use seafoam. Only 8 dollars a can.

 

Hello SomeGuy25thZ!!

One thing to remember is, when storing your car for long periods of inactivity, keep the gas tank filled, that will help to prevent moisture, and oxidation of your fuel!!

Oxygen (air) in the tank really helps to break down the fuel, keeping it full when stored, keeps the air content down to a minimum!!

Trust me on this, my 1987 IROC-Z with Chevron 94 octane sat for 6 years, didn't even turn the key once in that 6 years, I installed a fresh battery, and turned the key, it sprang to life on the "second turn" of the motor, I drove it until it was at a normal operating temperature, and took it to the Air Care emissions testing where I live, and it passed with flying colours, with 6 year old gas !!

I use Chevron Techron 94 Octane all the time, that I can get it!!

It's good gas!!!



P.S. I'm not recommending to anybody to do what I do/did with my car in ref to the 6 year old gas, I'm just giving you my experience with Chevron 94 Octane!!

 

I love chevron gas, never really had a reason why I prefere it, I just never hear anything bad about it and I just know were getting quality gas when we go to Chevron

 

I dont care for Chevron at all. I remember years ago when I owned my first 3rd gen, an 85 IROC, I used chevron techron crap and it ran very sluggish. I know other guys that felt the same way too.

Now its only 76 or sometimes Arco is fine also.

 

[quote=FSTFBDY;4748515]I believe the OP is talking about this additive.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...ci_sku=7080568

Hello, FSTFBDY. Thanks for letting me know about this. I was not aware that it is marketed as a stand-alone product by Chevron. Thanks for the correction.

 

Im in long island and dont remember the last time i saw a chevron or 76. We have Mobil, Exxon, BP, Gulf, and various other no name brand places. Soemtimes i see a Shell here and there.

I usually use Mobil or Exxon and get 93, think thats the highest around.

Ive used Stabil before when storing my motorcycle. I can use that and i assume that doesnt harm the motor at all? I will have a tank full at a few months at a time so i think i'll drop in the recommended amount of that stuff.

 

Learned my lesson about ethanol fuels with my boat. It is not the octane, its the fact that ethanol absorbs much more moisture more than gasoline. With the 10% ethanol crap they provide at the pump these days (in all states and in all grades from regular to premium), you need to protect your vehicle from letting fuel sit in the tank for over 3 months. The octane rating does not affect this.

Normal use would typically not let your gas from getting "stale". However, if your car is not a daily driver, like my boat, allowing the gas to sit will cause major headaches when you do go to use it.

The ethanol will absorb moisture from the air and actually become saturated enough to separate and drop to the bottom of your tank. If that happens, there is nothing short of draining your tank to get rid of it - it will not burn.

The techron additive probably will only dissolve deposits like carbon and varnish from your valves, and fuel injectors/carborator. So, if you run your engine, it will help keep these parts stay clean but you need something to help the fuel in your tank stay fresh - that's where the stabil comes in. It prevents the ethanol from absorbing too much moisture and extends the useful life of your fuel. I don't use it in my cars because I run them enough. I do put it in my boat and I have not had a problem since I started using it. If you do use an additive to prevent the ethanol problem, just pick one that contains no alcohol (like Startron or Stabil).

 

good info. thanks tavert