Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Techron and CEL?

I run Techron fuel system cleaner every oil change (6K mi) and the last 2 changes both times I put it in the tank I get about 25 miles through the tank and I get a CEL, 100-150 miles later it goes away. What the hell is this from?

this is my wifes Auto ZX2 (Zetec).

Scan and post the code(s) next time. It could be anything from gas cap not closed properly to oil dipstick not seated properly to marginal catalystic converter. But we won't know for sure until we have the code.

Like Tony stated we can't answer until you get the codes read so we now where the problem lies.
Even though the CEL light is out, it may be stored in the computer.
To bad there's no Autozone's in Hawaii otherwise you could've got it scanned for free.

Why do you run the cleaner at all? I ran a couple of Techrons through mine, but it sat for a year with old gas in it. Heck, I pulled the fuel pump, tore it apart and had to manually clean it.

What brand of gas do you use? I prefer to run Shell in everything. But I've heard that Marathon also doesn't run ethanol.

BP in my diesel.

I use it to keep the injectors clean. If you run super all the time you really don't need to run cleaner because the octane booster is the cleaner and there is more of it. I run regular so I add Techron every so often. The Feds require some cleaner in regular but the suppliers don't always follow the rules. I used to work for a major oil company and read a number of test reports from area stations and some doesn't measure up.

I use the super craptastic 87 oct that AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) supplies here on Island because the local gas is also crap but even more exspensive.

I run the techron because I want this car to last and keep good gas mileage. Chevron Techron is, IMHO, the best fuel system cleaner out there. Just wish I knew why it threw codes.

I probably should change out the O2's, but the plugs look great, and the car gets great mileage still. PCV is new and it doesn't have EGR (VCT on ex. cam).

Without the codes, there's only guessing. Obviously something is reacting.

If you're in the service, see if your local auto crafts shop has an OBD-II scanner.

Steve

same friggin thing happened to me. except I filled up at a chevron station that uses the techron in their premium(91octane). the light was on for a couple days and I was gonna get it checked out at school today(UTI) and of course whadya know it shut off this morning. I'm gonna check and see if it stored anything, but prob. not.