So I posted earlier this week about my 07 FX4 being in the shop for missing problems. Turns out it was as a result of me putting in a bottle of Octane boost along with 92 Octane fuel. Didn't knowthat was a big no-no for newer vehicles. Reason I put it in there was because I was hearing a slight ping under light loads, turns out there is a TSB for that and it involves replacing the spark plugs with newer versions?

At any rate, got into a discussion with the Service Advisor about fuels, he says that Ford has had issues with Techron for the last several years in that it clogs things up. I was under the impression it was a great product designed to reduce the very thing the service advisor is stating it causes.

I kind of took what he said with a grain of salt and went into the shop area to talk with a friend of mine who works as a mechanic there. He confirmed the same thing that the SA said. The two gas stations closest to me are Chevron and Texaco, both of which serve up the Techron additive in the fuel and where I normally get fuel for both of my rigs.

Has anyone heard of such a thing?

 

Cant say I have heard of this, would sure like to know though because my gas card is Chevron

 

i personally use chevron (first) shell (second) no reason really, but i have had no probs. 05 w/ 90K mi., and 97 w/ 180K mi.

i haven't ever had a problem or heard of this. keep us informed.

 

You know my friends 99 f150 step side seemed to have the same problem from time to time whenever they would add that stuff and my 91 f150 doesnt seem to have a problem with it So im guessing its year related?

 

Yeah I'll try and find out more, I'm deeply curious about this now. I'll talk more with the Dealership and some different technicians tomorrow, as I have to take my rig back in....just got it back today.

CEL came on with a P0420 and P0430 code, something about the catalytic system below threshold or something. Ironically they farmed out the replacement of the Catalytic converters to a 3rd party (They thought they were bad after 7k miles on the truck) and they did a crap job on them. Plus when the dealershop put my AFE CAI back on, they didn't tighten the hoses on the intake or near the air filter itself so it was making a horrible sound when I'd give it any sort of gas...gah

 

Techron is the only fuel additive approved by Ford Motor Corporation. I don't know about your Ford dealership but the folks that engineered and make Fords seem to think it's the only fuel additive that works and doesn't destroy the fuel delivery system. I've never heard of Techron causing any issues and what I know about it there isn't anything in it to cause the issues your SA is talking about.

 

yeah, your correct Burns, I forgot to add that. They did mention they started having problems during and since the '03 model year.

 

Your dealer seems not to be very good.
What's this about subcontracting a cat change? Why? Don't know how or?
Go somewhere else.
Nothing wrong with Techron.
Sleight ping is normal, at times.
Don't get confused between Knock and Ping. There not 'exactly' one and the same.
Your motor has a Knock sensor but it's there for Knock and not Ping control.

 

Yea dont add octane boost to 92 in an engine designed for 87. Mine pings with 87, so I run Sunoco 89 in it and she does fine. Ford recommends BP, but mine does better with Sunoco over all the other brands. And the only additive I use is Redline's fuel system cleaner.

 

Yup, thats what my buddy was told (car salesman) from Ford. Also walked right over to the ford dealership across the street (know some guys in the shop...and we are a bit slow right now) and asked them, they also said (almost word for word) what Mr. LabNerd said.

I also use Chevron premium (almost primarily) but have used Shell once or twice in my truck. Zero problems. 45+k miles. Just throwing out my $0.02

 

While your vehicle is under warranty do not use Techron. This is straight out of the 2007 owner's manual.


"...Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty."

 

I was told by a guy who drives the tankers for a gas company without techron that techron is best. He says he knows his sh+t and chevron and mobil? maybe is the best for it. No sales gimmicks, it works he says, cleans and lubricates.

 

It was the Octane booster that fouled your O2 sensors. Techron does not clog anything. Your mechanic is confused.
Labnerd is correct as usual.

 

Jason- I was running a 92 Octane performance program with 92 oct fuel and we were leaving on a trip pulling our heavy travel trailer. It was still pinging, so I thought putting in a bottle of octane boost would solve it...it did, but obviously there were repercussions I didn't know about


Yeah bluegrass it was a ping, not a knock, that now seems to be gone with the plug replacement. Regarding the dealer not being very good, I'm starting to agree. Had to take my truck back in this morning and found out that they ruined both of the Cats during the troubleshooting or so they are saying. They now have to be replaced and I'm out another 2-3 days while I wait for them to get the parts in...

Great times I tell ya

 

Yeah, but Chevron and Texaco gas has Techron in it already. That section is talking about OIL additives.