Chevron’s trademarked “Techron” formula is not a new kid on the block. It’s been around for many years and I have used the off-the-shelf fuel injector treatment extensively in all of my family cars. I have also employed it occasionally in my EdgeWater’s Yamaha F225 four-stroke outboard for the four years that I have owned it. Using fresh 87 Octane fuel, combined with the periodic addition of the aforementioned Techron fuel injector cleaner and swapping out my Sierra 10-micron fuel filter element twice annually have produced zero fuel-related problems during 250-hours of three-season saltwater charter boat operations. My Yamaha’s fuel injectors ran up to factory specs, with silky smooth acceleration throughout the cruising range, with zero stalling or knocking issues at idle, trolling, cruising or at wide open throttle. The proven Techron family of products includes Powersports & Small Engine Fuel System Treatment, Diesel Fuel System Cleaner, the aforementioned Fuel Injector Cleaner; Complete Fuel System Cleaner and the newbie to the family tree, the Marine Fuel System Treatment.
According to Chevron’s engineering team, keeping the fuel system and engine clean is an important task of marine fuel additives. When you run a boat hard and shut down to fish, and do this repeatedly, impurities in gasoline get “baked” onto internal parts of your fuel system, forming deposits on valves and creating particles that impede the flow of fuel through injectors. Detergents are added to gasoline to remove and control deposits. However, carbon deposits still accumulate over time and more so with lower quality fuels.
This is where aftermarket fuel additives and their concentrated detergency come into play. Polyether Amine (PEA) is a powerful detergent that has enabled Chevron to provide the unsurpassed cleaning power of Techron. PEA was invented by Chevron in 1980 to clean engines and still remains one of the optimum proven cleaning agents to date. There are various types of PEA chemistry in the market, but they are not all the same. Less costly PEA detergents used in some additive formulas can cause problems, since inferior fuel additives can make their way into the crankcase and cause sludge and varnish. The trick is to select a quality additive that is designed specifically for your application to keep your engine running smooth and clean over the long term.
Techron Marine can be used in boats powered by all inboard, outboard and sterndrive gasoline engines, including two-stroke, four-stroke, carbureted, electronic fuel injected and direct-injected engines. It is ideal for use with ethanol-free gasoline or a wide range of ethanol-blended fuels.
While Techron Marine stabilizes fuel up to 24-months, it’s not just a storage product. Its breakthrough additive formulation delivers performance benefits with every use, providing complete fuel system protection and it won’t contribute to phase separation. Test data has shown that Techron Marine provides “best-in-class” corrosion protection in both fresh and saltwater environments, making it an ideal choice for inland boaters, and inshore and offshore anglers.
This powerful new additive also delivers the advanced cleaning power that’s been a long-time hallmark of the Techron brand, further benefitting boaters by restoring power and performance and optimizing fuel efficiency by cleaning fuel injectors, throttle bodies, carburetors and combustion chambers. It cleans intake valve deposits in fuel injected engines, for smoother idling and enhanced throttle response. This helps minimize cold start problems, while preventing and removing gum and varnish in the fuel system.
I had the chance to talk with Joe DeFina, Chevron’s Global Fuel Additives Manager, and he stated that, “Managing your boat’s fuel for strong engine performance, reliability and trouble-free time on the water may seem complicated, but it’s actually fairly simple. Treat your fuel with a proven additive that does not contain emulsifiers or alcohols that contribute to water uptake. Make sure your boat has a water-separating fuel filter, inspect it regularly and change it when needed. Keep your fuel cap tight and make sure your vent lines are in good shape. Lastly, when you are going to store your boat for a while, fill the tank, dose it with a storage/stabilizer additive like Techron Marine Fuel System Treatment and run it through the engine before storage.”
Techron Marine Fuel Treatment was designed for any gasoline-powered boat. When used with every fill-up, it is proven to prevent fuel-related issues, provide the highest level of corrosion protection in fresh and salt water, and keep engines clean and running at peak performance. With only 1 oz. of this formula required to treat 10-gallons of fuel, a little protection goes a long way. Techron Marine is offered in three package sizes to accommodate the needs of most boaters. Easily stored 4 oz. bottles are a convenient way for boaters to treat up to 40 gallons of fuel. Owners of larger boats can treat up to 100-gallons of fuel with the 10 oz. bottle. And for the most active boating enthusiasts, Techron Marine is also offered in a value-size 128 oz. bottle that treats 1,280 gallons of fuel. For more information, visit www.techronclean.com.
