That's interesting about Chevron.. I got a new Audi sedan in 1990  and one
of the gas suppliers you HAD to use was Chevron or void your warranty for
the fuel injectors. The car came with a couple of pamphlets with a list of
the brands of gas you could use...They sure like chevrons additives then..
Lloyd in Eureka,CA ( I used to make F309)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Thompson" <jim@KARMANNGHIA.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2004 1:23 PM
Subject: Re: LVC: Passat feedback

> I would tend to agree what the VW guy said about Chevron is BOGUS.
Correct
> me if I'm wrong, daft or just out of touch (well, it is Friday :-), but
> isn't Techron/Techroline, Chevron's gasoline additive approved by BMW for
> use *against* valve/valve seat deposits for the past several years?
> Granted, you don't often find an automotive manufacturer that endorses an
> additive, but it seems I read this somewhere (maybe in a dream?).
>
> When I was was living in Redding, NorCalif in the last decade we didn't
have
> much in the way of Chevron Stations nearby (lotsa Arcos, BPs, Shells,
> Unocal76s, USAs, UltraMars [Beacon]), etc., so I always bought and used a
> bottle of Techron from the FLAPS every 10k on the recommendation of my VW
> mechanic friend Chuck who operates a local authorized Audi/VW Service
> Facility (they don't have a dealer in Redding)(Oasis Motors).  Never had
any
> kinda problem with the stuff.
>
> Jim Thompson
> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> oldvolkshome@earthlink.net
> jim@karmannghia.com
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> ***********************
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Markus Mumper" <mumper@USA.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, August 27, 2004 11:41 AM
> Subject: Re: LVC: Passat feedback
>
>
> "My wife has a 2001 4 Motion Automatic six cylinder Passat (we call it the
> Piss
> Ant).
>
> In about 25,000 miles of easy driving it has been to the VW Dealer at
least
> five times with the same difficulty - it wouldn't start. It would turn
over
> just fine all day long but would never catch - time to call AAA.
>
> These are all of the parts that have been replaced under warranty:
> 1. All the coils - twice! (there are two cylinders per coil).
> 2. Spark plug wires.
> 3. Fuel pump.
> 4. Computer.
>
> This non-starting occurs without any pattern that we can discern, and
> sometimes it will start after several attempts, run really roughly for
about
> thirty seconds and then everything is fine.
>
> The last time this happened (about six months ago) VW asked my wife what
> gasoline she typically uses - she answered Chevron. The VW guy went "Aha -
> that's your problem, Chevron gas leaves deposits on the valves (seats or
> guides? he did not say)that prevents them from closing, thus no
compression
> and no running, this happens with Chevy's too". I think this is completely
> bogus but we have since switched gasoline brands (anything other than
> Chevron)
> and this difficulty has not re-occurred?!?!?!?!?!
>
> Anyway - my overall impressions of the car:
> 1. Not reliable (less so then my "87 Westy, she always starts!)
> 2. Average handling.
> 3. Below average acceleration.
> 4. Comfortable.
> 5. Looks pretty good.
> 6. Gets about 25mpg city and freeway driving combined.
>
> Unfortunately my wife and I drive our cars until they die so we may have
the
> Passat for a long time, I would not buy one again.
>
> Markus
>