Chevrolet Repair: Service Engine Soon light, chevron techron, top tier gasoline

Question
I drive a 1999 Silverado with 107,500 miles on it. About three weeks ago the Service Engine Soon light came on, with no apparent problems. This morning it was idling rather sluggishly, but ran more smoothly as it warmed up. Do I have to take it to the Chevy dealer or can someone else diagnose the problem?

Thanks for your help!

GB


Answer
What I would do is drive it for awhile to see if the SES light goes out. It may be dirty injectors causing both problems. You can try this:

Obtain 4 bottles of Chevron Techron Plus fuel injector cleaner at any auto parts store. Fill your gas tank up and add 2 bottles of the Chevron. Do not add more gas until your under a quarter of tank. Refill the tank and add another 2 bottles and repeat the process. If it is dirty injectors (which has been a problem on your vehicle) it should clear up. The SES light will off on it's own after several pass cycles. GM recommends that the Chevron should be used as a maintenance item every 3000 miles but just use one bottle. Make sure you buy the larger bottle that treats 20 gallons of gas not the small that treats 16. You should also try to use only Top Tier gasoline - www.toptiergas.com.

If after running 2 cycles of injector cleaner through your vehicle and the conditions do not improve...you should then take it to the dealer for diagnosis.

with all the fuel injector problem you're better of doing this before taking it in...it just may fix the problem and save you some $$$.