Sea Foam additive

[Conductor562]

My neighbor gave me a can of Sea Foam Motor Treatment to try as a fuel stabilizer. He cited the additional benefits versus Sta-Bil with he claimed were numerous. According to the label this stuff does everything clean injectors a carbs to stabilizing fuel and everything in between. I used the whole can as a stabilizer but is this stuff really that good? Is it any good at all. Is it's effective at half the stuff it claims I'd have no use for any other fuel treatment ever again. Any thoughts or first hand experiences?

 

[JimVonBaden]

Pretty good stuff. It cleans gummy residue from fuel systems.

That said, make sure you are using the right one. If you have ethanol in your gas you need the ethanol Seafoam.

Jim

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've used Seafoam when putting my car away for the winter. It started right up and ran fine in the spring, so it must have worked.

 

[Conductor562]

Pretty good stuff. It cleans gummy residue from fuel systems.

That said, make sure you are using the right one. If you have ethanol in your gas you need the ethanol Seafoam.

Jim

Doesn't all gas anymore contain 10% Ethanol?

The can I had said for Gas, Ethanol, Diesel, and Bio-Diesel. Hope that's the right one

 

[Beaumont67]

2 years ago, I switched from Sta-Bil to a Sea Foam fuel stabilizer & glad i did.
For all my small engines (2 & 4 stroke) - Toro push mowers, Stihl, John Deere riders.
- my Stihl finally starts much easier now

I even got a free and seized Toro mower (1988 model, sat in a snow bank one winter), 2 weeks of soaking the piston with light oil, dumped the fuel, new spark plug...fresh premium gas treated with Sea Foam, and put a little Sea Foam in the crankcase oil to.
- now its the best mower I've had in 35 years
- took the sludge out of the carb & fuel lines
Treated fuel will be stable for 3 years, using Sea Foam....I never knew there was more than one type.
- local UAP only stocks the white can...keeps the fuel system clean, using gas contain 10% Ethanol

 

[boosteddsm92]

Doesn't all gas anymore contain 10% Ethanol?

http://pure-gas.org/

 

[Conductor562]

http://pure-gas.org/

Thanks for sharing. No ethanol free stations in my area, but it's nice to to know they're still out there

 

[LSU]

I've used SeaFoam for about 3 years in my "outdoor" motors. I'm very pleased with it. Some of my stuff sits up unused for long periods.

I love it and recommend it.

 

[jvitez]

It's all I use now. Stabil is so so. The best I ever used was PRI-G, but it's not available in Canada. Seafoam wasn't either until a few years ago. Ever since, I put Seafoam in every jerry can of gas I buy for all my outdoor power products, so I'm always using stabilized fuel. If I don't use something for a while (eg. chainsaw) I don't have to worry about emptying the tank and running it dry.

In the fall I put Seafoam in my summer toys and run the engines for 10 minutes to ensure the carb/fuel injectors are filled with treated fuel. In the spring I do the same for my snowmobile.

Seafoam is all I use for fuel stabilizing. Excellent stuff!

The best fuel injection/carb cleaner though is Amsoil P.I. Performance Improver. Definitely better than Seafoam. But for fuel stabilization Seafoam is it.

 

[Boomer343]

In my sports car and bikes I use a combination of Two Stroke Oil with a TC-W3 rating and for longer storage Startron Fuel Additive.

http://mystarbrite.com/startron/

The two stroke oil keeps the fuel much fresher and the small amount used doesn't give any kind of smoke screen.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Pretty good stuff. It cleans gummy residue from fuel systems.

That said, make sure you are using the right one. If you have ethanol in your gas you need the ethanol Seafoam.

Jim

Uhh.... No you don't? Unless they've changed it over the years I've only ever seen "Seafoam" as the product name, no other options available, and it says right on the can that regular Seafoam can be used with ethanol fuels, even E85.

Sea Foam has been tested and proven to work well in Ethanol blended fuels since they first appeared in the 1990s – even the newest E-85 blend. Ethanol has the effect of stripping the protective layer of motor oil from the cylinder walls, so the addition of Sea Foam Motor Treatment to your fuel actually helps to combat this drying effect by adding upper cylinder lubrication that helps to prolong the life of your engine and its fuel system components. Additionally, Ethanol can absorb moisture and when ethanol reaches its saturation point can cause what is known as (phase separation) this is when the moisture and ethanol can separate from the gasoline causing drivability problems and potential engine damage. Sea Foam helps control moisture in fuel caused by condensation by breaking moisture into molecules and dispersing it throughout the fuel, if moisture can not pool or collect ethanol can not absorb the moisture and renders the moisture harmless.

I use 10% ethanol blended fuels in everything because it's all that's available in the Chicagoland area, but if you have a better stability product please LMK, because I would prefer to use something that will keep the fuel better, longer.


-James

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Seafoam is good stuff, but if you think it's preserving your fuel, think again. Seafoam is a mixture of isopropyl alcohol, light oil, and light solvents. There is nothing in it to preserve gasoline. Check the MSDS yourself if you don't believe me...

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Seafoam is good stuff, but if you think it's preserving your fuel, think again. Seafoam is a mixture of isopropyl alcohol, light oil, and light solvents. There is nothing in it to preserve gasoline. Check the MSDS yourself if you don't believe me...

I'm curious now...

Helps stabilize fuel. Sea Foam Motor Treatment adds volatility, dissolves and prevents varnish formation in the fuel, this is also important for fuel storage and when storing vehicles and equipment helping to keep carburetor jets or fuel injectors clean. Sea Foam can help stabilize fuels for up to two years. Always run the engine for a long enough period of time to assure the Sea Foam Motor treatment has been drawn through the entire system fuel system for complete protection.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Here's the MSDS:
http://www.seafoamsales.com/msds-downloads.html

Ingredients
Pale oil
Naptha
IPA

One of Seafoam's best uses is to pour it in the intake of a running engine to remove carbon buildup, but the truth is almost any liquid will do the same job, plain water in the carb is an old mechanic's trick...

 

[PeterT]

I was under the impression that the lowest octane fuel 'regular' had ethanol, except for some exceptions as noted above.
But the mid and premium fuels didn't have ethanol.

I know running (or especially sitting) ethanol gas in 2 stroke motor ruins the internals of the carb.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Here's the MSDS:
http://www.seafoamsales.com/msds-downloads.html


One of Seafoam's best uses is to pour it in the intake of a running engine to remove carbon buildup, but the truth is almost any liquid will do the same job, plain water in the carb is an old mechanic's trick...

I did read the MSDS, but what I'm saying is why would they advertise it as doing something it doesn't? Especially for the long time Seafoam has been in business one would think if their product didnt actually do that they would have been sued or contacted by the Govt. to take the claims down.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

I was under the impression that the lowest octane fuel 'regular' had ethanol, except for some exceptions as noted above.
But the mid and premium fuels didn't have ethanol.

Depends on where you're getting your gas. Here in OR, I *think* they changed the law requiring ethanol to regular only, but I'm not aware of any stations around here that sell straight gas in any grade.

I know running (or especially sitting) ethanol gas in 2 stroke motor ruins the internals of the carb.

The carb on a 2 stroke is the same as a 4 stroke. Personally I think "ethanol" is just something for lazy mechanics to blame. Yes, it makes fuel go bad faster because it attracts water, but the ethanol itself should not hurt a healty fuel system.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

I did read the MSDS, but what I'm saying is why would they advertise it as doing something it doesn't? Especially for the long time Seafoam has been in business one would think if their product didnt actually do that they would have been sued or contacted by the Govt. to take the claims down.

It wouldn't be the first automotive product in a bottle that doesn't do what it claims. How are you going to PROVE that it didn't "stabilize" your gas? For that matter, define "stabilize".

 

[uconn9]

In the northeast, I believe all grades at a typical gas station contain 10% ethanol.

 

[wssix99]

I did read the MSDS, but what I'm saying is why would they advertise it as doing something it doesn't?

For the same reason companies can put advertisements on TV that imply that taking a pill will make your **** bigger.

However; I don't see them claiming that they are a "fuel stabilizer" http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment.html

Seafoam is a decent system cleaner, but its nothing special. It contains the same chemicals as every other cleaner like MotorVac, GM Top End Cleaner, MOPAR, etc...

 

[mobiledynamics]

SEAFOAM IMO is like Stabil....
However, seems like other GJ members like Stabil.

Not a fan of Stabil.
I prefer Startron Enzyme

 

[Burtonrider10022]

For the same reason companies can put advertisements on TV that imply that taking a pill will make your **** bigger.

**** picture /IMG]

[B][U]However; I don't see them claiming that they are a "fuel stabilizer"[/U][/B] [url]http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment.html[/url]

Seafoam is a decent system cleaner, but its nothing special. It contains the same chemicals as every other cleaner like MotorVac, GM Top End Cleaner, MOPAR, etc...[/QUOTE]

err....

 

[bad12jr]

The carb on a 2 stroke is the same as a 4 stroke. Personally I think "ethanol" is just something for lazy mechanics to blame. Yes, it makes fuel go bad faster because it attracts water, but the ethanol itself should not hurt a healty fuel system.

This is my second post on here but I've been on here reading for a while. A four stroke and two stroke Carb are nothing alike other then they do same function. Ethanol in a 2 stroke in older equipment can eat seal gaskets and natural rubber pieces. The same reason you can't run e85 in most cars. It will destroy rubber. It will eat 4 stroke stuff as well but doesn't effect as bad due to design and the fact that fuel doesn't enter the crankcase. I worked on small engines for 5 years and I started about a year before ethanol was added. It was obvious when the fuel switch due to bad carbs from internal seals failing on 2 strokes.



Sent from my x2 somewhere

 

[Conductor562]

I have to say, this thread exceeded my expectations

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Put me down as a POSITIVE for Sea Foam.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Ethanol in a 2 stroke in older equipment can eat seal gaskets and natural rubber pieces. The same reason you can't run e85 in most cars. It will destroy rubber. It will eat 4 stroke stuff as well but doesn't effect as bad due to design and the fact that fuel doesn't enter the crankcase.

I'll say it again: a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke carb are the same! They are made from EXACTLY the same materials. Same gaskets and seals. The reason you can't run E85 in most cars is because it is 85% ethanol. 10% ethanol is completely different. You can't run E85 in a normal 2 stroke either. It has NOTHING to do with "fuel in the crankcase".

Say what you want about the E10 mixture, but whatever you think it does, it does the same to both 2 and 4 stroke engines.

 

[KPSquared]

Depends on where you're getting your gas. Here in OR, I *think* they changed the law requiring ethanol to regular only, but I'm not aware of any stations around here that sell straight gas in any grade.


The carb on a 2 stroke is the same as a 4 stroke. Personally I think "ethanol" is just something for lazy mechanics to blame. Yes, it makes fuel go bad faster because it attracts water, but the ethanol itself should not hurt a healty fuel system.

I just know that if I run gas with ethanol in my bikes or my saws, things go downhill fast. I don't use a mechanic for anything, it's just my personal experience.

 

[2mJps]

I use stabil in things that set and have had good results. The places that sell seafoam must give the people that sell it some kind of deal they try to sell me some to the point it aggrvated me.Their is a lot of snake oil on the market allways has been and will be.

 

[1steve]

If you don't like ethanol laced fuel why would anyone want to add to the problem with SeaFoam?

 

[GRX]

Sea Foam ... all three of the main ingredients listed in the MSDS act as fuel stabilizers, in different ways.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

I have one of those little HF 2 cycle generators, it's been sitting for about a year with ethanol gas in it, no stabilizer. I fired it up intending to burn off the old gas about a week ago, but it ran so good I just left it alone. Started on the first pull! That's amazing for a 2 stroke even with fresh gas...

 

[Maddabe]

Doesn't all gas anymore contain 10% Ethanol?

The can I had said for Gas, Ethanol, Diesel, and Bio-Diesel. Hope that's the right one

Seafoam is Seafoam is Deep Creep (aerosole Seafoam) is Seafoam. Gas Diesel, ethanol, methanol whatever.

 

[Maddabe]

There must be some magical properties to it. I had a full 5 gallon gas can that was treated with Seafoam. After nearly 2 years (said can had been hiding) I was curious. Filled my push mower, pulled 3 times and she purred like a kitten. No ****.

 

[Gary S]

I've used Seafoam and it seems to be a good product, but I still have my best luck using Sta-bil. My small winter engine (snowblower) gets a squirt of two of Sta-bil and it cranks up every Fall in the first turn or two every year for the last 15 years. I also use it in my classic cars and I can run 5-10 year old gas in the tank with no performance issues. Seafoam might do the same job, but when Sta-bil works that well, I see no reason to change.

 

[Maddabe]

And Seafoam is one of the few that actually works.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

"Step right up folks and get yourself a bottle of this here Seaform.
Gar-ran-teed to cure moles, colds, and sore assholes. Get a few more bottles for friends and family....yes sir"

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Sea Foam ... all three of the main ingredients listed in the MSDS act as fuel stabilizers, in different ways.

********. Alcohol is a stabilizer? Oil is a stabilizer? Naptha is a stabilizer? NO, on all accounts.

If that was true ethanol gas would never go bad!

 

[bad12jr]

When I have Stihl German engineers telling me saws are failing due to fuel in the US I'm going to be a little more apt to believe them. I've had enough carbs apart to tell what ethanol in the fuel does to them. Ethanol draws moisture which doesn't fair well in fuel system that sets often. I've been to many small engine technician classes. When people who have done this for 30+ years are saying the same thing I am with my much less experience i see a problem.

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk 2

 

[azcactus]

xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[saskscout]

Big fan of Sea Foam, works great in all of our small engines, keeps them running great. Never used it enough in larger engines to comment.