A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

[Cady8special]

My "Friend" recently did a decarb, and forgot to add in the oil. He went through two 15 minute cycles at about 1500RPM's and then switched back to his main line, with pre-mixed gas. About 5 days and 2 fishing trips went by before he realized that he forgot to add the oil. My friend has the same motor as me ironicly-- a 1988 90HP Johnson.

Do you think that running the strong concentration of sea foam added enough lubrication to prevent my friends motor from seizing up?

Please tell me that the sea foam was enough to prevent any major damage so my friend can rest easy at night.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

I wish I could give you a straight up answer but the truth is no one can. It's possible that you took away some of the engines life expectancy but if it seems to be running fine then you probably didn't hurt it too badly. That's best answer anyone can give you. The only way to know for sure is to tear it down and do a visual and then check spec's. I wouldn't do that now that you've had it out without any noticible problems. Don't rely on getting away with it twice though.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

Wow! This has a chance to be the greatest SeaFoam testimonial ever.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

For what it's worth: When I was a youngster - dirt bike incident, my pop used my pre-mix can and filled it with Kerosene. I filled the moto cross bike up! I couldn't keep it running unless it was wide open (WOT). Screwed around with it for days until I found out it was kerosene. When I put pre-mix back in it, ran like a banshee pulling wheelies in 5th gear. Not exactly the same situation but if he's used the boat since the occurrence and it ran fine, I think he'll be ok.

 

[Cady8special]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

Thanks for the replies--

Does anyone know if Sea Foam has enough lubricating properties to almost act like oil in this situation? I know you can add it to engine oil in a crank case, so it must have some type of oil like characteristics.

What a nightmare. Rushing at the gas station- trying to get out of the way, and forgot to mix in the oil. Kicking myself for being such an *******.

 

[BonairII]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

Just do a compression test. That will tell you if there's a problem.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

With content about 50% oil, your engine most likely has 'survived'.
The data sheet is here:
http://www.seafoamsales.com/products/motor-treatment/technical-information/msds.html

 

[BonairII]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

This is the second thread about someone running their motor without oil. It's got me paranoid about my motor now. Caught myself running my last refuel through my mind to make sure I remember putting oil in.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

This is the second thread about someone running their motor without oil. It's got me paranoid about my motor now. Caught myself running my last refuel through my mind to make sure I remember putting oil in.

Probably one of the reasons the VRO was introduced??
Would not be surprised if it has saved more engines than what it is rumored to have ruined??

 

[HighTrim]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

As stated, do a compression test.

Dont you hate it when "friends" screw up!

 

[BonairII]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

Probably one of the reasons the VRO was introduced??
Would not be surprised if it has saved more engines than what it is rumored to have ruined??

Probably plenty of VRO owner's that ran the oil tank dry....and just disabled that damn alarm making all that racket.


IMO, if outboard owner's were/are too lazy to mix oil gas cause "it's too much trouble"....I'd imagine that they neglected any maintenance on their motors also.

 

[bcbit01]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

sorry two-stroke fans but....all the more reason to switch to four-stroke. I have a two stroke on my sailboat now and, although I take really good care of it, I can't wait for it to die. Four-strokes are a lot lighter and more compact than they used to be. Almost comparable. Simpler, smoother, quieter, cleaner operation. No oil to forget...or mis-measure...or slob all over the deck. More fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. You're done in my book.

 

[nwcove]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

sorry two-stroke fans but....all the more reason to switch to four-stroke. I have a two stroke on my sailboat now and, although I take really good care of it, I can't wait for it to die. Four-strokes are a lot lighter and more compact than they used to be. Almost comparable. Simpler, smoother, quieter, cleaner operation. No oil to forget...or mis-measure...or slob all over the deck. More fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. You're done in my book.

your response has nothing to do with the question asked.....but if you are forgetful, or cant figure out fuel/oil ratios, and cant refuel without spillage...go with a 4 stroke. jmo

 

[hidef]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

If the engine had been hurt you would have known by now. It was ran below 1500 RPMs and with the amount of oil in the Seafoam the wasn't ran long or hard enough to do damage.

Bcbit01 I hope you really don't want a four stroke because that two stroke will live a long time.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: A "Friend" forgot the oil during a decarb...

Thanks for the replies--

Does anyone know if Sea Foam has enough lubricating properties to almost act like oil in this situation? I know you can add it to engine oil in a crank case, so it must have some type of oil like characteristics.

What a nightmare. Rushing at the gas station- trying to get out of the way, and forgot to mix in the oil. Kicking myself for being such an *******.

In a word, no. It is a solvent and when added in the proper proportions does not dillute oils enough to cause a problem. Too much on the other hand can be a problem. I'm talking about a major overdose not a couple of ounces.