Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

[E_S_A_D]

So in a nutshell last year we got a complete car rebuild done on our 1972 Johnson 50 hp. It runs like a charm going into winter. I had it completely winterized by the Marina; since, I don't know crap about engines.

That being said, this year I talked to the marina and they said due to all the ethanol in our modern fuel its best to run Seafoam.

I forgot to ask; however, should I run Seafoam every time I fill my little 6 gallon take or just once or twice a summer?

What's your recommendations? I want to keep these carbs clean since last year it was such a disaster and now they're brand new.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

I run seafoam in everything at all times, outboards, chainsaw, lawnmower and motorcycle. Helps keep carbon buildup and the engine clean. It is also a preserative for some things that don't get used all the time.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

I run seafoam in everything at all times, outboards, chainsaw, lawnmower and motorcycle. Helps keep carbon buildup and the engine clean. It is also a preserative for some things that don't get used all the time.

It seems as if it would get pretty expensive to run it every time in my 6 gallon tank? Should I run it maybe every few times with the idea that some is better than none? 12 ounces enough per 6 gallons?

Thanks! I'm going to dump a little in my lawn mower and weed whipper fuel too!

 

[RMasters]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

I should get into the additive business, people still do it?

I have been driving/operating combustion motors (>25 years), am still doing it and will be doing it (>???).

I never used any of these additives, never had any issues, but at the end more money left in my pocket.

Oh, and by the way: Except for gasoline for my outboard, I have not used gasoline in years, all our vehicles drive on Ethanol, with no issues (we did our research). Except, again, that it leaves us more money in our pockets, and we spend it US only.

Most "justifications" regarding Ethanol come strictly from the lack of knowledge about this alternative fuel.

Ahoy!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

Um, ethanol is an additive, not a type of fuel.

Anyone that says that Seafoam is a snake oil has obviously never decarbed a motor with it before.

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

Not going to join the debate but,,,,,,O Riellys had buy two get third free sale going the other day......ok maybe I will join it a little......I had a pickup and it always ran perfect one day I fill up go about five miles and it starts running like crap and I mean chugging.....great.....stop by auto store tell them what happened they handed me a can of sea foam and about ten miles later truck ran perfect again......now I do not run it in everything cause $$$$ but, if something is acting up......I will give it a try as the easy fix.....sometimes works sometimes not...just by 2 cents

 

[emoney]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

I've never used seafoam, but I know lots of folks that swear by it, so to each his own. Something as important, if not 'more', is to be consistent where you purchase your fuel. A lot of problems that people blame on Ethanol additives are actually derived from poor fuel tanks at gas stations that are allowing in ground water, etc. to seep into their tanks, thus into your tank. I remember the debates between leaded and unleaded fuel a couple decades ago with both sides arguing to the death about who was right. Ultimately, all that's been forgotten now and there's a generation that wouldn't understand what you're talking about if you said "leaded gas".

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

Um, ethanol is an additive, not a type of fuel.

Anyone that says that Seafoam is a snake oil has obviously never decarbed a motor with it before.

Ethanol is not a fuel????????? It is indeed a fuel that I run in my car. It is called E-85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). Even regular grade gasoline is called E-10 (90% regular gas and 10% ethanol). In this country it is made from corn but it can be made from lots of plants including prairie grass and sugar cane.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

OK who wants to play Lego's?

That's about the only way to ever stop these debates from going on, use what you feel comfortable with using.

Do I use Sea Foam? Usually at the beginning of a season, just to try and clean out any creepies that could have developed over the winter, or if I buy a used motor from an unknown source. However after that I just watch where I buy gasoline from.

Do I use gasoline with ethanol in it? Yes, but E85 in my outboard? no way......10% blend or less for me thank you.

The only true facts that I can count on, is that I have never had any problems in 20 years that could be blamed on gasoline or it's additives.

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

Yea saw the orileys buy 2 get one free sale!!

But to the OP if your using the boat a lot this summer i would not run it every tank. If your gonna go awhile and you use ethonol blended fuel id use it if sitting for more than 3-4 weeks. You should use it per the label for this which is 1oz per gallon. You can put as much as you want per tank it wont hurt but if you have no symtom or not trying to decarb the motor there is no reason to run a bottle per 6 gallons.

I personally stay away from the ethonol fuel. I can still buy 100% gas at my local station, it costs between 7-15 cents more per gallon than if i got 30 mins to the big town, but its still the cheapest place in this small town, and thats where i buy boat and yard gas. Cars im not as particular but the boat only gets real gas.

 

[JB]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

I wish I understood why this silliness pops up in so many threads. It is really annoying to me. I wonder how the OP feels. . .He asks a serious question and get this adolescent nonsense.

E_S_A_D, Seafoam is a good product for decarbing. There is no real benefit in running it full time except as your wallet gets lighter the boat goes faster.

If you are concerned about the boogeyman (ethanol) in your gas, use StaBil Ethanol treatment. It won't do any good either, except it might take away unreasonable fears about having ethanol in the gas.

Now, as to the guys that have been burning E10 for years with no additives or snake oil. . .or trouble. They have the magic code rings, water separating fuel filters and take good care of their engines.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

What most of it comes down to is a motor that is properly maintained, people like to skimp on maintenance and then want to look for a scapegoat for problems that arise from it.

I wish I had a magic code ring though, those can be found at the bottom of the fuel tank can't they?

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

I wanted to give an update on the Seafoam issue. It looks like it became quite the heated topic here . Anyways, thanks for all your insight.

I ran the recommended ounces yesterday in my 72 50hp Johnson and it ran great for the first 15 minutes... then the dreaded 'bogging'. I called our local mechanic and he said that Seafoam, although recommended, could have jarred a piece of gunk lose from within the lines and reclogged the carbs.

Long story short, it's back at the shop getting the carbs cleaned again after a complete rebuild of the carbs last year. Don't sweat the small things we're telling ourselves.

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: Seafoam (Revisited): Talked to Marina, but still confused on its use...

I used Seafoam for years. But, I have found a different product that is much more cost effective.

Pri-G Concentrate 1 ounce treats 16 Gallons of fuel. It's a fuel stabilizer, decarb treatment and treats for ethanol. I use it in the boat, lawn equipment, etc. Check it out...

http://www.priproducts.com/pdfs/Flyer - PRI-G - CONSUMER.pdf