sea foam

[lockhaven]

Has anyone used sea foam in their oil and fuel? i was reading about the stuff and it looks like it would be a good thing. But like most things there could be some hidden problems that the manufacturer forgets to mention.

 

[jimrs]

I just bought a gal of it and added it to my mowers and tractor fuel. I have used it in my boat for two years. No problems so far, that I know of.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've also used Sea Foam for a couple of years. I cannot say it does any good but it pretty clearly hasn't done anything bad.

 

[tmajor]

I got two cans and put in the truck .... one in the gas tank and the other in the cup-holder of the console. I can't tell, if the truck is running any better or not. I thought it might be running a little better, but, I also think, it runs better after being washed.

 

[KYDan]

I have used Sea Foam for years, mostly when performing a decarbon procedure on two stroke engines. It is great for removing carbon. I also put a small amount at least once a year in all my two stroke engine tanks. I also use it for a fuel stablilizer in the two stroke engines for winter storage. It's been around for a long time which would seem to indicate that it is worthwhile. That said, I have not tried it in any 4 stroke engines, but I have heard that it does not harm them.

 

[rekees4300]

Just started using it. Riding mower has been surging when the engine is low RPMs. Thought maybe Seafoam would clean the carb but so far no difference. Maybe problem isn't dirty carb so really can't pass judgement on the product.

 

[creekbend]

Thanks for the thread. I have never heard of Sea Foam before but it appears that I have gained valuable info. Where do you purchase this product? Perhaps at the Auto Parts store?:tractor:

 

[IslandTractor]

Tractor Supply sells it.

 

[5030]

O'reily's has it in gallons. The TSC stores have pints. Quantity is always cheaper.

It works really well for reconditioning older 4 strokes that suffer fron gunked up carbs and carboned up combustion chambers.

So does Berryman B12 Chem Tool.

 

[creekbend]

Tractor Supply sells it.

Thanks for the info.

 

[steve0413]

My Gravely riding mower would not idle at all. I added Sea Foam, ran it full throttle for 5 minutes and it now purrs like a kitten at idle. However, not as much luck with my rough running Suzuki four-wheeler.

 

[5030]

One of my wife's female friends came by a really old front tine tiller, I believe an Ariens for nothing but the B%S horizontal shaft engine was feeble or in other words, you got blisters from the recoil (which I broke the rope on but that's another story). I put in about 5 ounces of seafoam in the almost empty gas tank, gave it a shot of either and fired it up. I held the throttle wide open (Briggs don't have enough carburetor or intake efficiency to blow up) and ran out the 5 ounces, filled it back up with regular unleaded and it now purrs likie a kitten and starts on the second pull.

 

[srusse]

I'm not an additive user but I do use SeaFoam and StaBil regularly in all my engines. Particularly after a winter in the barn when I said I'd run the engine every week but didn't.

 

[5030]

I'm not an additive user but I do use SeaFoam and StaBil regularly in all my engines. Particularly after a winter in the barn when I said I'd run the engine every week but didn't.

I'm guilty of the exact same scenario.

 

[Western]

I use it in my boat motor (4 stroke), can't tell any real difference, but the boat forums swear by it, especially with ethanol in the gas theses days.

I also mix it in my lawn mower, weed eater ect tra.

 

[o2batsea]

An effective elephant repellant, but otherwise not worth a darn.

 

[Patches]

An effective elephant repellant, but otherwise not worth a darn.

Why ya gotta be like that :laughing:

 

[rundogs]

I bought my daughter a VW Jetta at a tow in auction that had a miss and a bad valvetrain tick.I poured some seafoam into the oil and after a few minutes it cleared up.Iwas thinking it was a collapsed lifter that the seafoam helped clear up.It's run fine ever since.

 

[dourobob]

Has anyone ever used this product to de-carbon a Lister Petter diesel engine that was using waste veggie oil for fuel - asking for a friend (really!!)

 

[beppington]

I think these fuel additives are just placebos.

I posted this yesterday (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/2527116-post33.html):

I think ya'll can save your money.

From Mercury Marine (http://www.mercurymarine.com/service-and-support/storage-and-maintenance/faqs/mercruiser/?category=ethanol)

What is phase separation, and how do I deal with it?

If significant amounts of water are present in a fuel tank with gasoline that contains ethanol, the water will be drawn into the fuel until the saturation point is reached for the three-component mixture of water + gasoline + ethanol. Beyond this level of water, phase separation could cause most of the ethanol and water to separate from the bulk fuel and drop to the bottom of the tank, leaving gasoline with a significantly reduced level of ethanol in the upper phase. If the lower phase of water and ethanol is large enough to reach the fuel inlet, it could be pumped directly to the engine and cause significant problems. Even if the ethanol water phase at the bottom of the tank is not drawn into the fuel inlet, the reduced ethanol level of the fuel reduces the octane rating by as much as 3 octane numbers, which could result in engine problems.

The level at which phase separation can occur is determined by a number of variables, including the amount of ethanol, the composition of the fuel, the temperature of the environment and the presence of contaminants. It is very important (A) that the system is inspected for significant quantities of water in the tank before using gasoline with ethanol and (B) to limit exposure of the fuel tank to excess water. If phase separation has occurred, it is necessary to completely remove all free water from the system and replace the fuel before continuing operation. Otherwise, engine problems could occur.

Is an additive available that can prevent phase separation?

There is no practical additive that can prevent phase separation from occurring. The only practical solution is to keep water from accumulating in the tank in the first place.

Are there any additives that can allow the phase-separated mixture to remix when added to the fuel tank?

No, the only way to avoid further problems is to remove the water, dispose of the depleted fuel, clean the tank and start with a fresh, dry load of fuel.