Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons
| [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119322] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 01:44  |
Richard Brown
Messages: 281
Registered: May 2009
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Just throwing this out in the forum for information. Has anyone ever used Seafoam engine treatment? Someone I used to work with recommends it. They put it in the fuel tanks on stationary gas & diesel engines as a fuel stabilizer and told me that in that instance the fuel still tested good at as much as 2 years. He also said it could be put in the oil as well. If anyone has any experience with it, please let me know. I'd prefer to hear from someone who uses it in an application that is relevant. Can't afford buying "Snake Oil"...
Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
"DILLIGAF"
Lindale, Tx. 75771
903-881-0192
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Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
1174 Hickory Hills Dr.
Murchison, TX. 75778
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119327 is a reply to message #119322] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 06:15  |
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SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
(Rabbit, dermal)
LD50
(Oral, rat)
LC50(4hr)
(Rat, ihl.)
Ingredients
CAS # Wt.%
Pale Oil 64742-54-7 40.00 - 60.00 N/Av >15000 mg/kg >5000 mg/kg
Naphtha 64742-49-0 25.00 - 35.00 N/Av >5000 mg/kg N/Av
IPA 67-63-0 10.00 - 20.00 17000ppm 4720mg/kg 12890mg/kg
| Richard Brown wrote on Sat, 19 March 2011 23:44 |
Just throwing this out in the forum for information. Has anyone ever used Seafoam engine treatment? Someone I used to work with recommends it. They put it in the fuel tanks on stationary gas & diesel engines as a fuel stabilizer and told me that in that instance the fuel still tested good at as much as 2 years. He also said it could be put in the oil as well. If anyone has any experience with it, please let me know. I'd prefer to hear from someone who uses it in an application that is relevant. Can't afford buying "Snake Oil"...
Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
"DILLIGAF"
Lindale, Tx. 75771
903-881-0192
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John Ruff
Chandler, AZ
1975 Eleganza
WA3RIG
If I use ZDDP in a new car - will the tappets go flat?
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119328 is a reply to message #119327] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 07:03 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Richard
I think John just answered your question....I just don't know what he said
! <VBG>
Mike in NS...at the moment
On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 8:15 AM, John Ruff <j_r_ruff@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
> (Rabbit, dermal)
> LD50
> (Oral, rat)
> LC50(4hr)
> (Rat, ihl.)
> Ingredients
> CAS # Wt.%
> Pale Oil 64742-54-7 40.00 - 60.00 N/Av >15000 mg/kg >5000 mg/kg
> Naphtha 64742-49-0 25.00 - 35.00 N/Av >5000 mg/kg N/Av
> IPA 67-63-0 10.00 - 20.00 17000ppm 4720mg/kg 12890mg/kg
>
> Richard Brown wrote on Sat, 19 March 2011 23:44
> > Just throwing this out in the forum for information. Has anyone ever used
> Seafoam engine treatment? Someone I used to work with recommends it. They
> put it in the fuel tanks on stationary gas & diesel engines as a fuel
> stabilizer and told me that in that instance the fuel still tested good at
> as much as 2 years. He also said it could be put in the oil as well. If
> anyone has any experience with it, please let me know. I'd prefer to hear
> from someone who uses it in an application that is relevant. Can't afford
> buying "Snake Oil"...
> >
> > Richard & Carol Brown
> >
> > 1974 Eleganza SE
> >
> > "DILLIGAF"
> >
> > Lindale, Tx. 75771
> >
> > 903-881-0192
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>
> --
> John Ruff
> Noxen, PA
> 1975 Eleganza
> WA3RIG
>
>
> If I use ZDDP in a new car - will the tappets go flat?
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119331 is a reply to message #119322] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 08:35 |
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I'm a believer in the value of a good fuel stabilizer. Modern fuels oxidize much more quickly than they did a few decades ago. I use Sta-bil, available just about everywhere, with good results.
Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119333 is a reply to message #119331] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 09:00 |
JimGunther
Messages: 228
Registered: March 2007
Location: West Haven, CT
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| carguy wrote on Sun, 20 March 2011 09:35 |
I'm a believer in the value of a good fuel stabilizer. Modern fuels oxidize much more quickly than they did a few decades ago. I use Sta-bil, available just about everywhere, with good results.
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I'm a little unclear.
Do you use a fuel stabilizer JUST when you're putting away for the Winter or
Every once-in-a-while as a treat.
Reason for asking: Every spring I seem to suffer from "sticking floats" (and or sticking electric fuel pump) on my little car.
Somebody suggested running a "good dose" of "fuel cleaner" to clean things up. Any suggestions?
Jim Gunther
www.LotusV6.com
now former owner - ;(
73 GMC-II 2600
by Explorer
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119338 is a reply to message #119333] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 10:29 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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| JimGunther wrote on Sun, 20 March 2011 10:00 |
| carguy wrote on Sun, 20 March 2011 09:35 |
I'm a believer in the value of a good fuel stabilizer. Modern fuels oxidize much more quickly than they did a few decades ago. I use Sta-bil, available just about everywhere, with good results.
|
I'm a little unclear.
Do you use a fuel stabilizer JUST when you're putting away for the Winter or
Every once-in-a-while as a treat.
Reason for asking: Every spring I seem to suffer from "sticking floats" (and or sticking electric fuel pump) on my little car.
Somebody suggested running a "good dose" of "fuel cleaner" to clean things up. Any suggestions?
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Jim,
A fuel treatment or cleaner can be used at any time.
A fuel stabilizer is really only for storing fuel. Modern fuels have different oxidation issues than leaded fuel had. Leaded fuel would actually go bad in a sealed container because of the reactivity of the tetra-ethyl lead. Modern fuels have more "light ends" to loose and a sealed container can prevent that. This is just one reason to leave a tank sealed and full or empty. I don't feel like getting into the alcohol issues just now.
A fuel treatment may or may not clear your sticking float problem. The best way to make problems not that not occur is to leave the engine with not gasoline in the carburetor (or as close as you can get). The easy way to do this is to shut off the fuel flow some way and run the engine until it stops. The needle will be open so it can not stick closed, and the float bowl will have so little fuel in it that the remaining can evaporate and leave only a little soluable residue to be removed by the new fuel at restart.
This is easy if there is a place you can clamp off a flexible fuel line. If the engine is all hard line, either break the line open at the pump suction (inlet) or remove it at the carburetor and use a piece of hose to lead the fuel into a waiting gas can.
This is the way I do all the gasoline fueled boat engines that I put to bed every fall. I have found a fuel stabilizer to be of little value over a one winter storage, but for more than that (or if you don't know when it will run next) at stabilizer is cheap insurance.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119339 is a reply to message #119338] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 11:06 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| mcolie wrote on Sun, 20 March 2011 08:29 |
...
A fuel treatment may or may not clear your sticking float problem. The best way to make problems not that not occur is to leave the engine with not gasoline in the carburetor (or as close as you can get). The easy way to do this is to shut off the fuel flow some way and run the engine until it stops. The needle will be open so it can not stick closed, and the float bowl will have so little fuel in it that the remaining can evaporate and leave only a little soluable residue to be removed by the new fuel at restart.
This is easy if there is a place you can clamp off a flexible fuel line. If the engine is all hard line, ...
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I -TRY- to do this with the Onan... -IF- I remember.
I unplug the fuel pump and let it run out. It seems to take a surprisingly log time... but it is running without load. I am thinking of putting a fuel shut-off switch to make this easier... and more likely to happen.
The only thing is, this does leave fuel in the pump, and one of my pumps (on the 6k) doesn't seem to like that.
What I am saying is, it shouldn't be that hard to store just about anything with a electric fuel pump "dry."
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119342 is a reply to message #119322] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 11:33 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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| Richard Brown wrote on Sat, 19 March 2011 23:44 |
Has anyone ever used Seafoam engine treatment? Someone I used to work with recommends it. They put it in the fuel tanks on stationary gas & diesel engines as a fuel stabilizer and told me that in that instance the fuel still tested good at as much as 2 years.
Richard & Carol Brown
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I have used Sea Foam for a couple of years now on my small engines. I have two ATV's which sit more than they run. A good dose of Sea Foam will get them going like purring kittens once it gets into the carbs and does it's thing. It seems to do more than stabilize the fuel, it appears to actually remove gunk in the fuel system.
Of course this is only my observed experience, but I don't toss $8 for a can of stuff that does not seem to work. I have now purchased a lot more than one can,,,,
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119359 is a reply to message #119322] |
Sun, 20 March 2011 16:50 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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I don't know, but there's a ton of funny videos on Youtube under Seafoaming.... as in Seafoaming a Mustang or Seafoaming a Jeep or just about any car you can type in. This is proported to remove carbon, they say, but the EPA would have a field day. Most smoke wins I guess if you don't hydrolock the thing. Maybe the 'pour in the carb airtake cleanse' would be benficial to the Onan as constant speed engine really carbon up. Easier than removing the heads I guess. The old Mechanic in a can usually ends up causing need for a real sort of mechanic I've noticed. Enjoy.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119417 is a reply to message #119322] |
Mon, 21 March 2011 06:44 |
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I use Seafoam to de-carbon an engine. There are two ways I do it.
The first is to pour it directly into a warm engine while it is running. You slowly pour it into the carb just slow enough that it does not stall. The last 1/3 of the can is then poured in quickly to choke the engine. Then I let the engine sit for hours or over night. This procedure is repeated until no black smoke comes out of the engine.
The other way is to make up a gasoline/seafoam mixture in a plastic portable tank that I can switch from the regular gas tank to my portable one. This gives a direct feed of seafoam enriched gas directly into an engine being driven at road speeds.
There are probably as many ways to use seafoam as there is people that buy it.
I do not use it as a stabilizer.
I use Stabil to do that. I fill my tanks with gas and Stabil and then let it sit for up to 7 months and have never had a problem with starting for fuel.
Hope this helps.
John Ruff
Chandler, AZ
1975 Eleganza
WA3RIG
If I use ZDDP in a new car - will the tappets go flat?
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119432 is a reply to message #119340] |
Mon, 21 March 2011 10:47 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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I had an experience with a Honda 250 REBEL motorcycle. When I bought it, the motor ran good after some carborator work. It ran ok for a couple years, considering Winter storage and stored in a cold garage.
When Ethanol gas came into the picture, that process changed almost over night.
It ran ok on Ethanol fuel for the Summer and was stored over Winter. That Summer, it ran bad, worse than bad. I was able to ride it to the bike shop but it would not hold an idle.
When I picked it up, it was running, not as good as I expected but running. The service writer was waiting for me and came out and we discussed the fuel. in part he said....
Ethanol in the gas is a bad bad thing
Ethanol will attack the metal parts of the carborator and promotes corrosion, which is what was wrong with my carb.
Ethanol does not get less dangerous to metal parts when ANY additive is added.
No additive will clean any affects of Ethanol from a carborator or engine.
If an engine is being stored for a short while, drain the carborator and fuel bowl to help eliminate the problem... this will not guarantee you will not have problems from Ethanol but it might lessen them a little bit.
In the long run, after the attack of Ethanol on a carborator, the only fix is a carborator overhaul.
I still have the motorcycle and still battle the Ethanol attacks but I have not found any additive that can help if the problem is caused by Ethanol corrosion.
I have had good luck with additives, SeaFoam included, if the problem is just gunk from gas/oil and such.
Info supplied from the Bike Shop service Mngr
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119557 is a reply to message #119432] |
Tue, 22 March 2011 08:25 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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My father swore by the stuff. When he died, he had cases of the stuff in
his shed.
Cute bike. My wife just bought a 250 rebel. Those things are bullet proof,
or so I thought.
On Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 8:47 AM, Larry <slawrence111@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I had an experience with a Honda 250 REBEL motorcycle. When I bought it,
> the motor ran good after some carborator work. It ran ok for a couple
> years, considering Winter storage and stored in a cold garage.
>
> When Ethanol gas came into the picture, that process changed almost over
> night.
>
> It ran ok on Ethanol fuel for the Summer and was stored over Winter. That
> Summer, it ran bad, worse than bad. I was able to ride it to the bike shop
> but it would not hold an idle.
>
> When I picked it up, it was running, not as good as I expected but running.
> The service writer was waiting for me and came out and we discussed the
> fuel. in part he said....
>
> Ethanol in the gas is a bad bad thing
> Ethanol will attack the metal parts of the carborator and promotes
> corrosion, which is what was wrong with my carb.
> Ethanol does not get less dangerous to metal parts when ANY additive is
> added.
> No additive will clean any affects of Ethanol from a carborator or engine.
> If an engine is being stored for a short while, drain the carborator and
> fuel bowl to help eliminate the problem... this will not guarantee you will
> not have problems from Ethanol but it might lessen them a little bit.
>
>
>
> In the long run, after the attack of Ethanol on a carborator, the only fix
> is a carborator overhaul.
>
> I still have the motorcycle and still battle the Ethanol attacks but I have
> not found any additive that can help if the problem is caused by Ethanol
> corrosion.
>
> I have had good luck with additives, SeaFoam included, if the problem is
> just gunk from gas/oil and such.
>
> Info supplied from the Bike Shop service Mngr
> --
> Gatsbys' CRUISER :d
> 74 GLACIER X, 260
> 455/APC/4 bagg'r(ver3)
> Remflex Manifold gaskets
> _______________________________________________
> Purchased 08-18-04
>
> _
>
>
>
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Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119732 is a reply to message #119557] |
Wed, 23 March 2011 19:32 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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Well I like the Rebel alot. I am a short in stature guy so its low frame lets me get on without having to go to the hospital after hitting the tank.
The reality is, I have had only one problem with the bike since I bought some years ago, and it happened after the Ethanol became part of our fuels.
The Shop told me it is a good bike but parts are not make for it. The up side is most of the parts are from other bikes or can be fitted to work.
As far a getting a new carb, might be a bit of a challange.....
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119733 is a reply to message #119333] |
Wed, 23 March 2011 19:38 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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As far as using fuel stabilizers go, because I have a number of vehicles and they all at one time or another have accrued "sitting" time, I will add stabilizer occasionally to anything that will sit for awhile. The car that is run all the time does not get it because I'd just burn it up.
The snow blower, lawn mower, boat, cycle, my "toy" car and antique pickup get stabilizer quite frequently. As a matter of fact, when I fill the gas can for the snow blower and lawn mower, I add the stabil then. The motor bike gets gas from that can because I keep forgetting to stop at the station, the bike has no gas guage......
IF the GMC sits, as in the Winter, I might throw a gas can or two of the treated gas into the tanks, short drive and then park. It helps. But the only fix for the Ethanol attacks or to prevent them, is to run the engine....
I think you get the idea.
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119767 is a reply to message #119322] |
Thu, 24 March 2011 02:18 |
Richard Brown
Messages: 281
Registered: May 2009
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Just a quick update: I poured 2 cans of Seafoam in the tank after I got it running. I had added 10 gallons of fresh gas and primed the carb with fresh gas to get it to run until the gas in the lines cleared. It ran, but you could still smell the bad gas in the exhaust & the power was down a bit. I put the cans in & ran it for 20 minutes. When the Seafoam hit, it didn't take long for it to start running much smoother. When I shut it down & restarted it the next day, it started right up & ran smoother than it ever has. I'll know more after it's been driven more but as of now it's doing as advertised. I'm not so sure about long-term stabilizing the gas, but I'll probably use both from now on. Hopefully one won't counteract the other.
Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
"DILLIGAF"
Lindale, Tx. 75771
903-881-0192
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Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
1174 Hickory Hills Dr.
Murchison, TX. 75778
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| Re: [GMCnet] Seafoam treatment; Pros & cons [message #119793 is a reply to message #119767] |
Thu, 24 March 2011 11:03 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| Richard Brown wrote on Thu, 24 March 2011 01:18 |
Just a quick update: I poured 2 cans of Seafoam in the tank after I got it running. I had added 10 gallons of fresh gas and primed the carb with fresh gas to get it to run until the gas in the lines cleared. It ran, but you could still smell the bad gas in the exhaust & the power was down a bit. I put the cans in & ran it for 20 minutes. When the Seafoam hit, it didn't take long for it to start running much smoother. When I shut it down & restarted it the next day, it started right up & ran smoother than it ever has. I'll know more after it's been driven more but as of now it's doing as advertised. I'm not so sure about long-term stabilizing the gas, but I'll probably use both from now on. Hopefully one won't counteract the other.
Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
"DILLIGAF"
Lindale, Tx. 75771
903-881-0192
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I'm usually skeptical about additives, but this stuff really is great. It has helped me out with almost any thing that runs on gasoline. I think its name made me even more skeptical at first, but no longer!
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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