Seafoam?

Bcruisin · 09-24-2010, 07:03 PM

Exactly what is sea foam? and when should you use it? and why? I have been reading these posts and understand its a fuel additive /cleaner but what is its purpose some mention of having to use it because of Ethanol.

Bcruisin · 09-24-2010, 07:11 PM

Ok man now I feel stupid i Googled it and found it is a top engine cleaner I have used other brands for years but will have to try this maybe some one else will get some info if any one wants to add there 2 cents worth just google it and all the info is there

Bcruisin · 09-24-2010, 07:13 PM

I would close this post but am not that computer savvy

Easy Rider 2 · 09-24-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bcruisin

just google it and all the info is there

But you have to look a little deeper than the first few entries to get past the marketing hype from "Seafoam" itself.

As an "all purpose" fuel system cleaner and fuel stabilizer, it isn't bad......but is WAY overpriced, in my opinion.

Berryman's B12 Chemtool is a better carb cleaner.
MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil) is a better top cylinder lube.
STABIL is a better fuel stabilizer.

I am a little biased because I don't believe in ANY of the multi-purpose, snake oil gas/oil additives. I think they are all pretty much a waste of money. If you actually have a problem, then you should get a product that targets that specific problem.

If you don't have a problem, trust that the auto/gas/oil engineers have done a good enough job so that you don't NEED any additives on a routine basis.

Stabil during storage is an exception.

louturks · 09-25-2010, 04:58 AM

I have used Stabil and Seafoam. I'm not sure I can tell if one is better then the other, but my bikes runs pretty good with either

67fire · 09-25-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Rider 2

But you have to look a little deeper than the first few entries to get past the marketing hype from "Seafoam" itself.

As an "all purpose" fuel system cleaner and fuel stabilizer, it isn't bad......but is WAY overpriced, in my opinion.

Berryman's B12 Chemtool is a better carb cleaner.
MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil) is a better top cylinder lube.
STABIL is a better fuel stabilizer.

I am a little biased because I don't believe in ANY of the multi-purpose, snake oil gas/oil additives.
I think they are all pretty much a waste of money. If you actually have a problem,
then you should get a product that targets that specific problem.

On these points, I am 100% in agreement.

Eric

Rollbar · 11-21-2010, 12:52 AM

Just don't use it in two-cycle (weed eaters etc). Someone used it in the shop a couple times and couldn't figure out why the W-eaters were burning up. After further review the S-Foam cleaned the cylinder walls and stripped the oil off the wall and they seized up from what the repair shop said. HUmm.

Just my .02

4Raven · 11-21-2010, 06:58 AM

I use it instead of Stabil now. ON my last trip to WV, KY, VA I was running low on fuel, had to stop at this back country station for gas, just knew it was a bad move, but needed gas. So when I made it to the hotel for the night, the next morning I started it up and she backfired and sputtered. I stopped and picked up Seafoam, filled my tank with gas and added a little Seafoam, and within two fill ups she was running much better.

CookinBeans · 11-29-2010, 11:00 PM

I only use Seafoam in my Royal Enfield. About every 3K miles I put a half can in a half tank of gas to de-carbonise the top end. The rest of the time, I use Marvel Mystery Oil to help lube the top end.

The bikes I don't ride often, I use a good dollop of 80% Sta-Bil and 20% Marvel Mystery Oil. (I call it Mar-Bil) Seems to work so far for me.

Figuarus · 05-09-2011, 11:58 AM

as a fuel system cleaner, seafoam works, but not as well as other products out there. to clean the crankcase, it works WONDERS. I used it in my first bike (a cm400t with 13000 miles) and rode for about 400 miles then did an oil change. oil was BLACKER than BLACK, but after changing the filter to a k&n oil filter, and adding fresh valvoline oil, about 2000 miles later, the oil was still relatively clean. so, yeah seafoam works great for cleaning places where oil needs clean passages, oil pumps, galleys, etc. i know from personal experience.

convincer253 · 05-09-2011, 04:55 PM

ive had good luck with seafoam

blueorb · 06-16-2011, 02:20 PM

Is there a specific reason that one would want/need to use something like seafoam?

Floridaboy87 · 03-20-2012, 03:16 AM

I used seafoam in my 91 Honda Nighthawk 250 to clean the carbs a little bit and it seemed to have done a pretty decent job

4Raven · 03-20-2012, 08:01 AM

I take seafoam on my trips or buy it while I am traveling....I have been stranded for hours when you get bad gas and the bike sits overnight in cooler weather...it is easier to use the seafoam. I use it in my jeep too!

OReilly's sometimes has a special buy two get one free or something like that...I have a little supply of it in the garage.

ClassicVW · 03-20-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueorb

Is there a specific reason that one would want/need to use something like seafoam?

Yes. It stabilizes gas for up to two years. Very important if you store or don't ride a bike much. The newest garbage they call gasoline here in the US can turn to varnish in only a few short weeks.

It also is a cleaner. My recently purchased 1978 Honda 400 twin arrived with a hesitation issue as well as a choke issue. Within 1 tank of gas with the Seafoam added, it's a whole lot better, I may be able to avoid a more extensive carb cleaning.

Added to your oil it also cleans the lower end of the engine.

My daughter's Toyota showed a fault code of slightly high CO readings of the exhaust. I dumped a can of Seafoam in the gas tank and the check engine light went out.

ValorSolo · 03-20-2012, 11:37 PM

Lucas is another good product, but it's expensive.
I've always used Lucas in my trucks and cars and Seafoam in my boats.
I will definitely be using Seafoam in my bike.

dave K · 08-13-2012, 09:17 PM

I have been using seasfoam for a number of years and I firmly believe it helps all my engines run better.

Try some of it in your crank case to reduce lifter noises. works great

Blaster00 · 08-13-2012, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave K

I have been using seasfoam for a number of years and I firmly believe it helps all my engines run better.

Try some of it in your crank case to reduce lifter noises. works great

Didn't know u could use it like that! hmm..

Blaster00 · 08-13-2012, 09:35 PM

I have to try seafoam, but it seems like it might be good product.

dave K · 08-13-2012, 09:37 PM

Yup Absolutely!! I operate delivery vehicles for a major auto parts distributor here in Canada. I have "retired" delivery vans with up to450,000 miles and I believe its a direct result of using seaform.

Blaster00 · 08-13-2012, 09:38 PM

If your exhaust pops after letting off throttle does that mean its running lean? recently put some aftermarkets pipes on & it does it. But it was doing it before hand also.

Blaster00 · 08-13-2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave K

Yup Absolutely!! I operate delivery vehicles for a major auto parts distributor here in Canada. I have "retired" delivery vans with up to450,000 miles and I believe its a direct result of using seaform.

WOW! OK. I will defiantly have to try this!
THANKS!

ibcnul8r · 08-30-2012, 04:41 PM

How much seafoam should I use in my gas tank? (it's 3.2 gal). The directions are kind of vague.

And also, how much should you put in your crank case? Won't it thin out the oil?

Thanks.

Ghost Rider · 08-30-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibcnul8r

How much seafoam should I use in my gas tank?

OK, now that everybody else has had their say.............
I have to register a slightly different opinion.

Seafoam was originally formulated as a fuel stabilizer for marine engines.
It's two main ingredients are "petroleum distillates" (kerosene) and naptha (white gas); can't remember the third one at the moment but it is nothing impressive either.

It is a half way decent fuel stabilizer but I think other products are better.
It has some limited cleaning action in the fuel system.....but other products are better.
Although one person who I respect highly also uses it in the oil......I would never do that.....because you dont NEED to.

The company that makes Seafoam is really good at one thing: Marketing.
I suspect that the CAN it comes in costs them more than the ingredients inside, and yet it sells for more than $6.

I think it is largely snake oil......meaning that many of the claims are overblown at the best and outright fabrications at the worst.

An occasional dose of a good carb cleaner is a good idea. Gumout and Berrymans are better solvents for gum and gunk.

I think Stabil is a better stabilizer for storage periods and I think that using good oil and changing it on schedule is ALL you need to do in the crankcase.

Comments are welcome but arguements are not......because it is just an opinion. I have, however, seen tests on "junk yard" carbs and a nickels worth of detergent and water does just about as much good a Seafoam.

Unless you put too much in your oil, it won't hurt anything......except your wallet......but it's likely that it won't really help anything either.

kevinheap · 09-15-2012, 01:35 PM

Would the dialog in the forum apply to a BMW K75S or only to "real" motorcycles.?

Ghost Rider · 09-15-2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinheap

Would the dialog in the forum apply to a BMW K75S or only to "real" motorcycles.?

What ?? Where ?? Who ??

Are you sure you put this in the right thread ??

kevinheap · 09-15-2012, 04:08 PM

No correct forum. I just was curious is there might be some difference in the BMW and someone would say something like: Never use seafoam on a BMW boxer type engine because of this or that.

It would be correct to assume that for the purposes of this post the BMW engines are treated the same as any other engine ie. Japanese or Harley, Ducati, with repect to cleaning of the carbs with the additive and the other treatments described in this post.

I regret my lack of clarity.

Ghost Rider · 09-15-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinheap

Never use seafoam on a BMW boxer type engine because of this or that.

Sure, some BMW snobs that I know probably would say that.

j/k

My bias against SeaFaom, and most other additives, is not engine brand specific. Mixed with the gas in the recommended amount, it should not hurt ANY engine. I would never put it in the OIL of any engine though, mostly because you don't NEED to. If something is wrong, fix it right.

Dodsfall · 10-05-2012, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Rider 2

But you have to look a little deeper than the first few entries to get past the marketing hype from "Seafoam" itself.

As an "all purpose" fuel system cleaner and fuel stabilizer, it isn't bad......but is WAY overpriced, in my opinion.

Berryman's B12 Chemtool is a better carb cleaner.
MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil) is a better top cylinder lube.
STABIL is a better fuel stabilizer.

I am a little biased because I don't believe in ANY of the multi-purpose, snake oil gas/oil additives. I think they are all pretty much a waste of money. If you actually have a problem, then you should get a product that targets that specific problem.

If you don't have a problem, trust that the auto/gas/oil engineers have done a good enough job so that you don't NEED any additives on a routine basis.

Stabil during storage is an exception.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Rider

OK, now that everybody else has had their say.............
I have to register a slightly different opinion.

Seafoam was originally formulated as a fuel stabilizer for marine engines.
It's two main ingredients are "petroleum distillates" (kerosene) and naptha (white gas); can't remember the third one at the moment but it is nothing impressive either.

It is a half way decent fuel stabilizer but I think other products are better.
It has some limited cleaning action in the fuel system.....but other products are better.
Although one person who I respect highly also uses it in the oil......I would never do that.....because you dont NEED to.

The company that makes Seafoam is really good at one thing: Marketing.
I suspect that the CAN it comes in costs them more than the ingredients inside, and yet it sells for more than $6.

I think it is largely snake oil......meaning that many of the claims are overblown at the best and outright fabrications at the worst.

An occasional dose of a good carb cleaner is a good idea. Gumout and Berrymans are better solvents for gum and gunk.

I think Stabil is a better stabilizer for storage periods and I think that using good oil and changing it on schedule is ALL you need to do in the crankcase.

Comments are welcome but arguements are not......because it is just an opinion. I have, however, seen tests on "junk yard" carbs and a nickels worth of detergent and water does just about as much good a Seafoam.

Unless you put too much in your oil, it won't hurt anything......except your wallet......but it's likely that it won't really help anything either.

These posts look pretty similar. Is it just a coincidence?

dropkicknick · 01-19-2013, 01:01 AM

i used it in an old 79 bronco and i heard a pop somewhere in the engine. then i gave it away lol

tribeofjudah · 02-19-2013, 07:46 PM

seafoam works but it is over priced......

Klrlindy63 · 02-19-2013, 09:20 PM

Just started using it in my bike and quad.
the carb on my Quad became gummed up, I was rebuilding the front end and it took me longer than I had hoped because of work and other commitments, consequently it sat too long. Wouldnt run, put in some seafoam (rec amnt) and I could get it started on full choke. It got a little better after half a tank but I decided to pull the carb and clean it. Not sure if time and another tank with seafoam would have done the job, but there was improvement with it in. I had used it previously in my boat and have no complaints.

09-24-2010, 07:03 PM	#1
Bcruisin Verified Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 91	Seafoam? Exactly what is sea foam? and when should you use it? and why? I have been reading these posts and understand its a fuel additive /cleaner but what is its purpose some mention of having to use it because of Ethanol.

03-20-2012, 08:01 AM	#14
4Raven Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,080	I take seafoam on my trips or buy it while I am traveling....I have been stranded for hours when you get bad gas and the bike sits overnight in cooler weather...it is easier to use the seafoam. I use it in my jeep too! OReilly's sometimes has a special buy two get one free or something like that...I have a little supply of it in the garage. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is liable to go to places no one has ever been before. - Albert Einstein

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09-24-2010, 07:11 PM	#2
Bcruisin Verified Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 91	Ok man now I feel stupid i Googled it and found it is a top engine cleaner I have used other brands for years but will have to try this maybe some one else will get some info if any one wants to add there 2 cents worth just google it and all the info is there

09-24-2010, 07:13 PM	#3
Bcruisin Verified Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 91	I would close this post but am not that computer savvy

09-25-2010, 04:58 AM	#5
louturks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: VA Posts: 1,367	I have used Stabil and Seafoam. I'm not sure I can tell if one is better then the other, but my bikes runs pretty good with either

11-21-2010, 12:52 AM	#7
Rollbar Motorcyclist Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nevada Posts: 8	Just don't use it in two-cycle (weed eaters etc). Someone used it in the shop a couple times and couldn't figure out why the W-eaters were burning up. After further review the S-Foam cleaned the cylinder walls and stripped the oil off the wall and they seized up from what the repair shop said. HUmm. Just my .02

11-21-2010, 06:58 AM	#8
4Raven Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,080	I use it instead of Stabil now. ON my last trip to WV, KY, VA I was running low on fuel, had to stop at this back country station for gas, just knew it was a bad move, but needed gas. So when I made it to the hotel for the night, the next morning I started it up and she backfired and sputtered. I stopped and picked up Seafoam, filled my tank with gas and added a little Seafoam, and within two fill ups she was running much better.

11-29-2010, 11:00 PM	#9
CookinBeans Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Asheville Posts: 1,045	I only use Seafoam in my Royal Enfield. About every 3K miles I put a half can in a half tank of gas to de-carbonise the top end. The rest of the time, I use Marvel Mystery Oil to help lube the top end. The bikes I don't ride often, I use a good dollop of 80% Sta-Bil and 20% Marvel Mystery Oil. (I call it Mar-Bil) Seems to work so far for me.

05-09-2011, 11:58 AM	#10
Figuarus Newbie Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 4	as a fuel system cleaner, seafoam works, but not as well as other products out there. to clean the crankcase, it works WONDERS. I used it in my first bike (a cm400t with 13000 miles) and rode for about 400 miles then did an oil change. oil was BLACKER than BLACK, but after changing the filter to a k&n oil filter, and adding fresh valvoline oil, about 2000 miles later, the oil was still relatively clean. so, yeah seafoam works great for cleaning places where oil needs clean passages, oil pumps, galleys, etc. i know from personal experience.

05-09-2011, 04:55 PM	#11
convincer253 Newbie Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 5	ive had good luck with seafoam

06-16-2011, 02:20 PM	#12
blueorb Newbie Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 4	Is there a specific reason that one would want/need to use something like seafoam?

03-20-2012, 03:16 AM	#13
Floridaboy87 Motorcyclist Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: SW Florida Posts: 12	I used seafoam in my 91 Honda Nighthawk 250 to clean the carbs a little bit and it seemed to have done a pretty decent job

03-20-2012, 11:37 PM	#16
ValorSolo Verified Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Dixie County, Florida Posts: 26	Lucas is another good product, but it's expensive. I've always used Lucas in my trucks and cars and Seafoam in my boats. I will definitely be using Seafoam in my bike.

08-13-2012, 09:17 PM	#17
dave K Verified Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 44	I have been using seasfoam for a number of years and I firmly believe it helps all my engines run better. Try some of it in your crank case to reduce lifter noises. works great

08-13-2012, 09:35 PM	#19
Blaster00 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4	I have to try seafoam, but it seems like it might be good product.

08-13-2012, 09:37 PM	#20
dave K Verified Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 44	Yup Absolutely!! I operate delivery vehicles for a major auto parts distributor here in Canada. I have "retired" delivery vans with up to450,000 miles and I believe its a direct result of using seaform.

08-13-2012, 09:38 PM	#21
Blaster00 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4	If your exhaust pops after letting off throttle does that mean its running lean? recently put some aftermarkets pipes on & it does it. But it was doing it before hand also.

08-30-2012, 04:41 PM	#23
ibcnul8r Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 37	How much seafoam should I use in my gas tank? (it's 3.2 gal). The directions are kind of vague. And also, how much should you put in your crank case? Won't it thin out the oil? Thanks.

09-15-2012, 01:35 PM	#25
kevinheap Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 90	Would the dialog in the forum apply to a BMW K75S or only to "real" motorcycles.?

09-15-2012, 04:08 PM	#27
kevinheap Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 90	No correct forum. I just was curious is there might be some difference in the BMW and someone would say something like: Never use seafoam on a BMW boxer type engine because of this or that. It would be correct to assume that for the purposes of this post the BMW engines are treated the same as any other engine ie. Japanese or Harley, Ducati, with repect to cleaning of the carbs with the additive and the other treatments described in this post. I regret my lack of clarity.

01-19-2013, 01:01 AM	#30
dropkicknick Newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: fort lewis Posts: 5	i used it in an old 79 bronco and i heard a pop somewhere in the engine. then i gave it away lol

02-19-2013, 07:46 PM	#31
tribeofjudah Registered Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1	seafoam works but it is over priced......

02-19-2013, 09:20 PM	#32
Klrlindy63 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 967	Just started using it in my bike and quad. the carb on my Quad became gummed up, I was rebuilding the front end and it took me longer than I had hoped because of work and other commitments, consequently it sat too long. Wouldnt run, put in some seafoam (rec amnt) and I could get it started on full choke. It got a little better after half a tank but I decided to pull the carb and clean it. Not sure if time and another tank with seafoam would have done the job, but there was improvement with it in. I had used it previously in my boat and have no complaints.