| Sea Foam | Rate Topic |
| Moderators: redbaron, MDKramer, Flyone, AZgl1500 | Page: 1 2   |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 02:50 pm | 1st Post |
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Wichita Scorpion Posted this in another thread. I am not trying to start a "peeing contest" But I would like to make sure we are all putting out the correct information. I thank each and every one of you that post here. From reading information posted on this form, I have received valuable help, information and knowledge, that I don't think is available anywhere else, at least not in one place like this forum. I have notice that Randell Washington, Randakks Cycle Shakk, is highly respected by members of this forum. I am sure that all of us want to stay informed on the best way to care for our motorcycles and other vehicles without doing damage to them. I received several eye openers when I took the time it investigate information on Randakks Cycle Shakk website. His Tech Tips pages have a lot of useful information. Pour some Sea Foam into a Styrofoam cup and let it sit while you read information on Randell's website. When I tried it, I placed the Styrofoam cup in a glass container just in case. I don't recommend that you sit it on the kitchen cabinet while you wait to see what happens. As the Sea Foam evaporated, my wife didn't like the smell. Sea Foam is made with extremely high quality oils that are far less corrosive than gasoline and have absolutely no effect on rubbers, plastics, silicones, and other delicate materials. Go to Randakk's Cycle Shakk website http://www.randakks.com/Carb%20Parts.htm and make your own decision about Sea Foam. 1. On the top of his main page, click on Tech Tips 2. On the next page click on Honda GL 1100 Carb Fuel/Tech Tips which will scroll you down the page to another menu. 3. Click on More on Fuel and Fuel Additives-Fear the Corn which will scroll you further down the page. Read about fuel and fuel additives. As you scroll down the page you will see a section: What About Fuel Cleaner Additive Products Below that paragraph: What about Sea Foam? Is it safe? You might want to click on the link, http://www.seafoamsales.com, in Matt Hanson's letter and read more about Sea Foam Products. I will still use the on bike carburetor cleaning method that I listed above on this thread. It works for me. My personal experiance with Sea Foam when "Abused" was damaged carbs. About 2 years ago I rebuilt a set of 78 carbs and had problems with runnability. I was agrivated and dumped a half a can of Sea Foam into a half full gas tank. Needless to say It did not fix my problem and the carbs came back off. Upon disassembly of the carbs I noticed that each of the "Last Chance Filters" plastic screen frames was melted and collapsed on itself. I had added no other treatments than the Sea Foam and can not determine any other cause than the overdose of Sea Foam. That is my personal Experience. This morning I did some research and Sea Foam is 25-35% Naphtha by weight per the MSDS. My experience with Naphtha is that it eats plastics. I sent a Email to the Sea Foam Customer Service asking about what I experienced and am waiting for their reply. I will post it when I receive it. Again I am not trying to pick on anyone but would just like to make sure we all have the facts. If I am wrong then so be it, I am wrong (Been there before  .)
____________________ Whiskerfish 1978/9 Dressed daily rider 45k miles 1975 Nekid Noisy and Nasty 1975 Nekid in pieces parts |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 04:31 pm | 2nd Post |
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Several of the fuel system and oil additives have mineral oil and naptha as main ingredients. I used to have an ingredient list of the more popular ones including MMO which also has naptha. I've used Sea Foam in my 1500 as a preventive, pretty much in the amounts recommended on the can. It hasn't hurt anything so far after three years use of about three cans per year. When I first heard of Sea Foam about three years ago, I soaked some parts from an old 1100 carburetor, the accelerator pump diaphragm, a couple cutoff valves, one set of floats with needle and one of the plastic filters from the needle seat in the stuff. After four days in 100% Sea Foam there didn't seem to be any damage or softening of the parts. I can't say that the stuff won't hurt the carbs but I think it would take a strong concentration and long exposure to do much detrimental to the components. Since I had the test parts in 100% Sea Foam I can't vouch for what a mixture of it and various gasolines with their additives might do.
____________________ If you can't ride, fly or sail it, why bother? 2001 Goldwing 1800 Paul W. |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 04:57 pm | 3rd Post |
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Exavid, When you used it, what if any differences were there in performance. Have you ever had a problem that the sea ofam seemed to help. I have a fluctuating low idle and some people said before tearing into vaccum lines and carb syncs try the sea foam because some claim it helped. Have you any experienced any real benefits that were noticable is basically what i'm asking. Or, do you use it just as a preventitive measure. Wisker, Thanks for all those great links on the subject.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 05:55 pm | 4th Post |
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I'm staying out of this one. It's all been said in the archives.
____________________ Rudy RudysProducts Info: We are back! Production time is currently 1-3 business days for all in-stock items. RudysBackyard.com Info: RudysBackyard.com will cease to exist on 5/30/2012 when the domain name expires. Plastic repairs are almost always unique to the shape, location and problem. If you want useful help deciding on the best approach for a specific repair, please include sharp photos. Without these, it is difficult to advise the best way to make repairs. Dorksider # 1 |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 06:55 pm | 5th Post |
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Rudy, I've hit search on several occassions and came up mediocre, but man the 'sea foam' is an encyclopedia of reading. Whiskerfishes post was still enough of a push for me to dump half of a can in my tank right befor ethe rain started pouring and now I don't want to go out and get drenched, I can just feel the o-ring being gnawed away by my cecision.... . Nothing comes easy for me..... Al.... 
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 07:11 pm | 6th Post |
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I think what folks don't understand is the very solvent properties they are seeking come with consequences....when that stuff breaks up, where do you think it's going? And the whole "If a little bit is good...." thing gets alot of folks, too. If removal of crud is required, so is removal of part. It's the only safe way, otherwise it's a gamble which may be acceptable on the roadside. Between old VW's and old bikes, I've seen enough Seafoam use to have formed my own opinion about it and products like it.
____________________ JOKER Denham Springs, LA '76 GL1000 http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/bayoubikebruiser/76Goldwing/ '05 Suzuki DRZ400SM http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/bayoubikebruiser/ |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 07:50 pm | 7th Post |
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Predator wrote: Exavid, I'm not exavid but I'll drop my 2 cents here. Whether real or perceived, my father-in-law claims he experienced immediate improvement when he added a little to his fuel. Mind you, that's still hearsay. I myself have used seafoam as a preventative maintenance procedure and have not had any problems with it, unlike the troubles I've had with stabil (seafoam can be used as a fuel stabilizer, too). I don't have a before and after to compare performance enhancements gained by using sea foam. Seafoam also says it can dry water out of gas but I've only used Heat for that purpose, once in mass quantities. So, if you use no more than the recommended dosage of seafoam, it shouldn't hurt anything, might even help a little.
____________________ -Joe- 1983 BLACK GL1100 Interstate 1982 Honda Ascot FT500 1979 Honda PA50 Ye Old Unofficial, Unintentional Topic Killa |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 08:00 pm | 8th Post |
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It's interesting that this topic is on here today because I just posted the following on our Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers forum. ok, so I'm a skeptic when it comes to fuel or oil additives. I read a lot on forums and stumbled across a product called SEAFOAM that motorcycle owners raved about. Just prior to getting rid of my Valkyrie it was running rough and idling really rough. I decided to buy a can of Seafoam and give it a try. I desregarded the instructions of the can (because of what others had said) and poured a whole can into a full tank of gas. PRESTO.......within 50 kms the bike was running the way it used to. When I bought my Goldwing it had a slight hesitation when taking off from a stop. I added a full can of Seafoam to a full tank of gas and again within 50 kms the hesitation was gone. So now I'm a believer. From now on I'll add 1/2 can every spring and the remaining 1/2 can in the fall. Seafoam is available at NAPA stores in Canada is costs around $11 per can. I'll include an article below about Seafoam. CAUTION: DO NOT PUT SEAFOAM INTO THE CRANK CASE OF A MOTORCYCLE. Gunk in you crank case protects your seals which helps to avoid leaks. Remove the gunk and you may not like the results!!! Here's the article Seafoam won't hurt your engine. You could run the engine on it instead of gasoline if you wanted. Rather costly fuel though. Seafoam is mostly Naptha, which is a slow evaporating solvent that will dissolve tars, gums, and varnishes that are left behind by old and evaporated gasoline, and then burn it all in combustion. The paraffin oil is in small percentage and its function is to provide some lubrication for any moving parts as the naptha scrubs things squeeky clean. It also helps suspend the disolved guk so it will flow with the gasoline into the combustion chamber. The isopropyl alchohol has the function of absorbing water that has accumulated in the fuel tank or carburetor, and then it will burn in the combustion chamber. The water comes comes from condensation of atmospheric moisture that is in our air. This condensate is what is responsible for the rusting of gas tanks from the inside. Using Seafaom as directed will keep the fuel system working properly for years to come. I use it in all my motorcycles, cars, and other gasoline powered equipment. SOOOOOOOOOOO.......I've been lucky with Seafoam I guess. Greg Last edited on Mon Nov 12th, 2007 08:01 pm by wrongway ____________________ Greg (Wrongway)& wife Bonnie 2006 Titanium Wing with Nav |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 08:09 pm | 9th Post |
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Joker.....your post explains totally where i'm at with any additives that make seafoam claims. That is so well said it should be Archived as the additive explanation. I worked for a company that used to have massive amounts of fuel delivered to our pumps. He was the QC man of the company and said this. Unleaded gas does not gum up a carb no matter how long its left in. Older leaded gas used to have petroleum based additives that would cause this to happen. But then you have a multi million dollar company like Stabil that says it does.....who do you believe. I've never drained a lawnmower, car or bike or added a fuel stabilizer for something that sits for a few months of non use, this is general storage for weather like we have in the US. And I've never had a vehicle not start in the spring. But then again the vehicles are running well when I shut them down and I top of the tank to prevent moisture. Big brother want to sell us everthing they can scare us into buying. I've stored many a vehicle and in the spring threw a triclkle charger on it and the battery worked great all year. Now i know there are situations where a battery freezes and cracks but i'm not talking about that. Common sense has seemed to have gone out the window and more money/more pampering makes everything right..... Where the guy that just stores his bike because its snowing seems to be wrong. Al
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 08:18 pm | 10th Post |
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Whiskerfish stated: Quote, "I sent a Email to the Sea Foam Customer Service asking about what I experienced and am waiting for their reply. I will post it when I receive it." Unquote. I am in agreement with Whiskerfish, we do need correct information. I suggest that everyone wait for his reply from Sea Foam Customer Service. The letter from Sea Foam by Matt Hanson posted on Randakk's Cycle Shackk website pretty well convinced me. My Styrofoam cup here has had Sea Foam in it for two days now and the only thing I see is it is slowly evaporating, no damage to the cup. I do not use any fuel addative all the time. I do add sea Foam, 1 oz per gallon of fuel, as directed on the can, to my vehicles every now and them.
____________________ Wineberry-1989 Goldwing GL 1500 Wineberry/Brown-1983 Goldwing GL 1100A with 1983 Wineberry/Brown-California Sidecar Keith |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 08:34 pm | 11th Post |
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Hi Guys, I'll add my 2 cents here also. I've had rough running carbs ever since I stored my gl1100 for about 8 months.I tried everything short of pulling the carbs,the reason I didn't pull them was because it was running great before I stored it.After trying MMO and it doing nothing for me I just put some seafoam in about 2 weeks ago and have seen a great improvement. The problem I was having was at idle and when I would stop at a light.The idle was rough and at the light it would rev to about 3000rpm's. Since the first can of seafoam my idle is better and it doesn't rev when I stop. Like I said only my 2 cents. Jerry
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 09:13 pm | 12th Post |
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jermar wrote: Hi Guys, Will have to say DITTO on the improvement, did the same this summer and in just a 20 round trip to work and back I had a big improvement on idle and also throttle response at the mid-range. Have also used it in my mowers and snowmobiles with the same results. Last edited on Mon Nov 12th, 2007 09:15 pm by Winger 82 ____________________ Whether there be sunshine or snow, I.ve got toys that go go go ! |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 09:22 pm | 13th Post |
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Ok Here is the response from Sea Foam, First is my email to them then their response: Good Morning I have a question regarding the use of Sea Foam and plastic pieces inside carburetors. Inside the Carbs of a 70's model Goldwing there is a small plastic frame that supports a fine mesh screen. This is basically a last chance filter just above the float valve seats. I experienced what I can only describe as a melt down of that frame after use of Sea Foam. Admittedly I was not measuring it and my dosage may have been as much as twice the recommendation on the can. I am not looking for any compensation or claiming any liability from the Company. I am just curious as to the testing of the product. With a Naphtha as a significant component of Sea Foam has any deterioration of plastics been noted before? Am I correct in assuming that the overdose of Sea Foam is what caused my problem or do I need to look elsewhere?? Thank you Steve Seamans Their Response: Rest assured Sea Foam DID NOT have an affect on any PLASTICS. Our component "residue reliquifier" is derived from the NAPHTHA FAMILY of oil byproducts, but is not the same as is used in industrial solvents, so Sea Foam has NO AFFECT on plastics, rubber, gaskets, o-rings and the like. Most commonly used cleaners similar to "Chevron Techron" are of this type, (more refined than naphtha alone is, and are refined for specific purposes) and are safe and commonly used in some of your every day fuels. Our cleaner is referred to as Naphtha based, but NOT NAPHTHA! Commonly available carb cleaners (spray and liquid) some penetrating oils, and "cure All" fuel system products contain CHEMICALS that will damage and melt plastics of all types. Toluene, zylene, acetone, ketone and benzene and others are examples of these chemicals. Sea Foam contains NO CHEMICALS!!!!!!! Look Elsewhere for the culprit! I have plastics, gaskets, 0-rings, seals and other carb components sitting in gasoline, Gas/ oil mixes and diesel fuels both straight and with Sea Foam that are undamaged after several YEARS of testing! I stand Corrected!!! 
____________________ Whiskerfish 1978/9 Dressed daily rider 45k miles 1975 Nekid Noisy and Nasty 1975 Nekid in pieces parts |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 09:34 pm | 14th Post |
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For what it's worth, try the same styrofoam cup experiement with plain old gasoline. Better yet use two cups, put seafoam in one and gas in the other. The results may surprise you.
____________________ P.G.R. Member ID: 88374 http://www.patriotguard.org Our Soldiers are what make us strong. Without them there would be no USA. |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 01:52 am | 15th Post |
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One thing I noticed after using SeaFoam in a higher than recommended does, probably 1oz in 1 qt. of gas was a greenish film on by floats. It wiped off easily with a dry rag but a film none the less a dry greenish power..the same color of seafoam. I ran the engine with the heavy mixture for a few minutes then shut her down for the night the next morning no improvement..so I pulled the carbs and that's what I found. Maybe if I had run gas after it would have washed it away..don't know. Last edited on Tue Nov 13th, 2007 01:53 am by RB ____________________ 1981 GL1100I Daily rider 1976 GL1000 Sulfur Yellow sold 1979 GL1000 parting out PM if you're looking for something 1975 sold 1978 sold 1981 sold 1982 sold 1982 sold 1983 Apsy sold FAIR WINDS, RB |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 04:26 am | 16th Post |
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I can't say how much improvement Sea Foam will give or if it will result in any benefit. All I am sure of is that it wouldn't hurt the carbs. I use it as a palliative. (I'm gonna teach you mugs English one way or another) Subjectively I felt it smoothed the idle of my 1500 shortly after I purchased the bike but that's anecdotal, not empirical. As for modern gasolines not leaving crud in carburetors, hogwash. I've seen varnish in carbs that was left by modern, or at least gasoline that was only about five years old. The old brown stuff. A thin layer to be sure but it was there. The subject of old gasoline is interesting. I once fueled up one tank of my Super Cub on old WWII gasoline that had been left on a beach about 75 miles South of Point Barrow, AK. That drum had been sealed and left over from some military operation on the coast. The fuel had to have been in the barrel 20-25 years, this was in 1966. It had been subjected to changes in temperatures of over 100F, from -50F to +50F. Anyway I pumped 18 gallons in the right tank and took off on the left tank to see if the old fuel would burn. Once at a reasonably high altitude (500', we didn't waste fuel climbing any more than necessary in those days) I switched to the right tank and lo and behold the stuff burned. I got an rpm drop of about 75rpm but that was all. EGT, CHT and oil temperatures remained the same. It might have been different with a high performance engine, that old Lycoming 320 has a pretty low compression ratio. I flew all the way back home to Kotzebue on that tank with no problem. The whole point being that gas doesn't get all that bad in a year or two.
____________________ If you can't ride, fly or sail it, why bother? 2001 Goldwing 1800 Paul W. |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 10:35 am | 17th Post |
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I pretty much agree with you there Exavid. I have a '72 Impala that sits a lot more than is healthy for a mechanical beast of burden. Just yesterday, I needed to move it to gain access to the back yard. It has not been started since July and I was concerned about the battery being any good. Not only was the battery up to snuff (it took three attempts before it popped off), but it did start and run. I think most of the problems with gasoline is the evaporation which does leave deposits behind. With the Impala, I usually try to top off the tank twice a year.
____________________ ~John |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 11:33 am | 18th Post |
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My 85I had sat for two years with the P/O, maybe even more. It had not even been titled in Florida, still had the Maine registration, no title like down here. As far as modern gas, my nose tells me that it eventually goes bad. If I smell gas, good, if I smell that laquer smell, watch out. After draining the tank and putting good gas in it, I did get it running, but it had it's quirks, rough idling, backfiring, you know the story. Shortly after finding this site, I tried Seafoam. I'm very cautious about something I don't know about, so I followed the directions. I'm a firm believer in it. Now I give it a regular dose every five or six tanks.
____________________ "The Duke of" Earl. PGR member IBA member #32000 |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 11:50 am | 19th Post |
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Hi All, I've used SeaFoam on my 99 SE 1500. When I got the bike it had been sitting for 3 years with 3/4 tank of gas and you could smell that the gas was bad. I could not get the bike to start without starting fluid. And it run like a piece of crap. Would not stay running even with fresh hi-test gas. One tank of SeaFoam (extra strong) and it was a different bike. I believe in SeaFoam and use it in all my bikes and trucks. Hickey 
____________________ 70 Harley, 74 & 77 Suzuki, 86A Goldwing, 99SE Goldwing ALR POST 820 PGR MEMBER |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 11:58 am | 20th Post |
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Something Worth Noting My experience with sea foam has been very good-increased performance-better idle. However Sea Foam will break loose Rust in a metal fuel tank A friend of mine has a '89 wing with a rusty tank--when he used the foam it broke down the rust enough to go thru the filter and clogged both carbs. So check tank for rust before using foam or any other similar product
____________________ Good Friends and Family are like Butt Cheeks-- Crap may seperate them but they always come back together---Member NC-W |
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