Sea foam for outboards?

MotorMan101

Seaman
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Sep 28, 2022
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Random question has anyone used sea foam or another guess additive in their fuel to keep it stable and to clean motor? I have a Johnson 110 1987... And I was just curious if anyone thought that was a good idea or bad one...
 

topgun3690

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I use Sta-bil 360 Marine.....every time. But I am sure there will be many other opinions about what is best.....kind of like the OIL debate. Lol.1688693364224.png
 
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jimmbo

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Stabil is far better than SeaFoam. Actually, just about anything is better than SeaFoam for Storage, or Engine Cleaning.
 

airshot

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I use both, have for many, many years ...Stabil is primarily a fuel stabilizer for long term storage, but helps thru the season if the boat does not get used often. I use seafoam as an engine cleaner, really helps maintain a smoother idle. Lots of folks call them snake oils and other names but I find them helpfull. In the past I have used seafoam to clean out nasty carbon fouled engines and carbs with great sucess. The stabil also helps keep moisture out of fuels and I use it in all my toys from lawn mowers, Side x side, chain saws, etc, and add some seafoam on ocassuon to keep things clean internally. After over 30 years of using these products, I have never had an issue with my engines starting after setting. My boat starts right up in the spring, and my snoblower starts on first or second pull at the start of winter. By using these products, I keep the fuel tanks full in the off season and the fuel stays fresh with no sign of water. Never in the last 30 years has an engine not started right up instantly and I use E10 in all my engines. Many might not want to spend the few dollars for the additives, but for me...wouldn't be without them !
 

jimmbo

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There far better Snake Oils than SeaFoam for removing Carbon from behind the Piston Rings
 

Crosbyman

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EV Carbon Guard and EV "2+4D stabilizer are good products is use in my ETEC .

Carbon Guard is also included in XD-100 synt. oil by Evinrude but $$$$

and.... Sea foam did wonders on my snowblower kick-ups . and back-fires.
Everybody has an opinion.

look up the utubes on the guy whose life is testing all this stuff..:)
 

kbait

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Non-ethanol fuel. Never a fuel issue. True story, no sh*t
 

tpenfield

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I tend to use SeaFoam if I am trying to de-carb an engine or clean out a carburetor. If you are just going with a gasoline preservative, then the 'Stabil' and similar products are better IMO.

If you are going for engine/fuel system cleaning, then Seafoam or fuel system cleaner are the things to use. My go-to product is 'Mercury PowerTune'. It seems to work better than SeaFoam . . . (probably has more active solvents in it :unsure: )
 

racerone

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Seafoam does a great job of cleaning carburetors and keeping carbon out of the engine !
 

dingbat

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I mix seafoam into the mix for use with golf cart and lawn equipment to help prevent carbon build up but it's way too expense to use as a stabilizer

I try to remember to add Stabil (regular) to the remaining fuel at winter layover but that is 50/50 at best.

Fuel management is your friend. I carry a 1/4 tank (25 gallon) in reserve then add just enough fresh fuel each outing to cover my needs.
 

jimmbo

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PowerTune is much better for Carbon removal than SeaFoam, as is BRPs Engine Clean/Tuner. The really good Stuff was OMCs Engine Cleaner from the 60s and 70s, but it's formulation(I think it was almost straight Carbon Tetrachloride) was pretty Nasty and would burn Eyes for blocks when used, but it really worked at getting the Carbon from behind the rings.
 

jimmbo

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Carbon tet was used in old fire extingishers...dad a fireman always told be it was nasty stuff for lungs to ! Best to keep away from it.
It was also a pretty good Solvent. And, having gotten a few whiffs of it in the 70s...
 

airshot

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There far better Snake Oils than SeaFoam for removing Carbon from behind the Piston Rings
Yes there is if you let it get bad. By keeping up with it by adding a couple oz of seafoam every other tank keeps problems away. At my small boat club/ marina, they only folks that have issues each year, are those that don't use either !! If it works well for 75% of the boat club and the majority of the atv club, must be something to it. However to each there own...I can only say what works best for me for all these years..
 

Crosbyman

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read somewhere SF is about 33% Naphta 33% Kerosene and 33% alcool ...
another mix was 4 parts diesel 2 parts naphta one part ethyl alcool...
 
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jimmbo

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Mostly Naphtha and Kerosene with some very very low Viscosity Oil. I wouldn't use it if I was paid too.
 

dingbat

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Mostly Naphtha and Kerosene with some very very low Viscosity Oil. I wouldn't use it if I was paid too.
Ok then, what is your preferred cleaner and what are the primary components of that product?
 
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