Your thoughts on SeaFoam additive

[jimbrizzolara]

I had to cancel Tomahawk due to a positive COVID test. So now I have plenty of time to ponder such things. For years I’ve used Seafoam when bringing an old outboard back to life. My experience has been that the cylinder compression increases an average of seven pounds per cylinder after running SeaFoam mixed with the gas and oil and spraying it directly into the carb throat. I check compression on cold, dry cylinders.
So what do you think? Does the SeaFoam cause the compression increase, or is it just a matter of the piston rings of a motor that hasn’t been run in decades loosening up?

[frankr]

My opinion:  If it does do any good (?), it would be freeing up the rings, as you suggest.

[crosbyman]

some love it           some say hockus pockus stuff…..    my snowblower loved it .

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[boscovius]

I have seen information online that Seafoam was created back in the day as THE fuel additive to use instead of engine oil in your two cycle outboards.  I am very suspicious of that.

[fleetwin]

Well, I’m sure it helps in mild carbon conditions, might help free up lightly stuck rings. But, the way some guys use the stuff, and the claims I’ve heard are way over the top.
You have to be careful using it all the time if you are adding it to the fuel tank, especially on a larger outboard. Depending on the capacity of your fuel tank, this stuff can dilute the fuel to the point of creat a possible lean condition at high RPM. But, I suppose some claim it is some sort of high octane racing fuel as well.

[reivertom]

I use it every year in my lawn equipment and also in outboards. It has saved me more than a couple times when a motor is a bit gunked up from setting for a long while. If I have a carb problem, I just put a good dose in the tank and get it started, and warmed up. Then I let it soak for a while. It has worked for me enough that I always keep a can around.

[elgin2]

I’ve heard it breaks loose a lot of old gunk.

[fleetwin]

I’m sure it does help free up old gunk, or help clean a mildly dirty/gummed carb. But, I don’t think much of anything can break up hardened carbon deposits or really carbon stuck rings..

[fleetwin]

I’m sure it does help free up old gunk, or help clean a mildly dirty/gummed carb. But, I don’t think much of anything can break up hardened carbon deposits or really carbon stuck rings..

[kerry]

Been using it for about 20 years. Cleans out mildly gunked fuel systems. Helps, but does not cure, carbon sticky rings on old barn finds that grew up on 30 weight oil mixed with gas. I add a few ounces to a 5 gallon can of gas that I use for mowers, trimmer, and snowblowers, haven’t had to rebuild a carb yet. I do not know if it affects alcohol in gas or not, but I also haven’t had to replace a bad gas line either. Swear by it, or at it, I don’t care. It works for me, so I will keep using it.

If you have too many, AND not enough, you're a collector.

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