Ethanol gas, Seafoam additive and storage or starting issues.

[sixdogs]

I may have accidentally discovered something using Seafoam additive and ethanol gasoline fuel problems.

First, my farm truck wouldn't stay running this spring-- 1967 F600, 6cyl--despite Stabil in the fall and running it out of fuel. A couple hours effort, fresh fuel and no dice. Anyway, in exasperation I just poured some Seafoam in the carb, closed the choke and came back the next day. It started right up and ran a little rough for a while but I'm good to go. I put a can and a half of Seafoam in the tank and it's off to the races for me. Not perfect yet but almost.


Encouraged by that, I poured some Seafoam in the tank of my weedwacker that wouldn't start right or run right and let it sit overnight. Ran rough the next day but it ran and it's getting better. I put some Seafoam in the tank along with some no-ethanol gas and I think all will be OK.

Probably everyone already knows this but it's news to me and I just wanted to pass it along, just in case.

 

[yomax4]

After reading up on sea foam a few years back I was surprised that it's made up of assorted solvents. i too have left it sit in a few carbs overnight and had some luck. It simply unclogs jets and orifices over time. While I would't use it on every tank, It has helped me straighten motors out in the past. I've had the best luck with it on the smaller 4 cycle engines.

 

[sixdogs]

Well, whatever it is, it works. I think repair shops know this but are reluctant to let it out and damage their business. Seafoam puts the ethanol and varnish issue in a little different light.

 

[robertm]

To prevent this issue from the start, I have the best luck with StarTron Enzyme Stabilizer. Works like magic. Ethanol changes gasoline within 19 days I read. Since I started using StarTron recommended by my dad, I've had no issues. I use gasoline very little, so 5 gallons may sit here for 12 months. Well over a year in a power tool tank. If I use Stabil or Seafoam, the gas smells like turpentine by then. Not with StarTron. My dad has had the same tank of gas in his project Jeep for close to 7 years, and that 350 V-8 starts and runs like a champ every time with the StarTron. One bottle treats like 250 gallons.

 

[mjonesnh]

To prevent this issue from the start, I have the best luck with StarTron Enzyme Stabilizer. Works like magic. Ethanol changes gasoline within 19 days I read. Since I started using StarTron recommended by my dad, I've had no issues. I use gasoline very little, so 5 gallons may sit here for 12 months. Well over a year in a power tool tank. If I use Stabil or Seafoam, the gas smells like turpentine by then. Not with StarTron. My dad has had the same tank of gas in his project Jeep for close to 7 years, and that 350 V-8 starts and runs like a champ every time with the StarTron. One bottle treats like 250 gallons.

Have used StarTron now for 3 years. Zero issues since starting. Before using startron I had to replace fuel lines on regular basis on 2 stroke engines and lawn mowers, fuel lines would turn to mush. no fuel lines replaced since using this additive.

 

[TomSeller]

I haven't tried the direct approach and added it to the carb, but I have added it to the fuel on engines that run a little rough and have had it help over time.

 

[sixdogs]

To prevent this issue from the start, I have the best luck with StarTron Enzyme Stabilizer. Works like magic. Ethanol changes gasoline within 19 days I read. Since I started using StarTron recommended by my dad, I've had no issues. I use gasoline very little, so 5 gallons may sit here for 12 months. Well over a year in a power tool tank. If I use Stabil or Seafoam, the gas smells like turpentine by then. Not with StarTron. My dad has had the same tank of gas in his project Jeep for close to 7 years, and that 350 V-8 starts and runs like a champ every time with the StarTron. One bottle treats like 250 gallons.

Have used StarTron now for 3 years. Zero issues since starting. Before using startron I had to replace fuel lines on regular basis on 2 stroke engines and lawn mowers, fuel lines would turn to mush. no fuel lines replaced since using this additive.

Where do you get this "Star Tron" and does it come in different size containers? Are there different blends or varieties or just one item?

 

[mjonesnh]

Where do you get this "Star Tron" and does it come in different size containers? Are there different blends or varieties or just one item?

Started out buying it at my local Walmart in the boating section near the outboard motor oil. They have 8 ounce bottles of the strong concentration for around $10.00 Treats 128 gallons. Other places have it in bottles that treat 48 gallons for around $6 such as Tractor Supply. Now buying it on ebay in 32 ounce bottles that treats 512 gallons for around $24.00 delivered.

 

[Texasmark]

I too saw Startron in the sporting goods section of WM, both gas and diesel. I was using Sea Foam in my 2 stroker OB and used the diesel ST for my tractors for a brief period. Then it disappeared from WM shelves and I went to Power Services products for my diesels. I too have revived engines with fuel problems with SF without having to do major tear downs. I always have a goodly supply on hand. I believe in ST enzyme ads as enzymes are what needs enzymes to attack in the diesel-water solution in storage tanks.....the algae. I don't know how effective it is with cleaning injectors. Don't know what needs attacking in gas storage.

Sea Foam, to answer that question, is made of Naptha, light Mineral Oil, and Alcohol per the MSDS posted online. The same formula in the 16 oz can is available in the spray can and now they have added a new product to compete with penetrating oils. Haven't looked up the MSDS on it and noticed it's more of a foam rather than a liquid.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I just quit buying E fuel, all the problems went away!

SR

 

[2458n]

E-fuel is the problem. Other problem is no other fuel available near me in southwestern Ohio without the big E.

 

[robertm]

E-fuel is the problem. Other problem is no other fuel available near me in southwestern Ohio without the big E.

Same here. On our recent trip out west, though, I did freak out. I started to fill my 2016 F-150 EcoBoost with REGULAR. I freaked after I noticed 4 gallons were in. I switched to UNLEADED. Then, I realized that with the EPA, the old leaded as we knew it is gone. REGULAR today just does not contain ethanol... thus the $0.50 premium per gallon.

 

[shovelrider]

In all my fuel tanks, either diesel or gas. I add SeaFoam to every other tank, also to all smaller engines(weedwacker,tillers,etc.. In all of my motorcycles i run 91-93 octane, so i don't use in those tanks. I am one of those that don't trust everything i read at the fuel pump, and have and will keep using SF. MMoil and seafoam have always been in my garage as long as i can remember. If you have noticed that SF in a clean jar w/clean gas or D.fuel, it'll turn milky in color. After awhile of using, i do a semi tune-up. Check plugs/filter etc..

 

[sixdogs]

This year I started buying pure gas with no ethanol in my small engines to try to head off some of these issues. I've had it with ethanol gas causing problems. I wish pure gas were easier and cheaper to find.

 

[prs]

It is a sad situation. Pure gasoline SHOULD be LESS expensive than drunken blends, but our goverment sees fit to subsidize the alcohol so that it out competes pure gasoline. It is purely pork barrell politics. We have plenty of petrol reserves and the current situation costs us more in taxes, increases the national deficit, and costs consumers way more in repairs/maintenance. And, guess what? Right now, the US Senate is taking up a senate bill that will relax Reid Vapor regulations on gasoline. Pure gas meets the regs easily, but alcohol can not pass muster in blends. Thus, E10 was given an exemption. Higher levels of alcohol are not exempt. The bill being considered, if passed, will exempt ALL alcohol blends from their polution test standard. Yippiee, if passed your equipment will be subject to even more highly intoxicated fuels. SB-517

 

[TomSeller]

It is a sad situation. Pure gasoline SHOULD be LESS expensive than drunken blends, but our goverment sees fit to subsidize the alcohol so that it out competes pure gasoline. It is purely pork barrell politics. We have plenty of petrol reserves and the current situation costs us more in taxes, increases the national deficit, and costs consumers way more in repairs/maintenance. And, guess what? Right now, the US Senate is taking up a senate bill that will relax Reid Vapor regulations on gasoline. Pure gas meets the regs easily, but alcohol can not pass muster in blends. Thus, E10 was given an exemption. Higher levels of alcohol are not exempt. The bill being considered, if passed, will exempt ALL alcohol blends from their polution test standard. Yippiee, if passed your equipment will be subject to even more highly intoxicated fuels. SB-517

What genius politician is behind that jewel of legislation?

 

[toyotadriver]

I like using ethanol gas. Helps keep the fuel system clean. For those who love Seafoam but hate ethanol...you do realize you're adding alcohol to your gas right?

I run ethanol in everything. Even run it in my boat. I store about 15 gallons of gas all the time and have kept it sealed in cans for up to 2 years at a time. I run it in all my 2 cycle engines....2 chainsaws and 1 weedeater. I had my boat stored since 2015. I had a 6 gallon gas tank with ethanol gas in it from 2015. I recently got the boat out to sell it. Opened that gas tank and the gas smelled just fine. Started up just fine too. I haven't had any of the horrors of ethanol that some claim.

Ethanol gets the blame for every fuel system problem but in doesn't cause the problems it's blamed for.

The secret to keeping fuel from going bad is to store it in well sealed containers. All gasoline, ethanol or not, goes bad. Keep it well sealed and it'll last for years. I know....I've done it many times.

I do like using PRI G as a little extra insurance but have stored it without it and still had no problems.

 

[DFB]

Another firm believer in regular use of Startron. My buds sells it at his motorcycle shop that is where I get it..and I use it in all the gasoline powered equipment I own. My motorcycles, water pump rototiller, chainsaws, line trimmers. I normally don't run it n my daily driver Dodge SUV but maybe I should start!

I never much see the Startron diesel formula though and I just have been using Power Service regular in my tractor for decades.

 

[Ford850]

What genius politician is behind that jewel of legislation?

Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]

NE - The Cornhusker State

 

[DEWFPO]

I use some sort of fuel stabilizer in all my equipment fuel and I NEVER turn the fuel off and run it until it stalls. To me that's asking for trouble. It allows the gaskets/seals to dry out and allows corrosion in place that are normally covered in fuel. Leaving stabilized fuel in the bowl all winter works for me and always has. We get to -20F in the winter sometimes and my equipment always starts 6, 9 - 12 months later and have never had trouble with that. And yes, we are using 10% ethanol fuel. I've used both STABIL and STARTRON and have had good luck with both. On the first use after a long sleep I'll sometimes pour an ounce or two of SEAFOAM or carb cleaner in the fuel tank just for good measure.

That said, if I new I wasn't going to use the equipment for several years, I'd drain the fuel and run it dry.

DEWFPO

DEWF{P