Sea Foam

[K man]

Hi all, has anyone here ever used Sea Foam in the diesel fuel for your Kioti if so what are advantages or disadvantages of using this product. I was told by NAPA salesman that it is good as a fuel stabilizer for my Ethanol gas motor on my lawn tractor for when I am ready to store it for the Winter. The can says good for all gas and diesel engines. Any comments would be appreciated.
Gilles

 

[murphy1244]

Here is some reading for you Kman http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/155969-seafoam.html

 

[K man]

After reading those threads and they are old back 2009 but most poster are happy with the product. I guess it can't hurt to try it. I will wait and see if any more members here have tried it.

 

[cat fever]

I work with a few Ford and Chevy mechanics; they all swear by Sea Foam. I have not used it in any diesel motors but have used it in all my gas engines. Have not had any problems to report.

 

[K man]

Thanks, I have bought a bottle of it and poured 1 oz to every gallon of gas in my mower, car and my diesel tractor. This stuff is suppose to stabilize, clean injectors, jets etc.

 

[airbiscuit]

I use Sea Foam in the (non-ethanol) gas for all my small engines and swear by it. Here is what I use in my diesel fuel ...

 

[ray66v]

I love Sea Foam in gas engines.

As long as your product has been specifically formulated for use in ultra low sulfur diesel, it probably won't hurt.

If it hasn't, it can among other things, lower the lubricity of the fuel. Although, it probably won't be enough to matter.

Many additives tested, actually did hurt ULSD fuel. They have in all likelihood, been reformulated.

Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

 

[woody]

not a diesel but my experience with sea foam, after reading how it helped so many gas engines one day the wife and I purchased a used Yamaha Venture that had set up for a spell. we filled the tank and took off about 80 miles into our trip the engine started to miss and I decided to do a tune up first chance I got but about 15 miles from home I stopped by a NAPA store and bought a bottle of seafoam, poured about half of that in the tank probably had about 3 gallons of fuel in it and drove it like I stole it about a mile from the house I stopped and gas it up but noticed on the way to the house it wasn't skipping any more. so if everything is running good it gets the recommended amount if not I overdose it for a little while and any new purchase gets a little.

 

[RandyT]

I dump a can in my DK45S every winter. I seems to make it starts easier, but that may be just my opinion. And to the person that mentioned the lube effect. It is actually a highly refined oil base, and is used as an upper cylinder lube, so should be fine in ULSD engines.

It is suppose to act as a injector cleaner, antigel, and upper cylinder lube. May or may not be true but anyway.

 

[ray66v]

And to the person that mentioned the lube effect. It is actually a highly refined oil base, and is used as an upper cylinder lube, so should be fine in ULSD engines.

It is suppose to act as a injector cleaner, antigel, and upper cylinder lube. May or may not be true but anyway.

Sea Foam is "supposed" to do all kinds of things. So are a bunch of the additives in the study, that actually lowered the lubricity of ULSD in the tests.

Don't think you can lower lubricity, by adding oil? Read the study. You can.

When you mix different chemicals together, you can get interactions you don't expect.

As I said, don't just assume you will be fine. Make sure the can you have, says it's compatible. Even some products that are compatible now, may not have been when you bought it.

 

[DieselBound]

I would NOT use SeaFoam in any of my diesels: I hang out on top VW TDI forums and folks there unanimously say to NOT use it.

It's not clear what problems you're looking to avoid. Generally one only needs to be concerned with gelling (if operating in cold regions; in areas that offer timely switch-over to #1 diesel this "should' be sufficient in dealing with gelling). Cetane boosters are, IMO, a waste of money: most people don't know what their pump diesel's cetane rating is- why add something if you don't know you need it? adding more cetane doesn't mean "better." Aside from gelling issues, additives targeting lubricity are somewhat non-snake oil; however, manufacturers have already addressed issues of ULSD; folks with older diesels are likely to experience more benefit here (assuming, of course, that what's in the particular additive is proven safe with the fuel that one uses and is in fact effective in the engine that one is being served).

For more on diesel fuels:

http://www.chevronwithtechron.ca/products/documents/Diesel_Fuel_Tech_Review.pdf

 

[cat fever]

I would NOT use SeaFoam in any of my diesels: I hang out on top VW TDI forums and folks there unanimously say to NOT use it.

It's not clear what problems you're looking to avoid. Generally one only needs to be concerned with gelling (if operating in cold regions; in areas that offer timely switch-over to #1 diesel this "should' be sufficient in dealing with gelling). Cetane boosters are, IMO, a waste of money: most people don't know what their pump diesel's cetane rating is- why add something if you don't know you need it? adding more cetane doesn't mean "better." Aside from gelling issues, additives targeting lubricity are somewhat non-snake oil; however, manufacturers have already addressed issues of ULSD; folks with older diesels are likely to experience more benefit here (assuming, of course, that what's in the particular additive is proven safe with the fuel that one uses and is in fact effective in the engine that one is being served).

For more on diesel fuels:

http://www.chevronwithtechron.ca/products/documents/Diesel_Fuel_Tech_Review.pdf

I would add on the Cetane issue, minimum spec is 40. The refinery I work at typically runs with about 50-55 Cetane. Well above the min spec. The process of distillation is not much different at other plants. So short story here, if you are using an additive for Cetane help; it's not needed.

 

[RandyT]

Sea Foam is "supposed" to do all kinds of things. So are a bunch of the additives in the study, that actually lowered the lubricity of ULSD in the tests.

Don't think you can lower lubricity, by adding oil? Read the study. You can.

When you mix different chemicals together, you can get interactions you don't expect.

As I said, don't just assume you will be fine. Make sure the can you have, says it's compatible. Even some products that are compatible now, may not have been when you bought it.

They changed the formula about 5 years ago and doesn't seem to work as well as it used to. Part of the reason small engine shops have moved on to newer treatments like startron, and the b3c products like ethanol shield and mechanic in a bottle type stuff.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have used Seafoam to try and clean up a carb on occasion but without much success.

I have had good luck using Stabil additive to prevent the gumming de-stabilization of gasoline when in long term storage. I forgot to put it in my riding lawn mower tank one fall and the gas was so deteriorated in the spring that it wouldn't even burn when a match was put to it (small amount poured out on the ground). I had to get my propane torch to heat it enough to get it started and then it smoked like I was burning an old tire. Since then, I have used Stabil double dose each fall when I put away my lawnmowers and they all crank fine in the spring.

 

[ray66v]

I have used Seafoam to try and clean up a carb on occasion but without much success.

I have had good luck using Stabil additive to prevent the gumming de-stabilization of gasoline when in long term storage. I forgot to put it in my riding lawn mower tank one fall and the gas was so deteriorated in the spring that it wouldn't even burn when a match was put to it (small amount poured out on the ground). I had to get my propane torch to heat it enough to get it started and then it smoked like I was burning an old tire. Since then, I have used Stabil double dose each fall when I put away my lawnmowers and they all crank fine in the spring.

I have seen Sea Foam, clear up some serious issues in gas engines.

Rather than rely on anything to protect me all winter in an engine, as far as fuel stabilizer goes, I just run everything out of fuel. Either by draining it, or shut off valve, or simply pinching the hose with a clamp until it stops running, and cranking it until it stops firing.

That has worked every time.

 

[von-mil]

For what it's worth ...

I see that they changed some of the wording on their newer containers, most noticeable is the phrase "INSTANT ACTION" is now "QUICK ACTION".

Older can is on the left in these photos.

 

[two_bit_score]

I have used Seafoam to try and clean up a carb on occasion but without much success.

I have had good luck using Stabil additive to prevent the gumming de-stabilization of gasoline when in long term storage. I forgot to put it in my riding lawn mower tank one fall and the gas was so deteriorated in the spring that it wouldn't even burn when a match was put to it (small amount poured out on the ground). I had to get my propane torch to heat it enough to get it started and then it smoked like I was burning an old tire. Since then, I have used Stabil double dose each fall when I put away my lawnmowers and they all crank fine in the spring.

Sea-foam seems to help but I haven't found it to be the miracle cure that some seem to have experienced it to be.

TBS

 

[two_bit_score]

I also see on the can pictured above they have changedthe wording from "helps pass emission tests" to "reduces emissions".


TBS

 

[ritcheyvs]

I never used Sea Foam in Diesels but I do use a biocide, typically Biobor, to prevent microbe growth at the fuel-water boundary and I use Diesel Purge if I suspect injection issues. The biocide is most important if old fuel doesn't get used up, like tractors off season. The Diesel Purge works best full strength (like filling the fuel filter with if when replacing the filter) but my Kioti hasn't needed that treatment.

 

[mj007]

I've used Schaffer Oil's Nuetra for some years now.........seems to work.