• This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.

Seafoam

Status
Not open for further replies.
I was wondering why there isn't any talk on here about SeaFoam on this site.I use it in my outboard and it does wonders keeping the engine clean(same plugs for 3 years).Seafoam contains 10-15% Isopropyl Alcohol to help remove water from the fuel system,20-30% Naptha for cleaning the fuel system and combustion chamber,and 50-60% Pale oil(mineral oil)to keep things lubed.It also is a fuel stabilizer.
Numerous outboarders swear by this stuff and I see no reason not to use it in a Seadoo.This summer I will be using this stuff,first to clean out everything(1 L seafoam,3 L gas)then at 10% mixture in the fuel with every tank.Let's see what happens.
 
I wouldn't use it the problem is the naptha, it will wash the lubricating oil off the piston, actually I wouldn't use it an any two stroke engine. It would probably be O.K. in a 4-stroke outboard. I and I think most other forum members only use Marine Stabil.

Lou
 
I've been using this stuff in my Merc 115 2 stroke for 10 years and have never had a fuel related problem and the motor runs just as strong as the day it was new.I have seen more posts on this site on fuel related problems than have had hot meals and nobody really had solved the problem except to rebuild.the carbs.I'm going to give it a try no matter what advice I get and I will be checking my compression numbers during the season to see if it helps or hurts.My ski is a 95xp and wasn't very expensive,so if I kill it I might have some parts for sale.
 
The reason for so many fuel related issues on the (SEADOO) forum is, the original grey tempo lines that Seadoo used do not hold up to today's ethanol fuel. They delaminate and have a reaction to the brass fittings that causes this nasty nasty green goo. It stops up the entire fuel system.
 
I've also heard that seafoam and other (canned mechanics) can cause damage to the internal parts in the carbs ex: diaphragms mainly
 
The reason for so many fuel related issues on the (SEADOO) forum is, the original grey tempo lines that Seadoo used do not hold up to today's ethanol fuel. They delaminate and have a reaction to the brass fittings that causes this nasty nasty green goo. It stops up the entire fuel system.
I am aware of the fuel line issue and have replaced all fuel lines as I imagine most others on this site have.I still see a lot of posts on carb issues and am hoping the slow cleaning action helps.
 
I'm not going to argue the point you asked for opinions and I gave you mine. Here's a statement from one of the most trusted members of this forum from 2011, if you ask him today he'll probably give you the same answer.


Dr Honda
Dr Honda is offline
Dr Honda's Avatar

Join Date
Apr 2009
Location
Pittsburgh
Posts
15,613
Watercrafts
'00 Polaris Genesis '96 XP800 '02 Islandia 240 EFI
Thumbs Up
Received: 137
Given: 0


Did you find this post helpful? Yes | No
Default

You guys can do what you want. I can only state the facts, and give my opinion. Remember... there are a lot of products out there that are "Snake oil"... and there is no one to regulate them.

This will be my last words on this......

Think about this......

If that detergent is powerful enough to actually strip the gum, and varnish out of the carbs, without any "Mechanical" help (like a scrub brush, or pressurized air) what do you think it's doing to that thin layer of oil on your cyl walls? Also... what is it doing to the rubber parts in the fuel system?


If you want to run it in a 4-stroke engine... fine. But it will shorten the life of a 2-stroke. (it's not going to be an instant death)

That is all.

Good luck
 
I've been using this stuff in my Merc 115 2 stroke for 10 years and have never had a fuel related problem and the motor runs just as strong as the day it was new.I have seen more posts on this site on fuel related problems than have had hot meals and nobody really had solved the problem except to rebuild.the carbs.I'm going to give it a try no matter what advice I get and I will be checking my compression numbers during the season to see if it helps or hurts.My ski is a 95xp and wasn't very expensive,so if I kill it I might have some parts for sale.

probably 75 - 80 percent of seadoo running issues is fuel problems, and seafoam is like dry gas, seems like a northern issue with fuels, and icing problems in wintertime makes everyone above the mason dixon line want to use dry gas, or a similar product such as seafoam an alcohol base additive cause years ago, and i mean years ago when there was leaded fuels, and poor fuel production, there was moisture issues, nowadays though, there are people like yourself, that want to add stuff into your tank, probably to say that you did, you said you dont have an issue with your seadoo, and you want to add seafoam to your tank ... for what ?? if i lived where you do, i would simply drain your tank when you winterize it, put that fuel in your truck, and put clean fuel in your boats, skis, etc .. probably in june ?? you dont have much time to ride anyways.....
keep in mind though, seadoo engine failures due to a lean seizure are ugly, and what you are doing is leaning out your fuel/air ratio ...
 
I'm sorry if we sound harsh, we just see this question asked and answered 10x times at the beginning of each summer.
 
i have one can of just about everything in my garage, literally, one of everything...

except seafoam.... no sir, no thanks, not this guy.
 
I agree with Spim....(I've seen his garage)

you say you have used it in other 2 strokes....bikes, snowmobiles or what have you and maybe they lasted 250-300 hrs.....maybe they would have lasted 350-400 hrs without the seafoam. There are lots of years experience on this forum just not on Seadoo Rotax motors but others too.

Some people swear by Seafoam but most swear at it.
 
I'm not trying to question anyone's expertise but how can it hurt.Stabil = 95% isopropyl alcohol,Pale oil = mineral oil,Naptha = gasoline.All this is now being used in the machines.
 
The general thought process is, anytime you add anything to the fuel tank of a 2-stroke you reduce the the lubrication as well as potentially wash away the protestant (lubricants) that are needed within the engine.

I know people that have used it in everything they have and swear by it. On the flip side, I know people that used it once and then had an issue..
 
I love seafoam on old carbureted 4 stroke engines. No go in any 2 stroke.
 
You asked for opinions on seafoam, we ALL gave them. What else do you want? Stick to your plan and run the seafoam every tank all summer like you obviously want to do. Post your results after summer
 
Well summer isn't over yet but I would like to post an update to my trial.My 95 xp now flies like a new machine after only a concentrated seafoam treatment.the plug color is perfect,both cylinders are just a bit warm after a long ride and acceleration is almost scary.My boat does 45mph and my son flies by me on the ski.i hope this isn't just temporary because I've been playing with this thing for 2 years to get out it what I expected.I will not be running the Seafoam in the fuel on a regular basis though,maybe a concentrated treatment once or twice a season.But,I have no idea what effect it will have on longevity of the motor,but,I'll be back.
 
A mechanic in a can is no substitute for a good old fashioned carb cleaning. I don't want any new members reading this junk to think "oh I can throw a can of seafoam in and it will fix my crappy running seadoo" because it won't. A 2 strokes fuel system is no place to take short cuts or be a cheapo. Do it once do it right, clean the carbs and enjoy your doo for the season
 
A mechanic in a can is no substitute for a good old fashioned carb cleaning. I don't want any new members reading this junk to think "oh I can throw a can of seafoam in and it will fix my crappy running seadoo" because it won't. A 2 strokes fuel system is no place to take short cuts or be a cheapo. Do it once do it right, clean the carbs and enjoy your doo for the season

I am not trying to be a "cheapo".I have gone through th carbs 3 times,rebuilt one of those times,paying very close attention to not miss anything(admittedly I'm not a seadoo mechanic)New fuel lines,fuel filter,selector valve,different hi and low needle settings and nothing.I have read through this forum for countless hours using advice I have seen and still couldn't the machine dialled in.Excuse me for sharing my experience(not as in expertise,as in what happened).
 
thanks for sharing your experience, and let us know how it goes over the season. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You said you were going to use your ski as a guinea pig. It's not costing any of us anything to learn from your experience.
 
thanks for sharing your experience, and let us know how it goes over the season. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You said you were going to use your ski as a guinea pig. It's not costing any of us anything to learn from your experience.

+1 We may not want to use it, but the forum is open to everyone.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top