Honda Shadow Forums banner

Maybe using SeaFoam isn't such a good idea

3 reading
15K views 33 replies 22 participants last post by  jer0177  
#1 ·
Ran across this SeaFoam debate on another forum. Bottom line is that SeaFoam will attack o-ring seals and diaphragms. See what you think.

SeaFoam debate at pnwriders.com

sanoke
 
#4 ·
gatorboy89 said:
this could start something big. like, pledge or no pledge big...

i'm convinced, if those pictures were real.
I decided to do my own experiment. I took 4 identical Latril (neoprene) o-rings. Put one in 100% SeaFoam, one in the typical SeaFoam gasoline mix I use, put one in straight gasoline and left one out as a control. I'm going to let them soak for 24 hours and see what happens. I'll post pictures when I'm done.
 
#7 ·
sanoke said:
gatorboy89 said:
this could start something big. like, pledge or no pledge big...

i'm convinced, if those pictures were real.
I decided to do my own experiment. I took 4 identical Latril (neoprene) o-rings. Put one in 100% SeaFoam, one in the typical SeaFoam gasoline mix I use, put one in straight gasoline and left one out as a control. I'm going to let them soak for 24 hours and see what happens. I'll post pictures when I'm done.
Can't wait to hear what you find. I am a big proponent of SeaFoam.

I am naturally skeptic of 'Bubba' but I can't justify it...I could swear my old Shadow ran better after a couple tanks of Seamfoam (well after a couple fresh tanks had made their way thru the bike...)

Keep us posted.

Dan
 
#8 ·
sanoke said:
I'm going to let them soak for 24 hours and see what happens. I'll post pictures when I'm done.
After checking them after 24 hours, may want to do a long term test as well. My experience (whether real or perceived) was that some of my older cars, (from the 1950's and 60's) when left sitting for few months with 10% ethanol blended gasoline had problems with seals as well. Regular gas didn't seem to attack the seals as badly.

It could be the long term effects may be more noticeable. Just a thought. Thanks for doing this and keep us informed.
 
#11 ·
sanoke said:
gatorboy89 said:
this could start something big. like, pledge or no pledge big...

i'm convinced, if those pictures were real.
I decided to do my own experiment. I took 4 identical Latril (neoprene) o-rings. Put one in 100% SeaFoam, one in the typical SeaFoam gasoline mix I use, put one in straight gasoline and left one out as a control. I'm going to let them soak for 24 hours and see what happens. I'll post pictures when I'm done.
Can you buy some gumout WITH Regain? I have been told many times what you state at the beginning of this post, however, my main Audi mechanic switched me over to gumout WITH REGAIN because the REGIAN actually lubricate these parts.
 
#13 ·
I'm also eagerly awaiting Sanoke's results.

I wrote to WebBikeWorld.com and here's the reply I got:

Hi Thomas:
Thanks for visiting webBikeWorld and for your support. I read the thread -- what I think they're forgetting is that Sea Foam is run through the fuel system for a short period of time, and then if it works, the fuel goes through. If Sea Foam was that caustic that it would affect some of the rubber or neoprene, it would never make it to market. Maybe if a piece of rubber was soaked in pure Sea Foam (or any other carb cleaner) for many hours, something might happen, but if in the few seconds that it takes to work, if the rubber or neoprene melts, then the rubber or neoprene was in very bad shape to begin with, and the mechanic should consider themselves lucky that they found out while the bike was in the garage.

Carb cleaners and Sea Foam have been around for decades. If used correctly, they can work. I doubt very much that in the few seconds that they are in contact with any rubber or neoprene parts that anything would happen... Sounds like the folks in that forum need to stop theorizing and get out and ride!

Rick.


-----
Rick Korchak
http://www.webbikeworld.com
A planet full of motorcycles, accessories, clothing, helmets and more!
Member - Motorcycle Industry Council
I'm more inclined to trust their work since they do such a great job and Rick does point out a true fault in their original experiment.

Sanoke, will these results become a part of your photo travels? :lol: :lol:
 
#14 ·
61 said:
Only thing I put in my tank is gasoline, 87 octane, and during the winter months, Stabil...
dwmitchell,
Same Here!
Most of the time when someone resorts to using an additive like SeaFoam; they're experiencing some sort of problem that's causing them to do, or check various other things like:
a) Add Fresh Fuel b) Clean or Install and Gap New Spark Plugs c) Check Battery and Electrical System d) Check or Install New Air Filter e) Add SeaFoam

Then when the thing starts running Better: "Bingo - It Was The SeaFoam"
Had nothing to do with the Fresh Fuel or the Clean Spark Pugs!!!!
Phil
 
#15 ·
I feel like Seafoam or any other fuel additive is meant for occasional use and as directed on the container. Other than that the cure may actually contribute to the problem. This thread reminds me that my boss has been having engine trouble with his bass boat with a 175 horse Optimax Merc. engine. I think he's been in the habit of pouring a can of seafoam in the gas tank on a fairly regular basis....Hmmmm.
 
#16 ·
Well, this is getting real interesting. I just did a preliminary check. It's been 4 hours since I started the soak. The o-ring in the 100% SeaFoam solution has swelled a very small amount but the o-ring in the 100% gasoline solution has swelled far more. I always knew that o-rings swell up when they've been in gasoline. That just seems to make things seal better. But it certainly appears that Bubba had to mix in some gasoline to get the results he did as the SeaFoam by itself doesn't have near the effect. I really wonder now about his test where he used straight gasoline. Certainly doesn't jive with what I'm seeing.
 
#20 ·
Bubbas results just done match what I've seen and experienced using Seafoam. when I bought my ACE, I ran a little seafoam directly into the carbs while running, some in the fuel, and some in the oil. That was it, and the bike ran a lot better. I just pulled out a Mikuni unit that was in an Virago 250 that I'm rebuilding and I used seafoam to soak parts in to remove all that varnish and crud, as well as some b12 Chemtool. So far, everything looks perfect, no swelling or magic tripling of part size.

I dunno, I've used it in 4 different bikes, my buddies dirt bike, Sand Rail, 2 of my old mustangs, my wifes old Benz and current car, none of which had any problems

just my .02

-Johnny
 
#21 ·
a carb mech adviced me to use SeaFoam on my first bike
after 9000 miles it still ran great ( I got rid of it at that point )
when I got my new bike which had sat for alteast a year
I added the proper amount for a few tanks and now it runs great
I also have seen him add it to his own bike

so I for one will continue to use SeaFoam
 
#22 ·
I am an outboard mechanic, and run into a lot gummy carbs, in the springtime. In most cases, (all but the really bad ones) a little Sea Foam will get them running just fine. Been recommending it for years, and I use it in my bikes as well.
I know better than to own a boat. :wink:
 
#24 ·
well now im worried. i'm a newb last winter was my first winter with my bike. around mid- December i filled up the tank and put a little sea foam and stabil in it then ran the bike for awhile let it get in all the lines, topped the tank off and put it away for a few months.


Probably shouldn't have mixed the two and now from what i'm reading now that stuff probably ate away at my o-rings.

like i said i'm a newb and im not confident doing any engine work, i'm learning and i'd like to be there but i'm going very slowly and i dont have any friends that know their stuff. anyways i had the oil changed at the start of the season (from here on in im doing it myself) and the tech assigned to the job who admittedly was somewhat new to motorcycle repair noticed a hesitation in the engine in the low to mid rpm range. It popped a little during idle and popped a lot more and rose and dropped in rpm when he turned the throttle a little. When he cranked it more it seemingly went away, i was worried but i had no extra money so he said i could take the bike and ride it safely.

Anyways i couldnt figure out why it happened i thought i did everything right. So i tried to adjust the air fuel mixture and the problem did go away for the most part, but recently its start to come back and i dont know why. I'm worried i messed something up.
 
#25 ·
Now that I've seen B-12 introduced into the discussion....

I picked up an '87 CRX HF a few years ago that had been sitting for 5+ years (paid a whopping $150 for the car).

Got it home, started going through the carb (and the 19 vacuum hoses that were attached to it), and found solidified 'gunk' in the bottom of the bowl and *all* of the passages.

I let it soak in B12 overnight, and when I went to put gaskets back in, they were very much larger than when I started. I'm not going to say "3x" the size, but they were to big to use. :oops:

I will also admit that I've never tried seafoam in anything - so I'm anxiously awaiting the results of Sanoke's test (because I was going to do the same thing).

(btw - sold the little CRX for a whopping $500 last month!)
 
#26 ·
Deep breaths people :eek: ...

This forum, two Valkyrie forums, and about 6532 others that I am aware of, have constantly espoused the magic elixer that is Seafoam! I personally have used it since day one in about every tenth tank or so without a problem. when you have 8 carbs to deal with (6 on the Valk - 2 on the VStar), keeping them free of "gunkiness" is important.

Anyway, 2 guys we never heard of saying that Seafoam made their seals puffy and into mush compared with hundreds (literally) that have used it and have had no problems whatsoever.

I'll take my chances...