Seafoam

FJrider1 · Jan 9, 2006

My 86 FJ1200 has been neglected since I got the 03 FJR. Need a carb rebuild, plugs... Bike has been riden, not running well plus smells like a harley, running too rich.

I was thinking of using seafoam https://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUp.htm

maybe getting away without the carb rebuild, anyone use this or B12 (I think it's called)

The guys on the FJ list swear by seafoam...

huron52 · Jan 10, 2006

Never used the stuff my self

...... but the guys from the XS11 list also swear by it!

What is with all that swearing anyhow?

C&C · Jan 10, 2006

Have heard only good things from a couple of car forums I visit. Use as directed, can't hurt, and it's supposed to be excellent for cleaning out stale gas deposits on neglected engines. :thumbup:

radman · Jan 10, 2006

It works well as a maintenance chem, or for mild cleanup jobs. But it is float and seal friendly, and as such can do only so much. For a bike that has long term improper storage issues, such as heavy carb varnishing, only a teardown and the heavy action of a dedicated carb cleaning chemical can bring them back up to par.

OrangevaleFJR · Jan 10, 2006

and your FJ looks great!

FJrider1 · Jan 10, 2006

and your FJ looks great!

Thanks Orangevale! I've had the bike 18 years, 82k (no rebuild!) only one mishap with a tractor trailer blowing a stop sign. I put her down instead of riding straight up into the trailer. Just a few scrapes on both of us...

I know I need a carb rebuild just hoping I don't stop in the middle of it which would mean I'd probably never get to it again. With the weather in the Northeast being in the 50's yesterday and mid 40's today, I'm not sure WHEN I'll stop riding the FJR!

Although I do ride into the 30's.

The difference between the 2 bikes is the FJR is a very technical bike where the FJ is just fun!

Windjammer · Jan 10, 2006

Why do you think you need a carb rebuild? Does the bike start and run up to operating temp? If it does, there's a good chance of avoiding the carb rebuild:

1. Drain the tank.

2. Drain the carbs.

3. Refill the tank and add Seafoam.

4. Start the bike and run it for a bit so it draws fresh fuel through the carbs.

5. Let it sit overnight and take it out the next day for a short ride, see if things clear up.

It's worth a try before tearing the carbs apart. You'll not lose more than the cost of fuel and seafoam to try, at least.

I've used Seafoam for several years. It's not magical, but it has been able to cure rough running due to dirty fuel system on both EFI and carb vehicles I've had. It's also the best fuel preservative I've found. FWIW.

JimV · Jan 11, 2006

I've used Seafoam for several years. It's not magical, but it has been able to cure rough running due to dirty fuel system on both EFI and carb vehicles I've had. It's also the best fuel preservative I've found. FWIW.

+1

The guys on the Kawasaki Vulcan forum sure love the stuff.

Cheers,

Jim

FJrider1 · Jan 11, 2006

Thanks Windjammer!

The bike does run, doesn't hold an idle, I need to keep the revs up just a bit.

runs great on the highway except it seems the fuel gauge is showing a hole in the tank!

I'll definitely give your recommendation a try first plus change the plugs at the same time.

radman · Jan 11, 2006

Inability to hold an idle means a lean or plugged idle circuit. For Seafoam to work, it must be able to reach the affected components. If the circuits plugged, how is this expected to occur? I say again, after using Seafoam for 25 years, knowing and having worked with the inventor personally (Phil Phandry, who has passed), and working on multitudes of skoot carbs, Seafoam has it's limitations, and while it won't hurt to try it, it's not carb repair in a can. Pull the carbs, do a partial teardown, leaving them joined and linkage intact, pull the needles, emul tubes, cold start plungers, bowls of course, idle mix screws (if emissions plugged, some accurate drilling and a small sheet metal screw does the trick), and a can of K&W carb clean will do wonders for the carb functions. Follow up with brake clean through all the passages carb clean was used on, and you have a quick and easy carb clean that solves 99% of running problems I have ever seen, not to mention locates horsepower and rideablility you had forgotten the bike had. Your call.

k:

charismaticmegafauna · Jan 11, 2006

Excellent post, rad -- those w/carb issues would do well to heed the advice given (imho). Altho not a "true believer" myself in wonder/magic chemicals, I'm very aware that there are many who "swear by" their effectiveness. While I continue to be "less than convinced" I do agree that "it probably won't hurt". I'd add to the discussion: if you do want to try the Seafoam thing, don't just ride around locally for a short time; but, ride out a tank of gas (or more) -- in one sitting, if you can. I've often recco'd (in similar situations), "Ride it to Minot -- and don't spare the horses."

FJrider1 · Jan 11, 2006

Thanks Radman and everyone else!

Just trying to prolong the inevitable, after 20 years you would

figure there's some dried up parts in the carbs...

I will try all of the above and post my findings!

Thanks again!

snikr · Jan 11, 2006

I hear Seafoam is good (I've never used it). Nice FJ by the way. It looks NEW.

Tom

Windjammer · Jan 12, 2006

I'd add to the discussion: if you do want to try the Seafoam thing, don't just ride around locally for a short time; but, ride out a tank of gas (or more)

Agreed, but I initially recommended a short, local run because you want to make sure the bike will get you home before heading out on a longer ride with something that runs funny. I've noticed with Seafoam that having it sit in the fuel system for some time can "soak" problems away. So if you add the stuff and just start riding until the tank is empty, you might not allow enough time for the chemical to work. This of course assumes, as rad said, that the chemical can reach the dirty areas. If not, get the wrenches out.

Basically the stuff is an excellent fuel system cleaner and fuel preservative. No more, and no less.

mech 1 twa · Jan 20, 2006

Idle circuit, pilot jets have very small holes. Once varnish gets hard , very hard to remove it.

Yamaha makes or used to make a carb. cleaner that you poured into carb. and let soak for a few hours. Never tried it.

webBikeWorld has a good article about Seafoam. Worked for a bike with dirty carbs.

Good luck.

El Toro · Feb 11, 2009

I know this is an old post. I wanted to make a comment about Seafoam, so I found this thread by googling.

In any event, Seafoam shows up from time to time and is generally strongly recommended by many people.

Curious about what it is, I looked at the MSDS info this evening.

The composition is about half pale oil, about a third naptha (benzine), and about a sixth isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). I'm having a hard time understanding why this should do anything useful as a gasoline additive. It might absorb water, but straight isopropyl alcohol, or even methanol or ethanol have the ability to do that. None of these components have specific detergent qualities. Pale oil is just .... well.... light colored oil, like 3 in 1. What purpose does this serve except to act as a carrier for the naptha and the isopropyl alcohol? Naptha may already be in your gasoline blend. Its just a common hydrocarbon.

Is the effectiveness of Seafoam just another urban myth?

charismaticmegafauna · Feb 11, 2009

El Toro said:
<snip>....Is the effectiveness of Seafoam just another urban myth?

I think so -- that doesn't mean it doesn't work.... :blink:

When a senior lab tech was asked his opinion of automotive additives, he answered: "Does it make you feel good when you pour it in?" "Then it's working."

LAGO RUNNER · Feb 11, 2009

Good stuff. used it in my cars for years. I had over 200k miles on my Tahoe. never had a fuel injection clean, or replace. just used sea foam twice a year...

Knifemaker · Feb 11, 2009

El Toro said:
Is the effectiveness of Seafoam just another urban myth?

No. I don't know why it works either. Granted , it is no miricle worker, but I have used it with success on old lawnmower engines, on a Honda scooter that sat for almost 3 years, and a gas weed trimmer that would not idle.

In all cases the stuff seemed to clear up gunk/crap in the carb, and all motors seemed to run better/smoother after treatment. I would personaly use the stuff before using Sta-Bil , and I do add several shots to the FJR's tank every few fill ups.

This of course is not very scientific , but just my observations. The Honda scooter still needed to have the carb opened up to clear a clogged pilot jet (with a stiff piece of wire...the clog looked to be a mirco chunk of rock) but the other jets and float bowl looked pretty good. From experinance I have seen carbs that sat (with fuel still in them) for 2-3 years , and all of them had some nasty gelled up goo in them. After treating the scooters carb, and only getting it to run for awhile with the throttle cranked open , the seafoam seemed to do a good job of removing any evidence of such nastys when I did open up the carb to take a look.

So I am not really going to question why the stuff seems to work, I'm just glad it does.

KM

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