Topic: Fuel addatives..

[toycollector10]

I couldn't find anything in the FAQ's so here goes. I always put a thimble-full of two-stroke oil in a full gas tank, a previous poster said this would line the pipes with oil and prevent rust. I'm guessing it also lubricates the intake valve stems, (as per HondaMans post on Acetone) and the slides etc.

What about addatives that "clean your carburetors, removed deposits and improve running" etc?  Any good?

I am also using a product called 'Valvmaster' which apparently lubricates the valve seats, a job previously done by lead which has now been removed from fuel. Funnily enough the product is simply kerosene or some variant of kerosene.  Any comments?

Thanks, TC

[Jim Shea]

I have wondered how an engine that used to run on leaded, works OK wiith unleaded? or would a po have to have done something?
I had a Mini that had not been touched and was advised only to run it on leaded!

[Bob Wessner]

I have wondered how an engine that used to run on leaded, works OK wiith unleaded?

This has come up several times. Actually, the old Hondas are fine with unleaded fuel. The valves/seats are hardened, Stellite I believe it is called. Try a search, should find lots on this.

[Gordon]

Honda foresaw the coming of unleaded fuel, so they made all the sohc4's compatible with it. 

[Jim Shea]

Thanks. It's a shame British Leyland didn't do the same with the Mini??

[cb650]

Most all alum heads have hardened seats.   



            Terry

[jaknight]

Hey toycollector10,

   In my particular case, I have found that the best gas additive for me has been a product called SeaFoam.  It is used considerably by marine boats and any gasoline engine users for removing and preventing rust.  When poured straight into the gas tank, it will clean fuel injectors and carb fuel jets, removes all moisture.  You can put it in your crankcase oil and it will clean dirty parts and increases RPM vacuum and compression.

   I don't know if it is available in your area, but it is well worth searching for.  It has been made since the late 1940s.  It Removed rust from my gas tank with the first use, and has kept it clean since then.  It comes in a 16oz. can and you use like about 3 to 4 ounces on first application, but you can go up to 8 oz. on first application if you want to.  It has beat anything else I have ever tried.

   ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[dusterdude]

Hey toycollector10,

   In my particular case, I have found that the best gas additive for me has been a product called SeaFoam.  It is used considerably by marine boats and any gasoline engine users for removing and preventing rust.  When poured straight into the gas tank, it will clean fuel injectors and carb fuel jets, removes all moisture.  You can put it in your crankcase oil and it will clean dirty parts and increases RPM vacuum and compression.

   I don't know if it is available in your area, but it is well worth searching for.  It has been made since the late 1940s.  It Removed rust from my gas tank with the first use, and has kept it clean since then.  It comes in a 16oz. can and you use like about 3 to 4 ounces on first application, but you can go up to 8 oz. on first application if you want to.  It has beat anything else I have ever tried.

   ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

good stuff

[cb650]

Sea foam is at yami dealers right?



           Terry

[Gordon]

Sea foam is at yami dealers right?



           Terry

Pep Boys and AutoZone usually has it.

[eldar]

Another vote for seafoam. You will not likely find it at many dealers however. They want you to buy the expensive stuff that does not work any better.

[mrbreeze]

I got mine at Napa...about $7 a can.Good stuff.

[DrMark]

SeaFoam has my vote. Many uses in fuel and oil. Found at Blaines Farm & Fleet here in the midwest region of the USA. Used by lots of farmers. Usually on sale for $5.50 a can

[csendker]

SeaFoam, elixir of the gods.  I'm on my second tank with it, and either she really likes to run in 40 degree weather or this stuff works.

[toycollector10]

Thanks guys, I couldn't find any SeaFoam so brought some Fuel-Up, which claimed to do pretty much the same. I know my bike doesn't smoke because I have followed a friend who was riding it and giving it hell. But after adding the Fuel-Up I was told it had a lot of black smoke comming out (not blue-black) under hard acceleration. My best guess is that the product is clearing a lot of crap out of the combustion chamber. Well, I hope thats what is happening.   

[Jim Shea]

I wonder! let us know how it goes?

[toycollector10]

Will do Jim, "stand by your bed"..As we used to be told  in the Air Force..i.e stand-by

[scott_cb650]

Go here to find a dealer near you: http://www.seafoamsales.com/buy.htm

[TwoTired]

I have followed a friend who was riding it and giving it hell. But after adding the Fuel-Up I was told it had a lot of black smoke comming out (not blue-black) under hard acceleration. My best guess is that the product is clearing a lot of crap out of the combustion chamber. Well, I hope thats what is happening.   

Black smoke from internal combustion engine exhaust is often referred to as "Unburned Hydrocarbons".  When these are found in the air we breathe, it's called pollution.

Pollution was a Hot Topic in the '70s and '80s.  I remember the air in the Los Angeles basin being referred to as "Chewy".  Then the environazis gained power and...

Well, now we can't buy new bikes like the SOHC4s.  But, somehow Harley survives.   Are these immune to pollution control?

This message brought to you by...  Scrambled Ramble Productions, Inc. 

Cheers,

[GroovieGhoulie]

How will running a rich mix or seafoam affect the engine? I'ved used it, but in the prescribed 1 ounce per gallon of fuel.  I see posts here that talk about using half a can per tank and that's around twice the recommended "dose".  I figure it'll clean better, but does it affect the engine negatively?

[GroovieGhoulie]

Well, now we can't buy new bikes like the SOHC4s.  But, somehow Harley survives.   Are these immune to pollution control?

Good question...

[eldar]

Well a can is 16 oz. and the average 750 tank is 5 - 6 gallons. So a half can is only a little stronger than 1oz per gallon. Not much of a big deal really since we have no o2 sensors or any electronic crap to mess up.

[Bodi]

I like to add a shot of Castrol R to the tank. I don't think it does any good or bad, I just love the smell of the exhaust.

[swamprat]

There is an excellent article on fuel and oil additives in the Dec/Jan '06 issue of RoadBike.  Pretty much says all are "Snake Oil".

[eldar]

Problem with alot of those articles is that it is onlly short-term testing done with meticulosly maintained bikes.
Seafoam has been around for years and tested by many here on this site alone. ALways with good results. We are garage mechanics who, in many cases, are smarter and know more about bikes than the editors of these magazines.

While some are most certainly bad products or do nothing, there are a lot that are actually very good. I have even used seafoam in new vehicles and it in almost every case has helped increase gas mileage for a few tanks of gas. Power is also increased in some cases.

If there is a question about a product, never listen to a magazine that barely tests anything. Listen to the actual hands-on people that have used things a long time, you will almost never be steered wrong.