Seafoam?

Have you guys heard of that miracle fix everything motor treatment called seafoam?

http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

I have used it in my car, no adverse results, might have picked up 2 MPG, not bad I guess. Most everyone says its great stuff, and my local auto shop has trouble keeping it in stock.

Anyway, thinking about using it on the ole Norton, do you guys think it might mess anything up? Planning on letting the engine suck it in through the balance tube on the intake manifold? And putting some in the gas tank, would it ruin my fiberglass tank? Mostly got some carbon buildup on the valves, hopefully might loosen it up and free up anything else?

Good idea or bad idea?

i work at a local volvo dealer, we don't push any snake oils, additives, or products like the seafoam.

one problem with 'breaking up' the carbon deposits on the valves, is carbon is some hard stuff. once it comes off of the valve, where's it going to end up?

personally, i don't advocate any of that stuff. and the 2mpg, all in all, probably a marketing scheme.

I use it, like it. Not snake oil, just a good fuel system cleaner.

if you use a premium fuel, like the chevron or shell premium, it has additives in it that does the same thing. and with the better fuel you will positively get better mileage.

with the exception of a stabilizer, you can buy that separate for storage or simply drain the tank.

That's true; I consider SeaFoam to be much like Techron.

Can't tell you the last time I saw a Chevron or Texaco station around here though. So I do like to run a half can of SeaFoam through each bike at least once or twice a year.

Great for cleaning fouled plugs too! I let 'em soak then brush off with a brass-bristle brush. Now that I have my carbs jetted properly, that's not the everyday thing it used to be but for a while there it was.

oooh, i didn't think about the location. what are the higher end gas stations on the east coast?

To me they're pretty much the same. Hess tends to be cheapest of the majors. There are none of the "top tier" (as far as detergent gasoline goes) petroleum companies around here.

Information about "top tier gasoline" retailers here:

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

of those they list, only Shell has any stations around here.

I would not use this product in a Norton or any British motorcycle. I think there is a real danger in the "add 1/2 pint to the crankcase".

Seafoam is basically a solvent. As mentioned in this thread, it dissolves or breaksdown carbon somehow and where does that stuff go? In a Norton crankshaft there is a sludge trap inthe centre between the big end journals. The now liberated grinding paste is going straight to the left hand conrod and then the residue is going into the scavenge side of the oil pump BEFORE it gets into the oil filter.

In any case, most of the claimed benefits can be had by using good quality fuel, good clean oil, and taking your bike for a damn good thrashing. 50 miles non stop in the upper revs should revitalise man and machine.

I know the 2-stroke scooter crowd loves this stuff, I think it originated with 2-stroke outboard motors.

The guys over on the Suzuki GS forum love the stuff too. They like to run a tankful or two with it added to the gas to "clean the carbs".

Debby

ML said:

taking your bike for a damn good thrashing. 50 miles non stop in the upper revs should revitalise man and machine.

Click to expand...

Over in Ducati-land we call that an Italian Tuneup! :lol:

Debby