Seafoam to the Rescue

g21-30 · February 9th, 2010, 06:21 PM

With the recent snow storm in the Northern Virginia area, there are numerous trees and limbs down in my yard. There is another storm about to hit tonight, so it will be a few days before I can start clearing the downed trees. In the mean time, I broke out my 18" 40 cc Poulan chainsaw and discovered the gas/oil mixture had gummed up the carburetor royally! I don't know why I thought it would start, after sitting unused for over 2 years.

This morning I went to Advance Auto Parts and bought a 16 oz can of Seafoam. After draining the old gas/oil mix, I removed the spark plug and rotated the piston closer to the top of the cylinder and then filled up the chamber with Seafoam and reinstalled the spark plug. I then poured some into the each inlet (choke and throttle) opening and the remainder filled up the tank. Using the primer bulb, I then pumped the Seafoam into the carb.

After letting the Seafoam sit for a couple of hours, I emptied the tank back into the original container. The liquid was still very clear. I then emptied the carburetor into another container. Wow, was it filthy. Removed the spark plug and rotated the engine via the starter rope for a few turns and poured the remaining cleaner into the carb container.

Next up, pour a little fresh gas/oil mix directly into the cylinder and rotate the engine a few turns. Filled up the tank, primed the engine and installed a new spark plug. Tried to start it up, but it just coughed a few times with some smoke waffling from the exhaust. Took a few minutes break and tried again. Some more coughing, but not starting. Decided it was probably flooded, so let it sit for an hour or so.

Finally, when I went out the last time, I did not choke it at all. Pulled the starter rope about 5 times and bingo...IT STARTED!

So for $10 (16 oz Seafoam), I saved the price of a new carb ($30). So, you see, I too am now a believer in the magic of Seafoam.

Alex · February 9th, 2010, 07:38 PM

Snake · February 9th, 2010, 07:42 PM

Great review! Ever since a mechanic friend told me about it I have sworn by it. Good stuff.

mrlmd · February 9th, 2010, 08:38 PM

Some people on other sites like Berrymans B12 better, and it's cheaper, $3.99. Like I said on here before, on another thread, do not spill that stuff on your paint because if it sits there for a short while, it may take the paint off.
It's a good maintenance idea to put 1 ounce/gal of gas (recommended dose) in the tank every 3 or 4 fill ups and your carbs will stay nice and clean.

Shano22 · February 9th, 2010, 11:20 PM

if it ever doesnt start again keep pullin it and tryin to start it. A 2 stroke engine won't flood. It takes a pretty good while for them to warm up also

MKlein3004 · February 10th, 2010, 10:40 PM

man i love seafoam, use it on the bike and the car, stuff is amazing.

kkim · February 11th, 2010, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shano22

A 2 stroke engine won't flood.

any engine can flood.

CZroe · March 4th, 2010, 08:38 PM

I bought a can today and struggled to open it. I kept pulling on the little ring and realized that I was going to have to pull so hard that it may get all over me if I'm not careful. Sure enough, the plug was almost ready to pop inside-out before the ring thing came out and it got all over my sister's car instead.

I had to run and grab a pitcher of water and some soap with towels to take care of it right away.

Anyway, I threw four fluid ounces in my full tank and I'm going to ride it out before I get it serviced. Hopefully the gassy exhaust smell and poor running will go away.

February 9th, 2010, 06:21 PM	#1
g21-30 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sam Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.	Seafoam to the Rescue With the recent snow storm in the Northern Virginia area, there are numerous trees and limbs down in my yard. There is another storm about to hit tonight, so it will be a few days before I can start clearing the downed trees. In the mean time, I broke out my 18" 40 cc Poulan chainsaw and discovered the gas/oil mixture had gummed up the carburetor royally! I don't know why I thought it would start, after sitting unused for over 2 years. This morning I went to Advance Auto Parts and bought a 16 oz can of Seafoam. After draining the old gas/oil mix, I removed the spark plug and rotated the piston closer to the top of the cylinder and then filled up the chamber with Seafoam and reinstalled the spark plug. I then poured some into the each inlet (choke and throttle) opening and the remainder filled up the tank. Using the primer bulb, I then pumped the Seafoam into the carb. After letting the Seafoam sit for a couple of hours, I emptied the tank back into the original container. The liquid was still very clear. I then emptied the carburetor into another container. Wow, was it filthy. Removed the spark plug and rotated the engine via the starter rope for a few turns and poured the remaining cleaner into the carb container. Next up, pour a little fresh gas/oil mix directly into the cylinder and rotate the engine a few turns. Filled up the tank, primed the engine and installed a new spark plug. Tried to start it up, but it just coughed a few times with some smoke waffling from the exhaust. Took a few minutes break and tried again. Some more coughing, but not starting. Decided it was probably flooded, so let it sit for an hour or so. Finally, when I went out the last time, I did not choke it at all. Pulled the starter rope about 5 times and bingo...IT STARTED! So for $10 (16 oz Seafoam), I saved the price of a new carb ($30). So, you see, I too am now a believer in the magic of Seafoam.

February 9th, 2010, 07:38 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	__________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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February 9th, 2010, 07:42 PM	#3
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Great review! Ever since a mechanic friend told me about it I have sworn by it. Good stuff.

February 9th, 2010, 08:38 PM	#4
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Some people on other sites like Berrymans B12 better, and it's cheaper, $3.99. Like I said on here before, on another thread, do not spill that stuff on your paint because if it sits there for a short while, it may take the paint off. It's a good maintenance idea to put 1 ounce/gal of gas (recommended dose) in the tank every 3 or 4 fill ups and your carbs will stay nice and clean.

February 9th, 2010, 11:20 PM	#5
Shano22 ninjette.org member Name: Shane Location: Pittsburgh Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawi Ninja 250, 2004 Honda CBR600 F4I, 1999 Yamaha TTR225(dirtbike) Posts: 103	if it ever doesnt start again keep pullin it and tryin to start it. A 2 stroke engine won't flood. It takes a pretty good while for them to warm up also

February 10th, 2010, 10:40 PM	#6
MKlein3004 Fighting Texas Aggie '08 Name: Mitchell Location: Allen, Tx Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r (Race), 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 (Track), 2005 Ducati Monster 620 (Street) Posts: 541	man i love seafoam, use it on the bike and the car, stuff is amazing.

March 4th, 2010, 08:38 PM	#8
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I bought a can today and struggled to open it. I kept pulling on the little ring and realized that I was going to have to pull so hard that it may get all over me if I'm not careful. Sure enough, the plug was almost ready to pop inside-out before the ring thing came out and it got all over my sister's car instead. I had to run and grab a pitcher of water and some soap with towels to take care of it right away. Anyway, I threw four fluid ounces in my full tank and I'm going to ride it out before I get it serviced. Hopefully the gassy exhaust smell and poor running will go away.