How do I use Seafom?

[adriandavidpayne]

I've searched and searched, but all I find is just videos of guys running their smokey engines.
I don't know where to put it, how to mix it, external gas tank, how long to run it, where it gets sprayed, etc..

I have a 1989 J150STLCEM Johnson GT150 V6

In the driveway it starts most of the time on the 2nd crank, but if I just go to the lake, under load, it could take 45 minutes to start. Once it starts it's good for the rest of the day. Also, it bogs down when I first try to run it on take off.
I'm guessing the gas hasn't hasn't cycled through properly because once and get in plane position it seems gravity pushes the gas backwards where it should be and it takes off like a rocket. Maybe the carbs are dirty?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[nwcove]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

seafoam is more of a product to clean carbon from your engine, rather than clean the carbs. some say its snake water, but i use it, and it does seem to work as advertized. i like to add about 1/3 of a 500ml can to every 20L of fuel.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

There is a thread in the Top Secret Files, under my signature on how to use it.

That being said, I dont think it will cure your problem. It is a great product for what it does, but it will not magically clean your carb Im sorry to say.

Most cold start issues are operator error. What is your starting procedure step by step? Is the choke plate fully closing?

 

[adriandavidpayne]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

My starting procedure has been widely documented and discussed :O
When I successfully start it in the driveway,
I trim the motor down even with the horizon.
Pump the Ball till hard.
Lift the idle lever.
Turn the key and push it in for 5 seconds.
While holding the key in I crank it. Usually on the second try it fires up.
Now that's in the driveway. Under load, the bendix falls from the flywheel almost immediately but it doesn't fire, sometimes for at least 45 minutes.

Once it starts one time, I'm good for the rest of the day. I have brand new OEM gas lines, new fuel filter, new spark plugs, new rectifier, new primer solenoid, and 3 brand new batteries. Should my spark plug wires need replaced. To me it's always felt like a fuel delivery problem. But what do I know? No one in the thousands of posts I've made can tell me the theory behind why it's 45 to an hour before the thing MAGICALLY starts on the water.

 

[D.spencer]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

The vexing thing about 2 cycle outboard engines is that while you can check and diagnose a lot of measurable things, there are unfortunately some things that are difficult if not near impossible to determine without dissassembly. One of these is primary compression. This is not the compression of a cylinder of only one crank or four cranks as a conventional compression test, but rather in the ability of the crankcase to seal well enough to allow fuel to be drawn into it. This deals with many more facets as reed valves, gaskets, crankshaft top and bottom seals and even rings which may compress fuel mixtures well enough to light off but any loss at the end of the power stroke will cause a loss of primary compression. I would start ( no pun intended) with a inline spark checker I got one from o'reilly) that will let you see if it is a no spark issue or something else issue to begin with.

 

[adriandavidpayne]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

I had the Crankcase sealed in October. It however did not improve things. I will get a spark tester from the auto parts place. I imagine it's self explanatory. Hook a spark plug in and crank?

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

Good explanation D.spencer. When the motor is on the hose and starts up fairly easily it's because with little or no back pressure holding fuel in the cylinders it gets rid of excess fuel and starts. The key here is that it starts on the second attempt after the excess fuel from choking clears out.

When you put it in the water the back pressure from the exhaust being blocked by the water causes fuel to be held in the cylinders. After cranking for 45 minutes the friction from that and the occasional fire has now raised the temp in the cylinders and at some point the over rich mix becomes combustable. The result is that the engine fires but bogs until cylinders come up to full running temps. During each shut down and re-start after that, you're not pushing in the choke, the fuel that was in the cylinder dries up from the engine being at a higher temp and the result is that re-starts are not a problem.

Your problem is excessive fuel during start. This is an indication the the floats are set too high. The floats aren't bad and neither are the float needles. If that was the case fuel would be running out the front of the carbs. You would expect that this condition would be seen as fuel out the front of the carbs but since it vents out further back in the carb throat, it's rarely seen. The result is that it will cause excessive fuel to spill into the crankcase when you squeeze the bulb.

 

[adriandavidpayne]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

Finally a theory of the 45 minute start. Is this thing headed to the shop to have the floats adjusted? Is there another startup procedure I can try to check if it is in fact excessive fuel during start?

 

[nwcove]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

try tilting the motor up some, but not enough to bring the impeller out of the water. use your normal start procedure.

 

[D.spencer]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

Thanks, JLawsen, My theory on the no start was that I was on the other end of things tho' as in there was not enough "suction" from the engine to pull fuel out of the carburetor for it to start. Both theories have merit here ( something to do with the backpressure) and I for one would maybee try to squirt ( CAREFULLY) just a little either in it when in the water. The bad thing is, if it starts, it means a whole slew of things that could be wrong-faulty carburetion, fuel delivery, primary crankcase pressure, etc. If it does not start, either flooding or no sparks. I would be checking sparks at the same time -the inline spark tester will glow when sparks are sent to that cylinder.

 

[adriandavidpayne]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

I went to O'Reily's and got a spark tester. I did diagnose one bad connection in one of the orange wires with a blue cap end coming from the powerpack to some little module that's inline with the spark plug wire. I reseated that blue capped end and the tester light came on.

It started up immediately on the hose today despite that cylinder not firing at first. I'm convinced it's carb related. Stuck float, floats too high, carb gunk, gaskets who knows. I will say, there is some gas on the carburetor, not a lot but it's there.

But can anyone tell me what I can expect to pay to have the carbs rebuilt?

 

[adriandavidpayne]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

Anyone?

 

[halfmoa]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

Your problem is excessive fuel during start.

My 1972 Johnny 65hp will flood and absolutely NOT start if you even look at the warm up lever during a cold start. Maybe change your cold start procedure?

I couldn't tell you how much it costs to rebuild the carbs but there's a link in the "Top Secret" files about how to rebuild them yourself.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

1. Change the plugs.
2. Change the fuel filter--usually under the cowling.
3. Is the fuel line and bulb good?
4. Replace your fuel pump rubber membrane.
5. Pull the carbs, disassemble and clean them with a can of carb cleaner. (A repair manual is priceless for info.) Note how many turns on the adjustments until fully seated--and repeat adjustments during reassembly. No carb kit is usually required on a 2 stroke carb if you're careful with the gaskets.

90/10 gasoline is reeking havoc on old style carbs, as acids are produced when the gasoline breaks down. The acids attack anything rubber. The above steps are very easy for a novice shade tree owner/mechanic, and can be done for approx. $75 in parts. The maintenance can be done in less than 2 hours.

 

[Bretz56]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

My marinas around me quoted me 200 to completely rebuild and "tune" the carbs on my 78 johnson 150

 

[adriandavidpayne]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

If anyone in Nashville likes rebuilding carbs let me know. I'm done with C&O!

 

[adriandavidpayne]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

Any Ideas?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ddSo2iVbU

 

[nwcove]

Re: How do I use Seafom?

looks like your starter is dropping out a bit to soon. have you tried rope starting it? it sounds like its at the brink of starting, then the starter gear drops. jmo edit: just looked again, didnt realize it was a v6! nix the rope start! lol. ( still looks like a starter issue tho)