Sea Foam or Mercury Product

[Koffi]

It seems that my problems are related to carbon build up. I have used 2 cans of Mercury's Power Tune according to their directions. The mechanic told me to take the plugs out and spray some directly in the cylinders and to leave it for 3-4 days. My question is this: (1) Is there a better way to remove the carbon? and (2) is Sea Foam better than Mercury's product?<br /><br />Thanks for the help.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Sea Foam or Mercury Product

You read the instructions and just squirted some in the cylnders? It dissolves some things at room temperature, but carbon ain't one of them. The motor has to be warm and running. You spray it into the carbs of a running motor until the motor labors and dies, then let it sit for a few hours. That's when that stuff works. The instructions should be on the can. Merely spraying it into the cylinders does next to nothing. 1 can should treat four V-6 motors.<br /><br />There's something really cheap that'll clean the combustion chamber. Water. Good old H2O. Spray a fine mist into the carb(s) as the motor is running at high idle. It steam-cleans the pistons and cylinders. You don't want to spray so much that it kills the motor. For a few minutes. Then fog the motor or just take it for a ride. It won't take long to work the water out, just don't shut it off and let it sit wet.<br /><br />When I buy a used outboard, I do both. In that order. Power Tune loosens things up, water steams it away.

 

[Koffi]

Re: Sea Foam or Mercury Product

WillyBWright,<br />How hot should the motor be when I spray the water? How much danger is there in cracking a piston?<br /><br />Thanks...I've heard of this technique but never tried it.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Sea Foam or Mercury Product

The motor should be warm, not hot. It's more to do with the temperature of combustion than block heat that produces the necessary temperatures.