Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

[CharlesW]

Did a search, must have read 100 posts, still have questions.<br />(1) If Seafoam is a good fuel stabilizer and fuel system cleaner, why do so many of you still use Sta-bil for off season storage?<br />(2) Are there any drawbacks, other than cost, to using Seafoam regularly?<br />(3) Is there any problem using Sta-bil and Seafoam in the same fuel tank? It almost seems like a witch's brew, what with the gas, 2 cycle oil, Sta-bil, and Seafoam.<br /><br />I really like the idea of one product for conditioner and stabilizer, but I also don't want to screw things up by trying to take the easy road. <br /><br />Charles

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

Stabilizer(Stabil) is to keep your fuel fresh over long periods of storage. Seafoam cleans out carbon deposits inside the combustion chamber of your engine. Some say that seafoam or deep crank(Spray) will help keep deposits down in the carbs also, when run or used regularly. When winterizing, add Stabil and run it to get it through the carbs. Use Seafoam<br /> or "Deep Crank" to keep the engine carbon free every so often. Use fogging oil to keep the insides of the engine lubricated during off season storage. I hope that clears it up a bit. There is no one product for all!

 

[DJ]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

I've used both, never had any problems with either.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

Seafoam makes reference to being a fuel stabilizer on their can and on their website.<br />So is their claim incorrect?<br /><br />Charles (Still)

 

[DJ]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

Nope. That's what I almost said. It's on the can.<br /><br />I've used both. No issues with either.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

I'm just funny that way. I like to use specific products that have one intent. Stabil for the fuel, Deep crank to clear out the carbon, fogging oil to lubricate for the layup. I don't know about the Seafoam as a stabilizer, but I have to believe djohns knows what he says. Then again, for years I never used anything and never had a problem. Just put her up for the winter and fired it up in the spring. Little 89' 28 Johnson still running like the day I got her. So who's to say.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

The do it all from one can idea has great appeal for me.<br />Two outboards, one I/O, two motorcycles, one snowblower, a lawnmower, and a couple of weedeaters means I almost have to keep a log to be sure everything is taken care of.<br />With the Seafoam, I can put it in the gas cans and have the cleaning ability all year and still have stabilized fuel for storage. I think I will give it a try in the mower. It's the easiest to clean the carb on if things don't work out. <br /><br />Charles

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

On the "not use anything" subject. I have done that by forgetting the Stabil at times. The carbs have been cleaned on two motorcycles, the snowblower and the lawn mower. Our storage season is about 6 months, summer or winter. With todays gas, it doesn't work for me.<br /><br />Charles

 

[mudcat1]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

I have a 5000watt generator that has only been run for a few min's since new,the booklet said it had been treated with stabil when I got it and when I fueled it added stabil by directions,and now it floods and won't start.I drained the fuel,sprayed it with deep creep and I'm letting it sit.I'll let you know if I have power after the next hurricane comes thru.

 

[gss036]

Re: Seafoam instead of Sta-bil?

Mudcat1, must not be a Honda. At any rate you have a stuck float and need to clean the carb. I use Starbrite fuel stabilizer instead of SeaFoam,at $5 a can, it gets spendy on a 120 gal tank, where a Qt of Starbrite will do the whole tank for $14. I do use SeaFoam for my decarbing of my 200 hp Merc.<br />I just started my Honda generator for the 1st time this year, 3rd pull,(it had Starbrite in it for 12 months) off and running for 3 hours while out of power due to a tree on the lines somewhere near by. No, I don't work for Honda but have 4 pieces of thier equiptment.