where to buy seafoam and compression gauge?

[whosmatt]

i want to check out and tune up my motor, i don't want to run all over town looking for what i need. anybody have good recommendation for where to buy? have all the chain auto parts stores around here, as well as boater's world and west marine. something inexpensive would be good. i don't want to spend too much money on a tool i will only use a few times.<br /><br />also.. i have read the posts about how to test compression but i wonder what is the best way to ground spark plug wires to prevent damaging the ignition? thanks<br /><br />matt

 

[ZmOz]

Re: where to buy seafoam and compression gauge?

You can buy Seafoam and a compression tester at Napa. I believe Autozone will let you barrow a compression tester for free.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: where to buy seafoam and compression gauge?

Tow the boat, if on a trailer, to the nearest auto repair shop and they should test the compression for very little. Have the spark plugs out before you go to speed up the process. Only takes a few minutes. Just an idea.....

 

[KCLOST]

Re: where to buy seafoam and compression gauge?

When doing a compression test, make sure you ground each spark plug wire before cranking...

 

[whosmatt]

Re: where to buy seafoam and compression gauge?

Originally posted by KCLOST:<br /> When doing a compression test, make sure you ground each spark plug wire before cranking...

what's the best way to do this? mine have pretty deep boots on them.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: where to buy seafoam and compression gauge?

Just disconnect the power from the coil. No power, no damage.

 

[whosmatt]

Re: where to buy seafoam and compression gauge?

thanks everyone... i ended up removing the plugs, putting them back on the wires and tying them up out of the way so they could just spark in oblivion. worked fine... btw my compression came up 10lb per cylinder after the decarb. both were within 1lb of each other.<br /><br /><br />thanks again..<br /><br />matt

 

[whosmatt]

Re: where to buy seafoam and compression gauge?

ok, i'm an idiot.... i realize that what i should have done was ground the plug back to the block with them out, this would have been really easy.... anyway, the motor ran fine for about 6 miles at WOT afterwards. would damage to the ignition system show up immediately? <br /><br />one day i will learn to follow instructions, i swear.