Seafoam

[Hagafan]

I have read a lot about Seafoam, It is something I have not heard of before but it sounds like a miracle liquid, seems you can put it anywhere in your engine. It sounds just what my ole girl needs. Question is, is it as good as some say, how do you use it and there is only one seller in UK Ebay. The cost including shipping is £29.98 ($47.44) which seems expensive but if it's as good as some say is it worth it?

[cbx4evr]

That is a crazy price when it is about $8 a can here.

It does work very well if you are having minor fuel and carburetor issues. I have never added it to the crankcase although they say you can. Is it worth $48, not too me but if it saves you a carb job .......

[D2D]

I've used it for years and add a couple of ounces to every 10th tank of gas just to keep things running smoothly. I also add 6oz when I put the bike up for the winter months. I've used it in the oil to free up gunk accumulated from years of sitting ( 6oz ) and find the product works well and as advertised and would recommend. Here in NH it costs $8.45 a bottle. It might be cheaper to have one of us send you some if it will go through out customs now. (???)

[WingAdmin]

I know people in the UK are getting raped over the cost of Seafoam, and have had people try to send it to them from the US, but it can't be shipped as it is a flammable petroleum product.

I've used it for years as well - any time I've had my GL1100 engine not running quite as well as it should, or throttle-related issues (hesitation, stumbling, etc.) I've run a can of Seafoam through the fuel tank and it's cleared the problem up.

I was always a bit wary of putting it into my crankcase, but when I finally tried it, I was sold. I changed my oil, so there was fresh oil in the crankcase. I then added half a can of Seafoam, went for a ride for 20 miles, then drained the crankcase - and the "fresh" oil came out grey with chunks of black sludge. The Seafoam had dislodged a lot of gunk that is not normally drained out during oil changes. So I now as a rule do that once a year.

The starter sprag clutches in our Wings do not get a lot of oil flow, and as a result, sludge tends to build up in that area. Enough sludge, and the little sprags get jammed and won't engage the clutch, so the starter motor spins but does not engage the engine. Removing the sprag clutch involves removing the engine and splitting the case. I have heard of SO many people who have had this problem, who fixed it completely with a single can of Seafoam in their engine oil for a bit.

So yes, it's a great product, and it does work. Perhaps it might be worth contacting the manufacturer and seeing if they have any distributors in the UK?

[seabee_]

If you google how to make seafoam you will come up with info like this http://hildstrom.com/projects/seafoam/index.html
One of the other forum boards had a question from the U.K. about seafoam and someone mentioned a product called Forte petrol treatment. They said it's close to seafoam and is cheaper over there. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORTE-GAS-ADV ... 500wt_1156
Seafoam does work, but follow the directions. Remember the old saying, too much of a good thing is bad...

[skier]

Seafoam is a local product here in Minnesota, costs about $4.85 a can in the local stores. I have used it for years in cars, trucks, motorcycles, outboard motors, chainsaws, etc, etc. Use it mostly in small amounts as a preventative treatment. I don't know for sure what problems I have avoided over the years, but I use it regularly in my 2-cycle outboard motor gas, which sits for periods of time. Last summer I pulled the carbs to put in rebuild kits for the first time in 8 years, and they were still very clean. I've dumped it down spark plug holes to soak piston rings. Use it in oil yearly prior to a change. Used it in my Wing prior to the first oil change after I bought it. Also use another Seafoam product called Deep Creep to free frozen bolts, etc. I've never had a bad experience with it.

[Hagafan]

Good news guys. I decided to get a can even though it was well expensive. Imagine my delight when I found the seller had cut the price. Now he wanted £14.99, I know it is still a great deal more than you are paying but half his original price. I ordered it on Friday and it arrived Saturday,I will use it today and let you know if it makes any difference.

[VMACHINE]

My only experience with seafoam:

Carb that sat with gas until it was dry, low speed jet was completely clogged.

I poored seafoam into a clean glass jar, placed jets in jar and sealed with a lid. After over 24 hours seafoam still looked clean,
jets showed no improvement. I was expecting the deposits on jets would have been soft and easier to remove, no such luck.

I placed jets in a ultrasonic cleaner with distilled water and a small amount of simple green and after many cycles of cleaning it was spotless. I would not use it for cleaning a fuel system that has been neglected. There is no substitute for hard work.

[thrasherg]

I placed jets in a ultrasonic cleaner with distilled water and a small amount of simple green and after many cycles of cleaning it was spotless. I would not use it for cleaning a fuel system that has been neglected. There is no substitute for hard work.

You call this hard work!!

Gary

[mbuesing]

IT WORKS! I use it in all gas that sits for a wile. (eg. lawnmower, snow blower, chainsaw)
For storage I fill the tank nearly full, add Seafoam and run engine 5 - 10 min., all start great.
My Son now rides my old 1976 KZ400. He just started it last Sun. on one kick.

[seabee_]

The kz400 is a nice bike. I sold my 77 kz400 after I bought my current 'wing. I have a Web link for maint info on that bike if you need it.

[mbuesing]

The kz400 is a nice bike. I sold my 77 kz400 after I bought my current 'wing. I have a Web link for maint info on that bike if you need it.

I got the bike in 1979. I can work on it blindfolded, but thank you.
That't the nice thing about bikers, we are willing to help each other.

[seabee_]

I wish I could have kept mine, but the wife wanted the space in the garage to park her Rebel. It was the KZ or the 'Wing, the KZ was the unlucky one. Found an eager college kid to give it a good home. Here's another link on the history of the KZ400. Thought you or you son might enjoy it.
http://www.kz400.com/Model%20history.html