Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Sea foam engine cleaner on a DFI
Posted by Mikev09 on 07/13/16 - 5:14 PM
#1
Has anyone used the engine cleaner sea foam on a DFI engine? The stuff is supposed to work really good on all engines but not sure about A 2-stroke DFI
Posted by Phil T on 07/14/16 - 8:33 AM
#2
What are you trying to do? Maintenance or solve a problem (explain)?
Posted by tedious on 07/14/16 - 9:21 AM
#3
Unless the manufacturer specifically recommends it, I would not touch the stuff. A modern fuel-injected motor, whether 2-stroke or 4, is a whole different beast than a classic two-stroke. I've used Sea Foam on the latter, and also air-cooled 4-strokes, to blow off carbon, but that should be much less of a problem on modern motors anyway.
Tim
Posted by bradsc on 07/14/16 - 9:23 AM
#4
You can use Sea foam in a DFI. It might help treat your gas to minimize carbon buildup and basically clean some gunk out of your injectors. According to several marine mechanics I have talked to, when asked about engine cleaners they recommend Yamaha Ring Free. It is more of a carbon cleaner.
If you are having engine trouble, these products are not your answer. If you want extreme maintenance, a can of either product from time to time can only help. There is no objective data on long term affects of these products that I have found.
Posted by DennisVollrath on 07/14/16 - 10:29 AM
#5
There was a test some time ago done by Practical Sailor in 2012 to gauge the corrosion fighting characteristics of a number of fuel additives when salt water was introduced into the fuel system. Sea Foam performed quite well for the cost of the product. I have taken to adding it to my fuel tank when I fill up.
No comment on its cleaning abilities.
Dennis
Posted by bob camire on 07/16/16 - 4:21 AM
#6
I think the people who benefit most from additives are the manufacturers.
Posted by Sjoconnor on 07/17/16 - 5:38 AM
#8
Very interesting read. I might have to rethink my obsession with having treated fuel.
Stephen
Posted by flippa on 07/17/16 - 10:29 AM
#9
I use seafoam regularly in all my internal combustion engines, especially the boats and lawn equipment that sit. It stabilizes the fuel.
It has definitely made a difference to my tired, old lawnmower. I cleaned out the carb and engine with a heavy dose of seafoam in a tank and it now runs better. I smoked out the yard when I did it.
Edited by flippa on 07/17/16 - 10:33 AM
Posted by MG56 on 07/17/16 - 3:04 PM
#10
Yep, it says right on the bottle of Seaform or Techron that you don't use on a regular basis. And I absolutely agree that you don't use this type of product on a regular basis, just when you need it.
I find it interesting that you can't buy FI filters, that's sad.
What I can't believe is fuel stabilizer is also bad for the FI filters, and is discouraged. I'm thinking they should make better FI filters.
Posted by EJO on 07/19/16 - 9:09 AM
#11
I'm glad that Full Throttle can run ethanol as this is what it did to my fuel lines
https://goo.gl/photos/WPU2APh7pKRXKa6S87pKRXKa6S8and guess what the filters and injectors can't handle that stuff in the fuel either.
https://goo.gl/photos/ZBMdkChNwLCLiH1k6NwLCLiH1k6
I've been boating for over 50 years in seasonable climates and always stabilized my fuel (gas, diesel, leaded, unleaded, and especially the gas with that corn stuff in it) when storing and never had a problem because of it. Not in every fill up just when storing.
Edited by EJO on 07/19/16 - 9:12 AM
Posted by Reel Easy on 07/19/16 - 11:28 AM
#12
After having three motors carbs redone, I have used nothing but non-ethanol fuel and have seen better starting, idling, etal. I will never again put corn in my tank no matter the cost.
Posted by NeilCarp on 07/19/16 - 8:03 PM
#13
What makes more sense? The engine manufacturers that have to make repairs while under warranty telling you to use a stabilizer when you use ethanol or a guy that makes his living off of cleaning injectors telling you not to use stabilizer and to use ethanol. If the manufacturers are wrong they are increasing their repair cost some of which they will have to pay for because of the warranty. If the guy that cleans the injectors is wrong, he gets more business.
Posted by jgortva on 07/20/16 - 6:19 AM
#14
Maybe I am missing something, but I believe the original question was about Sea Foam Engine Cleaner and not the Sea Foam Fuel Treatment. The engine cleaner I believe is also called, "Deep Creep" and it is to be sprayed into older carbureted outboards in pretty large quantities. It is used to de varnish fuel systems and de carbon engines. I have seen some You Tube videos with guys using it and I do not believe you could use it on Fuel Injected Engines successfully as you would have to have some type of setup to introduce it into the fuel rail. Sea Foam Fuel Additive on the other hand can be used mixed in with the gas and I have had some success with it slightly improving performance by what I can only think is from cleaning the injectors and of course it also stabilizes the fuel and treats for ethanohl. The only other engine cleaner or de carbonizer I know of is Yamaha's Ring Free which I have also used but with not much measurable success.
Edited by jgortva on 07/20/16 - 6:20 AM