I quit putting ethanol in the bike several months ago and the truck some time after that. Yes, alcohol attracts water. Seafoam also says it removes moisture from fuel.

 

How did you quit putting ethanol in the bike since its one of the ingredients at all fueling stations? Just curious.

 

Thanks flitecontrol. I was under the impression that all of the gas stations used ethenol in their tanks. Looks like I need to look around as you suggested.

 

Yeah, I thought so too until I checked. There was talk in the state legislature or requiring it in all gas, but apparently that didn't pass.

 

Seafoam was developed for the marine industry, because of the hi humidity marine vehicles are always used in, and one of it's strongest features is it's ability to work with moisture and make it burn through the system. It claims to give gasoline a 2 year shelf life. I've used it for several years and never had any problem, even when I had my bikes parked outside under a carport all the time. I seldom go more than a week with the bike parked, in fact the longest was about a month last year in the winter when I was away for training, and the seafoam in my gas tank did fine. My yard equipment gas tanks go for much longer though, including the 5 gallon gas can I keep in the garage, and as it always has seafoam in it, I've never had gas go bad since I started using seafoam. I understand that FL has much higher humidity than we have here in central Texas, but remember, condensation doesn't only form in fuel tanks, it can and will form on all parts of the bike, including inside the engine and cylinders, as well as around the spark plug boots.
Now, that new Stabil product might be a good product, but I won't be changing because of the 100% success I've had with Seafoam.

 

Now, that new Stabil product might be a good product, but I won't be changing because of the 100% success I've had with Seafoam.

Ditto. With all the issues that I've had over the years having to rebuild stabil fouled carbs, I just cannot see myself using any of their products. This new one might be right on the mark, but I'm with Fergy on this one. Ain't broke - don't need fixing...

Now, a customer of mine who operates a boat repair business has a new product that he swears by. He is going to give me some samples and I might try them out. But it will really have to impress me to move me away from my tried and true SeaFoam.

 

Fergy; SeaFoam Junkie I agree. Also salt water air does not help. bitch to keep bike clean and rust free. As I said a alternative. but many bikers rave about it the guy a ADvanced Auto parts 1st told me about it "WHERE I BUY MY SEAFOAM"

 

We have co-op cardlock stations that sell ethanol free gas. I think I'll join.

DT

 

There are many that will tell you to never use Stabil in your bike. The reason is just the opposite of what you seem to be sayinng, but I believe it was based on the original Stabil ...which had a bad habit of eating plastic carb parts.

I am not familar with the "STA-BIL Marine Formula "The green Stuff" with Ethanol Treatment" , but as I KNOW that Seafoam works , I also would be hesitant to switch to someting else.

Stabil , which ever kind, is predominitly used to "stabilize" fuel, for motors that tend to sit for long periods of time. One would think that living in FL you would be able to ride year round and not need a product like this.

Seafoam on the other hand can be used as a stabilizer, but it's main thrust is keeping the fuel system clean...be it fuel injectors or carbs. Even here in St. Louis , I have never "put my bike up" for the winter, as perhaps thanks to global warming, I still get a few rides in durring the winter months. So a stabilizer for my fuel tank is not needed here either.

I will however look into the product as my lawnmowers do get little use in the winter.

KM

 

Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly www.motorbyte.com had a write-up about in the oct/nov 2009 issue. For some reason they don't have the article online yet. Only in the print issue. and since i am not a typist I am not goin retype a full page newspaper article out. But they go into the history of Sea-Foam. Which since it was invented in Minnesota it was pretty easy to get a good story from people who know about it.

Around here Mills Fleet Farm sells Non-Oxygenated Premium gas. No ethanol and higher octane rating. Most gas stations around here that are by lakes sell it too, cuz it is better for boat engines.

 

Went out and bought my first can of SeaFoam today. I put a couple glugs in the tank as I just filled up on the weekend. I shook it around a bit and let it idle for 2-3 mins and then to her for a quick trip around the block reaching speeds of about 35 mph. Anything special I need to do?

 

seafoam

In the forum there is much discussion on seafoam. It apparently works best when allowed to sit in whatever you put it in. Overnight...a few days...but you can run it through with your fuel regularly. Seems like most people say once a month to maintain once you get the few bolus doses in. I used a half a can every 3 days for several weeks when i got my bike because i believe it sat a lot prior. Then i went to maintenance dosing.
Don't forget to ride it like you stole it. Bikes were made to ride. They need to be used not rotting in a garage.
:rockon:

 

I have used seafoam a lot (and swear by it) but since they started putting the ethenol in up here in Maine there is a problem with the ethenol seperating setting over time and in cooler temps. There is a new product out (last fall) called K100-mg that does wonders for this problem and does awsome cleaning. It is formulated spacifically for ethenol mix fuel. We especially have to use it in our snowmobiles with oil mixed fuel during the winter where the fuel seperates and if you get a shot of strieght ethynol it will blow the motor also the water will freeze.

My cousin and I did an experiment with proper amounts of seafoam, the green marine stabil, K100-mg, and strieght fuel in clear glass conainers. Let them set outside in an area similar to anything that may be outside (shade and sun throughout the day). We kept an eye on them for 2 weeks. Here are the results after 2 weeks of setting and not touched.

Seafoam - Minor seperation and looked a bit cloudy but remixed after shaking.

Stabil Marine green - Seperation stabil on top, fuel in middle and ethynol on bottom. Did not remix well after shaking.

K100 mg - No seperation and did not need to be shaken.

Strieght fuel - seperation and somewhat remixed after shaking.

We did this during the winter below 40 degrees and lately where the temps are warmer above 50 degrees and got the same results except for the ethynol seperation where it is only below 40 degrees it will seperate. After 4 weeks of this test the 2 best were Seafoam and K100 mg with the exception of the seafoam being a bit cloudy where it does allow some seperation. The K100 mg stayed totally mixed for the full 4 weeks without any shaking during cold temps below 40 degrees and warmer temps above 50 degrees. Every time the stabil would seperate and float at the top.

I alternate between seafoam and K100 mg but mostly use the K100 mg. The K100 is about $32 a quart but treats 80 gallons of fuel.

That's my 2 cents.

 

That's some really cool info! Never heard of the K100 MG stuff, but it sounds like pretty cool stuff. I'll have to do some reading about that. I'm curious about it's varnish cleaning capabilities.

 

I found a gas station near my house that sells non-ethanol gas. I noticed a slight improvement on the VN but a MAJOR improvement on my truck. My engine was louder then normal. After the first tank of non-ethanol gas, the engine got quiet. I have the stock exhaust and I can hear it over the engine now. Truck sports the 5.7 liter Hemi non-MDS.

Back on subject. I use non-ethanol gas in my bike and also give it a shot of seafoam once a month for maintenance. I normally use 1/2 a can of seafoam once a month. Seems to be working really good.

 

Been reading on their web site and it sounds impressive. Sounds like its water bonding capability is pretty cool. Dissolves varnish and sludge, cleans carbon deposits. They claim it doesn't eat up seals and non metal parts. Might have to try some.

 

Man, my head is about to explode. Reading about all the different formulations of E10 and how mixing newer with older causes problems and such. Makes you wonder if some of the carb problems that have crept up over the winter have been because of the first tank of new fuel in the spring reacted with an older formulation.
I've noticed that nearly all the gas stations down here have posted on the tanks the gas contains up to 10% ethanol. From what I read, the newer stuff has a short shelf life too... I need to stop reading.

 

Yeah go green huh? My fuel milege on my truck has dropped drastically since them adding the ethynol even though it increases the octane but actually reduces the power. So I'm thinking in the long run this will not be benificial to what they thought. Yes it reduces atmospheric junk but if it reduces your mileage you will be getting more fuel and in the long run that is worse then if they kept the crap out of the gas. Plus I'm sure all the fuel additives we have to put in to coinside with the ethynol gunking up stuff in the fuel system and all the water it attracts aren't good for the atmosphere either. Way to go capitol hill!!! Big money grab I think!

Ok back to the subject after getting that out. I still think seafoam is great especially in warmer states that don't have fridged temps but I'm sold on K100 mg for around here.

Fergy try the test for yourself it will convince ya. :smiley_th

 

Here is an interesting link on fed standards putting an end to ethanol free gas.http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/2...2010/05/25/1971598_ethanol-blends-closing-in-on-gas.html?storylink=omni_popular

 

So after putting in SeaFoam lst night and going for a quick drive and letting it sit over night, I went out this morning and it started up on the first touch of the start button. Friggin Awesome! Its started fine before, but tooom atleast two touches up until this morning. I'm stoked!