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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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fuel additives survey

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2010 : 07:51:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">so which product is best for removing deposits? Stabil, Startron, Techron or Sea Foam?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Bruce,
Having used Stabil, Techron and Sea Foam I believe Sea Foam packs the most punch as one of its uses is to add it directly to the combustion chamber to remove hardened carbon deposits. I would remove your idle jet and let it soak in a small container of Sea Foam for a bit and then blow it out with compressed air. Add half the can to a half gallon of gas and let it run for 30 minutes and then fill the tank and add the remainder to the full tank. A change of spark plugs is probably in order too if you have used them all season.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2010 : 08:44:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I've read the Practical Sailor article, so which product is best for removing deposits? Stabil, Startron, Techron or Sea Foam?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">If they don't know, we certainly don't know. I use two different types (Marine Stabil and Startron) because I'm not sure I believe the claims from either of them.

Have you tried some new plugs?

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/16/2010 08:45:54

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2010 : 19:24:47

I changed the plugs, oil & filter and gas filter over the winter.

I've been using the engine a little more than average, so I'd say I'm up to about 80 hours on the engine this season. The plugs could be dirty or fouled.

I'll start with Seafoam in the tank, then change the plugs, then pull the carb and soak it in solvent.

Last time the Honda behaved like this, it had a clogged idle jet. I really hate to pull the carb off the engine with it on the boat. If "dropsey" were to set in, I'd need a new one in a big hurry.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2010 : 21:30:28

Bruce,
Not sure of your engine but on my Honda the idle jet was easily removable without removing the carb. I believe I had a 98 Honda 8. Using a strong solution of SeaFoam may work but a good soaking of the jet in a solution followed by a blast of compressed air is the standard.

Edited by - on

Frank Law
Navigator

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USA
159 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2010 : 18:44:34

CHANGING the stream hear.... Have any of you noticed how black the inside of your fuel compartment is?? or is it just me and my boat.. I also notice the same black condition on the inside of my cars gas cap compartment.. I'm blaming it on the new gas and what ever they add to it.. I do not recall this black stuff when using the boat years ago!!!
has anyone else noticed this blackening..

Frank Law
" ABOUT TIME"
3519 1983 sr, swk

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2010 : 19:33:00

That actually applies to old gas as well. Hydrocarbons evaporate and oxidize and polymerize to leave a more complex and grease-like residue Be sure your vent is closed when not running to reduce, but not eliminate it.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2010 : 20:32:58

My boat gets it too and I keep the vent closed. I've also noticed my cockpit seats just above the fuel tank locker keep getting a black residue on it. I thought it was mold until I was typing this and realized that maybe it's coming from the fumes in the fuel locker.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2010 : 20:56:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 ...Be sure your vent is closed when not running to reduce, but not eliminate it.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Another reason to close it is to keep the tank from inhaling and exhaling every time the temperature falls and rises. The resulting dew that forms inside migrates to the bottom--then possibly to your engine (unless you have a Racor).

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2010 : 05:50:17

Frank Law wrote; <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Have any of you noticed how black the inside of your fuel compartment is?? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes

Dave5041 wrote; <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> That actually applies to old gas as well. Hydrocarbons evaporate and oxidize and polymerize to leave a more complex and grease-like residue Be sure your vent is closed when not running to reduce, but not eliminate it. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No way

way

I never put the two together

stinkpotter wrote;<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Another reason to close it is to keep the tank from inhaling and exhaling every time the temperature falls and rises. The resulting dew that forms inside migrates to the bottom--then possibly to your engine (unless you have a Racor). <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Makes sense too. That's it, I'm closing the vent from now on

No risk of explosion

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2010 : 08:02:25

For use in my dinghy engine only Marine Formula Sta-Bil.
After using sta-bill in Mecury 4hp it now has 8hp.

paulj

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2010 : 09:36:27

While good advice to keep the vent closed, it is also important to burp the tank after a few hours of running, otherwise the fuel pump will reach it's limits of drawing against the developing vacuum in the tank and the motors shuts down from lack of fuel...don't ask how I know...

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2010 : 10:03:00

I didn't say to not open it to run the engine. Just close it when you're leaving the boat for a few days. Then hang a reminder by your battery switch or on the pull handle.

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Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2010 : 19:17:21

We Have had good luck with Valve Tect in the Gas at the Marina but when we get it outside we add Star Tron

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2010 : 05:28:05

My C250 is too new to me to have seen this propblem. But my powerboat (50 hp 2-cycle)developed rough idle, etc. Every season until a dealer recommended Mercury Power Tune. That cleaned out carbon build-up and other gunk in carb without needing to remove carburetor from the boat (which I have done many times).

I need to check if it's recommended for 4 cycle, but if so I'll try it on my Honda 15.

Application method is to spray it into carb until the motor stalls, let it sit (easy to do while sailing) then start and run 3/4 speed.

FYI I also use std Sta-bil in thegas, because I have a bunch of it to get rid of.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2010 : 06:59:54

See whether Mercury recommends it for their own little 4-strokes--I believe their power heads are made by Tohatsu.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2010 : 18:46:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 See whether Mercury recommends it for their own little 4-strokes--I believe their power heads are made by Tohatsu.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I returned home, so I was able to inspect the can of Quicksilver Power Tune. They recommend it for all 2- and 4-stroke engines. There was no stipulation of size, and I'm not surprised, since carbon deposits are pretty much the same on all motors.

Hopefully my recent sailing drought will end this weekend. I'll shoot some in my 15 hp Honda and see how it works. Although it's been running OK, I have noticed it not starting quite as instantaneously as it used to, so it might be due for some de-carbonization.

Edited by - on

CharF
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2010 : 21:20:20

My old Honda 100 :)(10hp) sat for a few years. I unplug the gas line while I flush the motor, so it did not have much gas in it during storage. I flushed the gas can with fresh gas. I put the motor on my engine stand, hooked up the water and gas and it fired up. On the boat, first and second weekends, it ran well. Third weekend, I switched tanks, I had a problem with the priming pump. I replaced the pump. Ever since, I have been having problems. I filled the tank that seemed to work, still having problems. Difficult to start. Last time out, I barley got the motor running on my way back to the marina. I let it idle, it died and would not start. First time I sailed into the slip. After reading a few threads, I figure I have a gunked up carb. I bought a can of Seafoam and will soak my jet, add to gas and hope I get better results.

I almost bought a new outboard today. Thanks for all of your comments. I now have many more things to try before shelling out a couple grand.

Edited by - CharF on 10/08/2010 21:21:34

Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2010 : 13:00:49

Sea Foam sounds like Marvel Mystery Oil. I've had mechanics that swore by it also.
Use in oil, gas, everywhere, etc. even airplanes. I've not tried either, (in outboards) but the similarity caught my eye.

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