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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Seafoam fuel treatment

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/24/2011 : 10:12:09

Question:
Can Seafoam be added safely to gas that already has Stabil in it? I just took 2.5 gal. fresh gas out to the boat with Stabil added. The Nissan 9.8 is not idling at all (runs fine at or above medium throttle) and our dockmaster thinks it may be a clogged low idle jet. He suggested trying Seafoam first, before paying to take the carb apart.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 10:52:45

I do not know if you can mix the two additives.

My experience with my Tohatsu, is that you have to take the low-speed jet out and soak it in carb cleaner overnight. Even just spraying it down does not work. Unfortunately, I have needed to do this three times.

The first time I took it to the dealer. The last two times I just did it myself, It was not that difficult. I am about to order a couple of extra low-speed jets so that I can just remove one and then reassemble the carb.

Edited by - Davy J on 03/24/2011 10:53:30

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 11:54:35

Did you take the motor off of the boat each time? sounds like it might be a good idea if I went ahead and ordered 2 so I'll have a spare.

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 12:03:24

The first time I took the motor off and dragged it to the dealer. Which is a lot of work. The other two times I just removed the carb from the motor while it was mounted on the boat. The linkages all pop off, there are two bolts holding carb, air box and seals. The seals are reusable, they are not like gaskets. You will need a socket wrench with an extension.

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 12:07:08

Also, if you can run the fuel out of the motor beforehand it is less messy. One of the difficult jobs is removing and reinstalling the fuel line.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 13:06:33

Give the folks at Seafoam a call (952) 938-4811

Or, Call Stabil 1-800-367-3245.

A phone call is a lot easier than taking a carb apart.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 13:09:08

I don't get it. I haven't had my Tohatsu apart but have had several other carbs apart and have never seen a jet that needed replacing or soaking overnight. Take'm apart, clean them up. Shoot high pressure air through every orifice on the carb (don't miss any), replace the jet seat if there is one or the o ring and you're good to go. And of course running the gas out of the carb each time you use the motor will prevent most of this.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 14:16:42

I called Seafoam; they said the product is 100% petroleum based so no problem mixing it with other additives and it can be used instead of Stabil going forward. As to my motor, I bought it 12/07 and first used it in the spring of '08. To date it has not needed any servicing other than an oil change I did myself early last summer. So, this is the first time it has given me any difficulty. It runs fine in the mid and upper rpm's, but it will not idle. Next time out, I'll drain the carb bowl as well and run a double dose of Seafoam. If that doesn't work, I'll have to take the carb off and clear the low power jet.

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 14:51:20

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Take'm apart, clean them up. Shoot high pressure air through every orifice on the carb (don't miss any), <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I tried that once, only to have to pull the carb a second time and soak it. The low speed jet is very small and so are the holes in it. The last time, I actually used a small needle to help clean them out. The Tohatsu dealer (Internetoutboards), recommended soaking the jet overnight.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 15:02:03

Fuel filter

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 15:43:18

I'n going to replace the fuel filter too. I've also heard that the jets have very tiny openings. I don't know if this is true, but I've been told that you can take a single strand of wire from a section of #12 electrical wire to run through the jet oriface.

Edited by - dmpilc on 03/24/2011 15:50:36

Captain Bill
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 17:09:24

Last year My Honda 8 HP wouldn't run smoothly so I tried more Stabil. Then I mixed it with Sea Foam. Still not running smoothly. Had to have carbs, jets etc. cleaned. $$$$ I had been starting it up every 4-5 weeks during the winter and letting it idle. I talked with the mechanic (who did the work while on the boat) and he recommended running it in gear at high speed in addition to a low idling in neutral. According to him that will clean all the jets rather than just some of them.
Didn't know I had more jets. This year I've followed his suggestion and it cranks up every time and runs great at high speed and low idle.

I guess I just threw away all the money I spent "on the mechanic in the can". I'm hoping that idling at high and low speeds will keep the carbs clean with just stabil in it.

Bill

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KeziCat
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 18:08:38

FWIW, my pusher is an 84 Rudy 9.9. I have run both Stabil and seafoam together and never had a problem. I run Stabil during my sailing season and add seafoam to the last tank before haul out. Also, once or twice a year if she starts acting up I'll pull the carb, disassenble it and blast all the tiny orifices with half a can of carb cleaner. I like to use the fine soft wire you find if you strip the paper off of a breadbag twisty tie to probe the idle air bleed holes to loosen any deposits. After a final rinse down with more carb cleaner I reassemble. This and fresh plugs has always kept my YachtTwin running great at all throttle positions.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2011 : 18:38:40

Thanks all, for the suggestions and stories.

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