Seafoam use

[alehman]

Hey,

I'm not sure how long my bike's been sitting but I want to run seafoam through it (it runs and idles well though). I've heard of people putting it in the gas or directly into the oil. For putting it in the oil, people've said to let the bike run for 10-15 minutes and then drive around for a little and then change the oil and filter. I definitely intend to add seafoam to my gas to try and sort out some needle valve seating, but the seafoam-in-oil method sounds like a pretty thorough way of revitalizing a bike when it's not run for a bit.

Should I do the oil method first and then add it to the gas or do both at the same time? How would you guys proceed?

[pat english]

if it runs and idles good,i wouldnt fuck with it.

[LukeM]

SgtSlag is your local authority when it comes to SeaFoam. Here are a few observations/recommendations:

When used in the gas tank, add one ounce for every gallon when you fill up (put the SeaFoam in first), then drive until the tank is as empty as you dare.  Repeat every 3-6 months or so.  

When used to clean your crankcase, you add it to the oil, run the engine for 10-15 minutes, then drain as normal.  It will de-gunk your engine, and quite possibly remove any dirt seals inside your engine.  Those are ones where old oil and dirt have formed around gaskets and such.  

Here's a LINK to the SeaFoam website.

No warranty is expressed or implied by the impartation of this knowledge.  If it breaks or leaks, you didn't hear about this from me.  

Luke M

[sgtslag]

Luke is correct, except you only need to run it five (5) minutes, on the center stand, idling, shifting through all five gears (this circulates it through the transmission gears), then shut it down, and check the color of your oil:  if black, change the filter and oil, immediately; if it is still caramel-colored, then monitor it for 300 miles, checking to see if it blackens (dissolved carbon deposits), at which point you need to change the filter, and oil.  The oil turning black, is the trigger for an immediate change.

This only needs to be done once, if you change oil, regularly, with good, high detergent oil, such as Shell Rotella T/T6.  The five(5) minutes is sufficient to warm the oil to 180 F, at which point any detergent oil will suspend crud within it, to be caught by the filter (non-detergent oils let it fall to the bottom of the pan, as there is no filter to catch it).

In the fuel system, it will preserve the gas for up to 12 months; it will dissolve varnish deposits throughout the fuel system; it will absorb water (critical with ethanol gas that has been sitting for more than a few weeks...).  I use it for winter storage, and occasionally, during the riding season, to ensure a clean fuel system, and tank.  Cheers!

[LukeM]

See?  Told you Sarge was the MAN.
Luke M

[shinyribs]

I always,always learn something when Sarge posts.

[Piute]

   Seafoam Piute before the cooler

[LukeM]

I just like the "Luke is correct" part.   It happens once in a while.
The adage is:  When I'm right, no one remembers.  When I'm wrong, no one forgets.

Luke M