Fuel treatment other than Seafoam?

[datter]

Me again, I'm one of those guys who only post when something is wrong. I hate us sort of people, but anyway.

I have one cylinder that seems to stop firing from time to time. The guy at the shop said a valve (or something) was getting stuck causing it to flood. Also said he fixed it, but I noticed some lag on the way to the office today and it felt like a dead cylinder. All the pipes were hot on getting here, but it was running ok for part of the trip so that would explain that.

Would something like Seafoam be good to help clean the system out a bit and keep whatever it is from getting stuck, thus flooding that cylinder out? If so, is there anything else more readily available that is recommended since Seafoam doesn't seem to be handily available around here... not that I can find anyway.

I took a peek at the local hardware store online catalog (here) and find so many damned choices I'm not really sure which one would do the trick, if any.

As always, open to advice.

[trbig]

I was hard headed and tried just about everything else from the no-name stuff to Berrymans. I just kept seeing the cost of the Sea Foam and thought that there would be something out there that worked better or as well for cheaper. If there is.. I never found it. Sea Foam works extremely well on cleaning varnish out of your carbs from the bike sitting, along with the XS carbon in the head and on the pistons.

What it won't do is clean the dirt/debris from your carbs that is getting in the way of your float valves from sealing. This problem not only makes the bike run terrible, but if the valve can't shut, the fuel keeps flowing. If you're lucky, it will dump the XS fuel out your air filter. If you aren't as lucky, it will dump the XS into your oil... thinning it out, which will ruin lots of bearings and things. When you set the bike on the side stand, the sediment in your tank settles on the left side.. So if you have a stock setup, the #1 and #2 carbs will get dirtier than the others. A good carb cleaning sounds like it may be in order, along with some decent inline filters for the lines. New float valves and seats are still available also from various sources. You should change them as a set.

Tod

[boyat68]

Most NAPA establishments has it, also Northern Tools, also Wal-Mart. (SeaFoam)

Mystery oil also does about the same thing, however I like Seafoam as it works wonders in the Carbs. As far as a stuck valve, I have not used it in a motorcycle but have used it in a lawnmower, and it did wonders with the valves. The instructions on the can say"When added to crankcase (OIL) Frees sticky lifters and rings."

Both types contain distillates and is ignitable.

Also I have in the past used RISLONE to treat a sticking engine valves.

Someone on this site recommended that you check your TCI unit and clean and apply dielectric grease to the plugs if one cyl is not firing from time to time.

[stevec5000]

Walmart has just setup a big display with tons of Seafoam in the automotive department. It's about $6 a can.

[trbig]

Marvel Mystery Oil

Several years back, I had an old '72 Ford P/U with a 390 and some noisy lifters. I poured the MMO in the oil and drove it @ 20 miles to a buddy's house and it actualy did stop the sticky lifter noise. While I was there at his house, I poured in a bottle STP oil treatment to keep everything good and lubed up and to help keep the lifters freed up. On the way home... the motor threw a rod out the side of the block! lol.

It always made me wonder how adding an oil to your gas could help CLEAN carbon and such from a motor as it states, but I got an incredible deal on a gallon can of MMO at an auction. I thought I'd give it another try, so I started using it religiously in every tank of gas on the bike... 2 ounces as directed.

That motor spun a crank bearing, which wasn't MMO's fault, but when I tore the engine down, it was one of the most carboned up head/valves/pistons/exhaust pipes that I had ever seen. I thought this was supposed to help CLEAN that stuff. Maybe there were other unknown problems and it was running a bit rich already, but with two failures in two tries with it, it sure steered me away from using it again. Anyone want to buy a mostly full gallon can of MMO?? lol.

Some of you may have had XSellent performance out of it.. but just thought I'd share mine with ou. Take it for what it's worth to you.


Tod

[Flatlander]

I was going to say mmo, but after that post I'm not, because I have nothing to back it up and while I'm at it I'll say kerosene, I've herd of others using it to remove sludge in oil gernals. But no personal exp.
But now I'm thinking that trbig used it in the oil and not the gas right? So now I'll say mmo in the gas! I use it there from time to time and have not encountered any problems, but not sure if it helps either.
I've also watched people steam clean their engines by pouring water into the intake to remove carbon on cylinders and valves, but be very carefull.......hydro lock!

[trbig]

I used it in the oil on the truck, and in the gas on the bike.


Tod

[Guy_b_g]

Spraying water into the intakes while lightly revving the engine will "shock" the carbon off as it instantly turns to steam. Use a spray gun and rev the engine enough to keep the cylinder you are cleaning from causing it to stall..use a spray bottle and spray enough into the intake to drag down the revs.

Anyone who's ever been a fry cook is familiar with how this works. At the end of the day when you're cleaning the grill you hit it with water to shock/steam the carbon and built up gunk off of the surface of the grill, works ten times better than scraping it off.

[CarolynS]

Cast Iron Skillet

Same idea as when you have a good cast iron skillet that's perfectly seasoned. You don't dump it in a dishpan with soapy water...While it's still steaming hot, you pour hot water in it and scrub it with a brush. That's clean.
As far as MMO, we use it on seized up VW motors. Never heard of it used in the gas. We always pour it in the filler and give it a day or two to work and start trying to turn the engine with a ratchet. The last one I tried it on was stuck solid-in the space of 5 days the engine would spin like butter.
I am about to try the Seafoam to clean the carb off the pistons and let it soak down-I can only imagine how much carbon I can't see. It sounds like a miracle diet-Lose all you want and nothing you don't in less than 30 days!! WalMart has it's detractors, but all in all, when it comes to tools and automotive, it seems like they still care about the little guy. The WalMart up here just put up a big display too. Between you all and the store, it's worth a try. I don't think it can do any damage that's not already done and lurking....

[CarolynS]

I just asked HWMBO

He uses Lucas 'Tune Up in a Bottle'. Lucas has alot of products for treatment of engines. Google search them and it should come up-Lucas Oil Products.
He swears by it, not just on cars, but on our Semi's-the school has 23 of them, and on his HD.
Just trying to give you another resource...

[bikerphil]

carbon

It is important not to disturb the carbon ring on the cylinder walls near the top of the piston's travel. This carbon ring helps with the oil control with an older engine. You don't want to see any blue smoke or have an oil consumption problem. Clean tops of pistons only!

[Guy_b_g]

I've been using the water method of cleaning carbon from combustion chambers and exhaust valves for years with no ill effects as far as oil consumption goes.

Not saying it can't happen...just saying I've never experienced any problems.

[red bandit]

I've used the water method too. Did you ever take apart an engine that was leaking water into the cylinders....tops of pistons and combustion chambers spotless.

[earl G]

fuel treatment--with unlead fuel an a older bike does anybody use a lead additive?

[jetmechmarty]

I have a lawn mower running just fine on a 50/50 mix of gasoline and Sea Foam. It would not run on straight Sea Foam, but it did cure the gunked carb issue.

I have been told by others with the experience that Techron works better than Sea Foam for cleaning the carbon deposits from the combustion chamber. The problem is, I don't know what is in Techron. I'm sure the same stuff is available in several labels.