Seafoam or Stabil?

[Alan_Hepburn]

In a couple of weeks I'm going to have surgery on my right hand (dang Dupuytren's Disease!) and will not be able to ride for a while. The bike will be sleeping in the garage, but I'm not sure if Seafoam or Stabil would be better while it's sitting over the winter - what say you all?

 

[fast4d]

seaform might loosen up deposits you already have.

I would use blue/marine stabil

make sure you run the engine for a few minutes after adding!

 

[Rumbo Sur]

I would add Stabil in correct proportion, leave tank full if you can. If you're riding now, add a cap full or two of Sea Foam and RIDE. I would not leave Sea Foam in for super extended periods ... but probably fine to do so.

Once back on the road after storage, I would once again add a bit of Sea Foam and run it through. (don't over dose it ... follow directions) Sea Foam is good at expelling water can help dissolve crud in tank and fuel system and may help clean up injectors clean as well. I believe it really works. Some think it's Snake Oil.

I used Stabil storing vintage bikes 10 years +(now all sold) Only started them up once a year. With Stabil and a bit of Marvel Mystery Oil in fuel, those old bikes started first or 2nd kick every time and ran PERFECT!

Once you are riding again, run out the Stabil and add Sea Foam. I use Sea foam every 3rd or 4th tankful just for maintenance. Seems to work well.

Don't over dose with the Stabil either. Add and mix into fuel well, then RUN bike for at least 15 minutes to allow it into fuel system.
Be sure to store your bike with a Battery Tender to keep battery fresh ... or remove battery. Be sure it's a SMART Charger so you don't over cook your battery.

 

[Titus58]

I've had great success with Stabil - had it in a unused generator for +10 years. Replaced with fresh fuel, did an oil change and it started on the 2nd pull - I was all set to rebuild the carb but wasn't necessary.

Good luck on the Dupuytrens surgery - I had my hand done years ago - turned out great and was a lot less difficult than I had expected.


T

 

[dmfdmf]

How long and where is it going to sit? Carb or Injected?

These fuel additives help prevent gas from going stale. In 4-6 months the hydrocarbons slowly oxygenate to form gum deposits which wreaks havoc on the fuel system, especially carbs.

A different problem is the ethanol in the gas which will combine with moisture in the air and separate out into an orifice plugging goo in 4-6 WEEKS, a totally different process. I don't think there is an additive that can stop that process (though the sellers of the additives claim otherwise).

Depending on how long you are out of commission I think you have three choices;

1. Run the system dry and pull the tank, rinse it with kerosene, let dry and store it indoors where it won't rust.
2. Fill it up with non-ethanol gas and add seafoam or whatever to stablize the gas to prevent formation of gum deposits.
3. Fill it with normal gas, add stabilizer and run it to get into the carbs then top off the tank all the way to the rim (to prevent rust and minimize contact with the air) and hope for the best.

As far as I know non-ethanol gas is not available in the Bay Area but I think it is available outside the area, usually at boating docks at some lakes. Or maybe you have the connections to get some AV gas, assuming it has no ethanol added. Another alternative is youtube videos on how to remove ethanol from gasoline yourself which involves adding a measured amount of water to some high octane gas, letting the ethanol goo that forms separate out and then draw off the pure gas. Do this at your own risk.

 

[ST Guy]

Seafoam is snake oil. Use the correct amount of Stabil, rock the bike side to side to mix it in, and run the bike long enough to get the treated gas through all of the fuel system.

 

[EastBayDave]

Seafoam is snake oil. Use the correct amount of Stabil, rock the bike side to side to mix it in, and run the bike long enough to get the treated gas through all of the fuel system.

Have had great luck w/Stabil over many years, many bikes.

Have not tried Sea Foam yet but it's got a good reputation Nationwide.

 

[Starpower]

I have seen absolute miracles performed by Sea Foam many times as well as long term storage stability.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Thanks everyone - looks like it'll be Stabil after we do our last ride on Saturday (PGR ride in the San Jose Veterans Day parade). It's always connected to a Battery Tender + when it's in the garage so the battery should be good.

Good luck on the Dupuytrens surgery - I had my hand done years ago - turned out great and was a lot less difficult than I had expected.
T

Thanks - I had the ring finger on my left hand done about 15 years ago. About 10 years ago I had the index finger on my right hand done, then about 4 years ago I tried the NA procedure on my right hand, ring and little fingers. Then 2 years ago the ring and little fingers on my right hand had the Xiaflex injection; now we're going back to surgery for those 2 fingers. Surgery is the ONLY procedure that actually removes the tissue, although it's the highest risk procedure!

How long and where is it going to sit? Carb or Injected?

These fuel additives help prevent gas from going stale. In 4-6 months the hydrocarbons slowly oxygenate to form gum deposits which wreaks havoc on the fuel system, especially carbs.

A different problem is the ethanol in the gas which will combine with moisture in the air and separate out into an orifice plugging goo in 4-6 WEEKS, a totally different process. I don't think there is an additive that can stop that process (though the sellers of the additives claim otherwise).

Depending on how long you are out of commission I think you have three choices;

1. Run the system dry and pull the tank, rinse it with kerosene, let dry and store it indoors where it won't rust.
2. Fill it up with non-ethanol gas and add seafoam or whatever to stablize the gas to prevent formation of gum deposits.
3. Fill it with normal gas, add stabilizer and run it to get into the carbs then top off the tank all the way to the rim (to prevent rust and minimize contact with the air) and hope for the best.

The bike is in my garage - it's a '94 GL1500SE so it's got carbs. I think option 3 is what I'll go with - it's a lot of work to pull the tank out of a Goldwing, and non-ethanol gas is basically ubobtainium! It's hard to tell how long it's going to sit. Surgery is one day, then there's a 2 week wait with the hand bandaged up and unmoveable. After that it's rehab time to get the fingers to bend again, and working on grip strength. Previous surgeries have had about 3 months of rehab, but this time we're doing 2 fingers so I have no idea how rehab is going to go!

Seafoam is snake oil. Use the correct amount of Stabil, rock the bike side to side to mix it in, and run the bike long enough to get the treated gas through all of the fuel system.

Rocking the bike side to side is problematic - there's a big old sidecar hanging off the right side! Maybe I can roll it forward and back vigorously?

 

[Schnellbandit]

Just a thought, someone you trust to take the Wing out once every 2 weeks to run a gallon or two through it, top it off and return. Maybe an hour or two of their time and offer up the lunch along the ride and might work for both of you.

Way better than letting it sit and hoping.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Just a thought, someone you trust to take the Wing out once every 2 weeks to run a gallon or two through it, top it off and return. Maybe an hour or two of their time and offer up the lunch along the ride and might work for both of you.

Way better than letting it sit and hoping.

Hmmm - maybe a good time to get the wife into the driver's seat? She has health issues of her own, but has mentioned a few times that she might want to learn how to drive in case of emergency. Of course if she can't handle it then we're right back where we started...

 

[Tim-That CX Guy]

Star Tron

 

[Rumbo Sur]

If you treat with Sea Foam and Stabil your GL can sit for 6 months easy.
Both those additives are GREAT for Carbs. :thumbup

Good luck with the surgery! :ride

 

[auntiebling]

if the bike has a manual petcock, i'd treat the gas in the tank with stabil then shut off the gas and run the carbs dry.

the alcohol is a sonofabitch. i do everything i can to keep it from prolonged, stagnant, contact with the internals of carburetors. it's caused me to get pretty adept at removing them from a gl1000

 

[augustiron]

Holy crap, I can't believe I just read about 2 other barfers with duprytons. I have it on my left middle, it has been present but not intrusive for a long time but is growing and starting to restrict full extension.
Glad to hear surgery works.

 

[Erbuck]

The people on Goldwing Docs say 'AND'

http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35589

 

[Rumbo Sur]

The people on Goldwing Docs say 'AND'

http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35589

Yea, Gold Wing guys got it right. LEAVE treated fuel IN the carbs. So easy! I have a couple carbs for Spares. I store them in Zip lock bags to help preserve seals and O rings.

 

[napabandit]

I am in the early stages, just annoying lumps in my hands at this point. They make my hand sore when I ride though.

My vote for storage is Sta-bil.

 

[Tri750]

I wouldn't take Seafoam if it was free.
If your serious about trouble free storage, buy racegas. It's expensive but will allow 2yr.
Even the karting 89 stuff. It will evaporate so get enough but the Sta-Bil can be an option with racegas.

 

[kuksul08]

I've used regular Stabil for years. It keeps gas from gumming up for over a year. But keep in mind that the bike won't run that well because the gas loses its volatility after a couple months. You will want to burn it up and put fresh gas in before really going for a ride.

If you have a metal tank, fill it to the brim so water doesn't accumulate and rust the inside.

Run the engine for a few minutes before storing it to make sure the stabil mixes up and gets distributed in the lines.