Decarbonizing a Motor

Mr. Krabs · 08-30-2005, 09:09 AM

I've been reading on a Johnson Outboard User's Forum about the great benefits of decarbonizing and outboard, particularly a 2-stroke like mine.

Anyone have any experience doing this, either good or bad?

I'm recently having problems where after running in low idle for awhile the engine tends to load up, idles rough, and is tougher to restart... 2-3 cranks rather than one to restart my warm motor.

Any ideas?

KChookem · 08-31-2005, 07:07 AM

Talk to your mechanic about a product called "Sea Foam" (the name of the product, and the company). One of my boat engine mechanics, and a seemingly knowledgeable NAPA employee, raved about "Sea Foam". Automotive stores, and at least one large international marine supply outfit carry it. Sea Foam comes in a liquid or an aerosol.

I just started using it as a fuel stabilizer, and will use the aerosol for a fogging the cylinders.

Reading the info on the can, the product seems to be one of those 'will do everything' products, however, by nature, I'm always suspicious. On the other hand, WD40, JB Weld, and Duct Tape are pretty amazing products. Nevertheless, the can says it is an Injector Cleaner, Carburetor Cleaner, Carbon Cleaner, Fuel Stabilizer, De-Icer, Upper Cylinder Lube, Dries Oil and Fuel, etc.

On a cautionary note, you do not want little teensy bits of stuff breaking loose and plugging your carburetor jets, which, of course, can happen whether or not you add something to the fuel, carbs, etc.

FallRiverGuy · 08-31-2005, 08:16 AM

I just decarbonized my motors with Seafoam after reading about it, but have yet to run them so I don't yet know the results. I called and talked with a Yamaha mechanic and he said to definitely do the treatment especially if you troll a lot. One interesting tidbit I came across said that high octane fuels will cause more carbon build-up then low grade fuels. This was discussed previously about a month ago and that thread had some good information.

StickFish · 08-31-2005, 11:45 AM

I don't use sea foam but I do use a product call Ringfree in my fuel for my Yami 4 strokers - Sea foam in the continued use strength will do the same. Just remember there is a shock treatment concentration and a continous use concentration. If you haven't decarbed, shock treatment. I used ringfree from day one and I'm hoping the carbon will be kept to a minimum.

I didn't know Sea Foam could also be a stabilizer - that would save one jug on the shelf

Kerry · 08-31-2005, 12:34 PM

YES do it. NAPA has sea foam in a spray can, it is called deep creep. This stuff works best when it soakes into the carbon so it can be burnt off. Take it out in the water and run it to get it hot, spray deep creep in the carb untill you flood it out then give it another shot. Let it sit and soak into the carbon for 5 minutes, start it up and run the hell out of it to burn the carbon.
Or pull the plugs and spray each hole and let sit over night and run it the next day
work very well

freespool · 09-01-2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

I don't use sea foam but I do use a product call Ringfree in my fuel for my Yami 4 strokers

Was pokeing around a Yamaha website the otherday and came across this fact. Sea Foam will accomplish the same results as Ringfree, at a fraction of the cost.
I use Ringfree now at $25qt. Think I'll give Sea Foam a try.

salmon hugger

bigtrout · 09-01-2005, 01:02 PM

Here is a link from Iboats http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ul...;f=36;t=000006

Mr. Krabs · 09-01-2005, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the tips all.

I did the decarb two nights ago, following the same article linked by BigTrout. First couple passes, moderate smoke, ran rough as the SeaFoam passed through.

THEN, I let it sit overnight and ran it again. Wow. LOTS of smoke, a bit of discolored cooling water out the exhaust.

Took it out yesterday and ran it. When I started the engine, I got the "Fuel Flow Interrupted" warning alarm.

Uh oh...

After a few minutes, I took it out anyway and ran it. After a minute or two, the alarm stopped. I eventually ran to WOT and cleared the cyclinders out some more.

End results...

Better idle and WAY better torque... good hole shot, and it sets you back in your seat when you're at half throttle and goose it a bit.

I would highly recommend this product/procedure if you haven't done it before.

Kerry · 09-02-2005, 08:38 AM

Glad you had as good luck with it as I have had. Just do it more often and you should be good to go. You can even do it it on a car and it really works. After the big smoke cloud cleares out. LOL

My Limit · 09-13-2005, 09:53 PM

Another good product for that is the Johnson/Evinrude Engine Tuner. I've cleaned many carbs with it and avoided a full rebuild on the carbs.

ML