Community Forums

popcorn · 06-04-2013, 06:32 PM

I never have been an advocate of gas/oil additives. Always looked on them as snake oil. But just wondering if after spending an extended time in storage, couple weeks up to three months, there might be a justified use of any just to get the motor home woke up and running again. One called Sea Foam comes to mind, but I'm sure there's probably others out there. Any thoughts out there on this? Thanks.

cb1000rider · 06-04-2013, 07:06 PM

SeaFoam.. "cleans pistons magically". Yep. So does a good old fashioned head gasket leak that lets water into the combustion chamber.

The additive I'm looking at for 3 month storage is fuel stabilizer, especially on the genset side. Actually, I'm likely to drain the bowl on the genset (preferred) if I can't do stabilizer.

Beyond that, I read good things about the injector cleaning additive techron, but I've only tried it once.

Other additives have their purpose - additives for diesel (in some circumstances) and Torco for high-octane purposes (tuning boost).

Otherwise, I'm with you..snake oil.

jamesrxx951 · 06-04-2013, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

SeaFoam.. "cleans pistons magically". Yep. So does a good old fashioned head gasket leak that lets water into the combustion chamber.

The additive I'm looking at for 3 month storage is fuel stabilizer, especially on the genset side. Actually, I'm likely to drain the bowl on the genset (preferred) if I can't do stabilizer.

Beyond that, I read good things about the injector cleaning additive techron, but I've only tried it once.

Other additives have their purpose - additives for diesel (in some circumstances) and Torco for high-octane purposes (tuning boost).

Otherwise, I'm with you..snake oil.

+1

a fuel stabilizer is a great idea. It does help with keeping the fuel fresher when it is in storage. I do believe that when storing a vehicle the tank should be filled but I typically do not. I would rather fill it up with fresh fuel once out of storage. If the engine is sitting for a few months nothing special is really needed but for a longer time in storage I will start the engine once a month until it is warm. Will do the same with the generator. After the storage season is over, I change the oil in both engines.

lx22 · 06-04-2013, 07:33 PM

A good stabilizer is a must for storage over 30 days. A real good cleaner for removing carbon deposits is made by gm it is gm fuel system treatment plus. I call it miracle fix in a bottle. I have been using it for over 10 years and seen it fix alot of problems due to carbon and fuel deposits. Just my .02

dwhit · 06-04-2013, 07:44 PM

My Onan 5kw genset was surging while under load. Gas in line to genset and carb is more than a year old. I ran 3 cans of SeaFoam thru 15 gallons of gas (much higher strength than normal) while running genset with and without load for 250 miles.

No more surging...but I'm lucky. It won't always be this easy.

I bought MH used and it sat well over a year.

In everything gas at home I mix in Stabil as sometimes I won't use engine for many months. Gas with ethanol mix goes bad faster than real gas.

garyspang · 06-05-2013, 07:51 AM

8.1 L Vortec misfire & Ping Solution (non plug wire issue)
Chevron TECHRON is the only thing that worked for me. See above link.

gunnut · 06-10-2013, 06:56 PM

I have used slick 50 since the early 80's before it hit the auto market. I only have 525,000 mi. on my chevy Blazer with a 350. I did have a problem at 180,000 mi. with the oil cooler line coming out. I drove back to my shop (5mi. away) replaced the fitting, put oil in and have been driving it since. I just bought my first motorhome. I just slick50'ed the 8.1 liter and the generator. Oh and my dad years ago cracked a piston in his 63 chev. 327. The mechanic asked what he put in the engine since there was a very slippery substance between the cam journals. I am skeptical as well about snake oil as well. I hope this helps.