Just got my new Lund Impact – 4 strokes ROCK!
THat being said, coming from my 2 stroke Mercury where I used Sea Foam all the time plus ethanol free gas, If I use non-ethanol in my 4 stroke do I need to use Seafoam ( or similar product ) too?
I run seafoam once a year in the spring when I get the boat out of storage. Stabil in the fall when putting it in storage. Non oxy only. Never a problem since 1992 in 3 different Yammies.
I use stabil in all my small engines. I’ve never had an issue with bad fuel.
You need to run quickleen or another comparable ring free product.
Seems most are on one side or the other when it comes to Stabil – Either they love it and think its Great, or they hate it and think its Junk. I’ve used it off and on over the years. I now use Lucas Upper cylinder Lub every other tankful. I would think on a new motor if using quality Non oxy gas it would not be necessary.
Thank you everyone – I have always used Stabil and swear by it.
Just a “newbie” to marine engines and want to start off right.
I have ZERO problem putting in the more expensive non-oxy as it should run cleaner and better.
Enjoy – off to Clayton Iowa and Lock and Dam 10 to fish for Walleyes this weekend.
Thank you everyone – I have always used Stabil and swear by it.
Just a “newbie” to marine engines and want to start off right.
I have ZERO problem putting in the more expensive non-oxy as it should run cleaner and better.Enjoy – off to Clayton Iowa and Lock and Dam 10 to fish for Walleyes this weekend.
This is not exactly true as an engine run on higher octane then needed and designed for ( higher compression ) will build carbon faster as higher octane gas burns slower so less cleaner then high compression engines that were to designed to use it..
I don’t know what non-oxy gasoline is but I use ethanol-free premium in my 4-stroke merc (and other small engines) and the mechanic said there is no need for a fuel stabilizer.
Higher octane prevents pinging and engine knock from pre-ignition. Some might remember old cars that tried to keep running after the key was shut off. Until I find 87 octane without ethanol locally I will keep running the premium without ethanol as ethanol will cause havoc on fuel systems not designed for it.
I love my Mercury 4 stroke EFI, nice and quiet and don’t have to mess with a choke
If I use non-ethanol in my 4 stroke do I need to use Seafoam ( or similar product ) too?
No! Your engine has not been designed or tested to run with constant high doses of solvents and detergents. I’d bet we are at the point where people adding these solvents and snake oils to every tank now contributes to more engine problems than they solve, but even when things break, it’s always the fuel that gets blamed
Read your owners manual and run what it recommends.
The number one cause of engine problems in outboards is not running the engines enough and having fuel sit in the tank too long. Use your motor, and run the fuel as close to empty as is practical before refilling.
Grouse
Higher octane prevents pinging and engine knock from pre-ignition. Some might remember old cars that tried to keep running after the key was shut off. Until I find 87 octane without ethanol locally I will keep running the premium without ethanol as ethanol will cause havoc on fuel systems not designed for it.
I love my Mercury 4 stroke EFI, nice and quiet and don’t have to mess with a choke
I’m betting your manual says your motor is designed to be used with fuel with 10% ethonol
But what about the fuel line from my gas tank?
From owners manual
Alcohol in Gasoline
We do not recommend the use of gasoline which contains alcohol because of the possible adverse effect the alcohol may have on the fuel system. In general, if only gasoline containing alcohol is available, it must not contain more than 10% ethanol or 5% methanol, and the addition of a water separating fuel filter is recommended.
Newer models may say something different in the owners manual. Mine is a 2004
Fleet Farms by us have mid grade non ethanol, 89 octane. Works great for my boat and lawnmower.
I have a 2018 Merc 4 stroke 1145 proXS. Everyone has different opinions, etc. When in doubt follow the manual. If you have done all of your homework with the manual and mfg. recommendations, and decide to modify your fuel to your liking, then that’s fine too. Seafoam is snake oil and that’s been objectively proven. I run non-oxy out of my own will and superstition, and Once or twice a year I run a tank with the appropriate amount of fuel system cleaner containing PEA, which is backed by actual data. I do this in my vehicle too as a preventative maintenance item. I have not had a problem, and I don’t anticipate any. Oil change once a year, lower unit once a year, and non-oxy gas. As grouse mentions most boats don’t get used enough and gas gets old- but with non-oxy gas, it will take a lot longer to “go bad” than an ethanol blend will. Ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it pulls in moisture from the surrounding air. Running ethanol gas and also allowing the boat to sit for long periods leaves you with water in your fuel. This is also objectively true.
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