or at least it seems so.  This is my first time using Sea Foam.  I put about 8 oz. in the tank and filled her up.  On the way home, I began losing power in the low rpm range and eventually the engine died.  The only way I could keep it alive was to run on full choke.  I put it in 2nd gear and limped home using the choke as a throttle.  Unfortunately, it was too late at night (out of courtesy to my neighbors) to let the bike run to see if it gets better.  I've heard nothing but good things about Sea Foam. 

The can says 1 pint for 8 gal. so I figured a half pint for 4.  Is this normal or am I going to have to drain the tank?

BH

oh man...you put in too damn much!!! only 3-5 capfuls for a full tank. that is ALL. Just drain the carbs and tank and start all over again. I only used Sea Foam because I had my bike in storage for 3 months while I was in China. So...next time, use a LITTLE every 2-3000 miles per tank.

what were the symptoms before adding the seafoam ?

Quote from: Kaizer on October 01, 2007, 11:46:32 PM
oh man...you put in too damn much!!! only 3-5 capfuls for a full tank. that is ALL.

Is this enough to winterize your fuel, as well? I'm about to Sea Foam my fuel for the first time. Glad you mentioned that!

Quote from: Kaizer on October 01, 2007, 11:46:32 PM
oh man...you put in too damn much!!! only 3-5 capfuls for a full tank. that is ALL. Just drain the carbs and tank and start all over again. I only used Sea Foam because I had my bike in storage for 3 months while I was in China. So...next time, use a LITTLE every 2-3000 miles per tank.

It wouldn't fire at all this morning.  So much for following the directions on the can.

What am I going to do with all this (tainted) fuel?

BH

still haven't stated the symptoms you thought required a seafoam treatment....

I put whole cans in the tank with no problems.  Unless your bike had some other serious under lying issues, like alot of built up carbon that was the only thing sealing your valves when they shut, I wouldn't be so quick to point to the seafoam.

What am I going to do with all this (tainted) fuel?

Drain it to a few fuel cans then  mix it in with new fuel a little at a time.
Saves you on buying more seafoam too.

Quote from: NWDave on October 02, 2007, 07:16:17 AM
I put whole cans in the tank with no problems.  Unless your bike had some other serious under lying issues, like alot of built up carbon that was the only thing sealing your valves when they shut, I wouldn't be so quick to point to the seafoam.

Same here the Sea Foam is not the root cause! I have run half a can or more in my 500 several times with no issues at all! SeaFoam probably did it's job and broke a lot of crap loose in your tank that has made it's way to your carbs.

you can take the remainder and dump it in your lawnmower, mixed fuel for 2 stroke, or whatever else you can find for small motors.

Wow I had planned to buy some this weekend to start using to keep my carbs clean, just as a preventative maintenance thing. I am sorry to hear about what happened, take it easy and chalk it all up to learning. Heck I am glad you posted this, I will not use too much now.

Quote from: Dan02GS on October 02, 2007, 08:34:54 AM
Wow I had planned to buy some this weekend to start using to keep my carbs clean, just as a preventative maintenance thing. I am sorry to hear about what happened, take it easy and chalk it all up to learning. Heck I am glad you posted this, I will not use too much now.

I seriously doubt the seafoam did anything other than what it was suppost to do, clean the intake, valves and cubustion chamber.

Quote from: ohgood on October 02, 2007, 06:35:49 AM
still haven't stated the symptoms you thought required a seafoam treatment....

Sorry.  I wasn't ignoring your request.  I was in a hurry this morning.

I've got about 4000 miles on the bike.  A user here recommended using Sea Foam in the tank because I was experiencing a dead spot in the throttle.  Until the engine is super-warmed up, I have a sputtering engine when the throttle is at about 1/4.  It makes starting in first gear kind of scary.

Thread:  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=37946.0

So now it sounds like something is blocking the system.  I can see fuel in my fuel filter so it may be in the carbs.  I see puffs of white smoke as I crank the engine.  I think I'll check out the spark plugs.

BH

I would start by draining the bowls on the carbs.. as you look at the carbs while they are mounted you see the underside of them.. this is the bowl, it houses the floats (you might need to look at these later, thats why I mention it).  Anyway as you look at the bowls there is a screw on outer side of each.  If you turn this screw in it opens the valve and the fuel that is in the carbs will drain out through the nipple located just under the screw.  I suggest getting some tubing and slipping it over this nipple as there is more fuel in there than you would think.  This way you don't make a mess all over your case.  No new fuel should flow from the tank into the carbs if you have the fuel valve set for on as there is no vacume coming from the carbs (someone verify this please?), once the fuel is drained you can get an idea if any contaimiants where present.  For example you could have some slight surface rust in your tank (it's fairly common) that would have been affected by the seafoam and caused your situation.  If no fuel comes out of the bowls then the I would say there is a blockage after your fuel filter (it sounds like you have an inline filter installed, you might want to make sure you have it's orientation setup correctly as they are designed to flow fuel in one direction).  Let us know what happens.

Assuming everything is working correctly NWDave is correct in that no new fuel is coming in.

^^^

I would love to do this but the screws for both bowls are stripped and will not budge in either direction.

I'm doubtful of it being rust from the tank because the rust shouldn't get through the first filter inside the tank and I also have the inline filter which looks clear.

Anyone thinking I got a bad can of seafoam?  Advance Auto has never heard of this problem.  The bike should fire and smoke like a Kansas City Barbeque even if there is too much in there.  Hell, you can poor this stuff directly into the intake.

BH

Quote from: BassHz on October 02, 2007, 03:12:26 PM
^^^

I would love to do this but the screws for both bowls are stripped and will not budge in either direction.

I'm doubtful of it being rust from the tank because the rust shouldn't get through the first filter inside the tank and I also have the inline filter which looks clear.

Anyone thinking I got a bad can of seafoam?  Advance Auto has never heard of this problem.  The bike should fire and smoke like a Kansas City Barbeque even if there is too much in there.  Hell, you can poor this stuff directly into the intake.

BH

I hate to sound like an ass but people with inline filters have them clog up or have reduced fuel flow through them all the time, I'm just saying check it out and make sure the filter is in the right direction for fuel flow.  Personally I don't run one, but just check there.. thats a good starting point.  As for the stripped screws there are special bits for that.

COol, now we know the symptoms.

SOunds like your bike is just taking a while to warm up. Depending on temperature, and the carb's condition, it can take 5-10 minutes. Riding before that means bucking and uneven throttle response.

When the choke is no longer needed (warm motor) you should be able to pull away smoothly ,and it idle well.

If not, then either you're not getting a good fuel flow (yank that filter !) to the carbs, or you're not getting good mixture (dirty/clogged jets).

Most bikes have a flat spot (lean) until the proper jetting is afixed, assuming you have a different AIR filter and PIPE.

Drain the tank, carbs, and replace the LINES. Check your petcock for flow (THIS PART REALLY SUCKS!) and replace it if necessary. Don't worry about the seafoam.

Also, the screen (think screen, not 'filter') in the tank will not prevent rust. It's for sticks/twigs/boogers that fall in while you're fueling it. Your fuel filter will prevent flow. Your bike's fuel flow is working only on gravity and that ain't much.

The white smoke COULd mean seafoam or water in the lines. Think STEAM. No big deal, but not good for combustion.

Hope we've helped. Again, the seafoam didn't hurt _anything_.

Sea Foam did not kill my bike...I did.

I figured out what the problem is.  Thanks for all of the input anyway.

I'm embarrased to admit what I did but what the hell?  I'm pretty anonymous here so here it goes...






...







...
















I FILLED IT WITH DIESEL FUEL!

I just went to the gas station to see if anyone else reported problems and that's when I discovered my fatal error.  Not that this is a real good excuse but the diesel nozzel on this particular pump is in the same position as regular unleaded on other pumps.  If I tried to do that on my car, it wouldn't have fit in the tank.  I'll have to be more aware of this in the future.

How f**ked am I?  Is this something that only my Suzuki dealer can fix?

BH

wow. lol.