Recommendations for a carb cleaner additive?

[Hmmmmark]

Managed to fix 90% of my fueling problems by pulling the darn carbs apart and cleaning as best I could with the tools I had, but it's still running a bit lean (i think).

I'm thinking about giving them a good flush with a carb cleaner additive just for extra peace of mind and to catch what I couldn't before changing out the oil and taking it in for a valve clearance check.

Folks overseas always talk about that Seafoam shit, but that doesn't appear to be available here, any suggestions?

Found these as a starting point:
Valvoline Fuel Injector/Carby Cleaner (http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Valvoline-Fuel-Injector-Carby-Cleaner-2-x-350mL.aspx?pid=19118&menuFrom=60402#Cross)
Prestone Fuel System Cleaner (http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Prestone-Fuel-System-Cleaner-473mL.aspx?pid=121484#Cross)

As opposed to this which is twice the price Motul Fuel System Clean (http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/890-motul_engine_cleaners/5267-motul_moto_fuel_system_clean.aspx)

[cs363]

Managed to fix 90% of my fueling problems by pulling the darn carbs apart and cleaning as best I could with the tools I had, but it's still running a bit lean (i think).

I'm thinking about giving them a good flush with a carb cleaner additive just for extra peace of mind and to catch what I couldn't before changing out the oil and taking it in for a valve clearance check.

Folks overseas always talk about that Seafoam shit, but that doesn't appear to be available here, any suggestions?

Found these as a starting point:
Valvoline Fuel Injector/Carby Cleaner (http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Valvoline-Fuel-Injector-Carby-Cleaner-2-x-350mL.aspx?pid=19118&menuFrom=60402#Cross)
Prestone Fuel System Cleaner (http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Prestone-Fuel-System-Cleaner-473mL.aspx?pid=121484#Cross)

As opposed to this which is twice the price Motul Fuel System Clean (http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/890-motul_engine_cleaners/5267-motul_moto_fuel_system_clean.aspx)


All the stuff you can buy from Repco, Supercheap, local gas station etc., is basically shit/snake oil so don't even bother.
I have had (very) limited success in the past with Seafoam and to be honest I think that result was down to other factors, backed up by reading the ingredients (buy it here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/performance/other/auction-705397744.htm) but by far the best I've used is Redline Si-1 (buy here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/oil-additives/auction-705907449.htm)

Do a bit of research with Google and you'll find that any fuel system cleaner that actually works contains Polyether Amine and the higher the amount the better, Techron Concentrate is highly rated by most US car and bike forums but isn't available here as far as I can tell, Caltex only offer it in their fuel but in much less concentrated amounts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Techron)

4th post here: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1865221 has some good info.

Worth a crack and of course 'results may vary' depending on the actual issue, and it must be said that nothing beats actually pulling the carbs apart and giving them a proper clean, however the Redline additive did make a big difference to my CBX when it was being a bit of a reluctant starter from sitting a while and it sure beat pulling the carbs off and apart on that particular beast!(it was only firing up on a few cylinders - CBX carbs are notorious for having very fine/easily blocked idle circuits) so if your willing to gamble a few bucks give it a go.

Edit: Added the material data sheets for each product to give you further info.

[ducatilover]

What makes you say it's running lean? No need to use seafoam on your engine.

[Hmmmmark]

All the stuff you can buy from Repco, Supercheap, local gas station etc., is basically shit/snake oil so don't even bother.

Dude, superb info, thanks so much for taking the time to write that up! I ended up buying some Valvoline stuff from Supercheap - so that's potentially a few $$ wasted, but these are the lessons :)


What makes you say it's running lean? No need to use seafoam on your engine.

There's still a lack of upper end power; the bike is relatively happy to get up to ~100kph (though still with less pep than previously), but it struggles to get to 110 and above, or even maintain 100 up a hill.

[cs363]

What makes you say it's running lean? No need to use seafoam on your engine.

Just to clarify for those interested - I believe the OP was enquiring about Seafoam as a carb/fuel system cleaner which is what my answer was based on.
However Seafoam is also used as a combustion chamber cleaner and also an oil additive to clean varnish deposits in the engine amongst other uses: http://seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-motor-treatment/ Whilst the prebvious link applies to the most common Seafoam product (Seafoam Motor Treatment) they also make a bunch of other products: http://seafoamsales.com/

[ducatilover]

There's still a lack of upper end power; the bike is relatively happy to get up to ~100kph (though still with less pep than previously), but it struggles to get to 110 and above, or even maintain 100 up a hill.

Is this your Hornet?
I'd be looking for intake leaks and checking the burn on the plugs before throwing any additives down it

[caspernz]

Use a couple of tankfuls of either BP 98 or Mobil Synergy 8000, that stuff has a decent detergent quality, better than the snake oil shite you buy at any auto parts store.

[FJRider]

Dude, superb info, thanks so much for taking the time to write that up! I ended up buying some Valvoline stuff from Supercheap - so that's potentially a few $$ wasted, but these are the lessons :)



There's still a lack of upper end power; the bike is relatively happy to get up to ~100kph (though still with less pep than previously), but it struggles to get to 110 and above, or even maintain 100 up a hill.



If the Valvoline doesn't make a difference ... check the filter at/in the tank outlet. Check any inline filters (and if it hasn't one ... FIT one).

Also check the fuel pump (if it has one) for both blockages and operation. Nothing man made lasts forever ... and this does include fuel pumps.

Try turning the fuel off ... removing the carb drain plugs and flushing them by turning the key/fuel on again ...

A blocked air filter will cause your problems too ...

Quick/easy fixes are seldom cheap ... and often don't actually work.

[hayd3n]

SOnic Clean the fukka