Seafoam vs. Carbon Guard

Guys - I am a first time boat owner and trying to study and read as much as I can to learn what to do. I went into my local marina and ask for some Seafoam. I am read a number of postings here and it seemed that Seafoam was recommended a number of times.

My local guy told me to use Carbon Guard which is manufactured by Evinrude/Johnson. When I asked about Seafoam, he basically stood behind the E&J product.

Just wondering from you guys what do you think? The Carbon Guard is expensive - $19/bottle for 12 oz. The mix is 1 oz of Carbon Guard per 8 gallons of fuel. It should last close to 100 gallons of fuel so when you break it down, probably not that bad cost wise.

I didn't pay that much for it. I got some for about 8 bucks. Switch dealers.

Seriously, Seafoam is good stuff, and you can bet your dealer isn't going to recommend that over something he sells.

Check on Scream and Fly, they like it.

Lockjaw - thanks for the info. I will go out on the Web to see if I can find Carbon Guard any cheaper.

I guess one question I still have - what really is the difference between seafoam and carbon guard? are these basically the same products - just one mfg by Evinrude/Johnston and the other is a competitor....or is there something different in one or the other that makes one better than the other?

The carbon guard is thicker. Seafoam pours out like water, carbon guard is more like a light oil or syrap. At least the bottle of it I have is thick.

I also think the carbon guard is sort of a preventative, the seafoam removes what is already there.

If I was smart, I would just use the good BRP oil and be done with it, but I have good info on the Penn Semi-syn, its supposed to be the same as Merc oil.

Is there a problem using both Seafoam and Carbon Guard?

Dan

Lockjaw - I have started to use the Evinrude/Johnson motor oil - right now XD50. I bought this boat used earlier this year, and once I finish for the season, plan to drain the existing oil and move to the XD100.

I have the same question as Dan - can both Seafoam and Carbon Guard be used? If seafoam gets rid of what is already there....and carbon guard prevents - sounds like if I have a 1992 motor, could see the benefits of both of these products.

Seafoam will get rid of the built-up carbon and when used continually in recommeded amounts, will prevent further build-up...

I use both at the same time. One of the things I noticed on mine is there was some sort of varnish on the inside of the OMS housing where the fuel filter goes, and I have cleaned it up as much as possible, however seafoam goes where no finger can. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/roll.gif

I asked my dealer if they planned to carry the BRP oil in bulk and he said no, so I am not sure if I will ever convert. I might use the Merc in bulk. I just hate to pay 20 bucks a gallon for oil when I have a regular carb outboard. I guess that isn't to bad considering I don't use a lot of oil, but.... I think the Penn Semi synthetic is pretty good stuff.

The guy who clued me into it is a well respected outboard hop up guy, so I trust him to shoot straight with me.

$20 a gallon adds up after a while. The Penn Synthetic stuff is $12/gallon at the Walmart by me. I am very new at all of this - first time boat owner. Still trying to figure my way around the motor, the prop, and everything else that is on this boat....let alone which brand of oil to use.

That is what I use. I can get it for about 10 bucks a gallon at Academy. I bought the 2.5 gallon jug the other day for 27 bucks or so.

There has also been some talk on S&F about the full synthetics causing some piston siezing problems in other motors, ie black ones that are higher revving then your normal bass engine. I think that has to do with ring material and bore type though.

If I/you had an e-tec, then I would run the BRP oil especially while under warranty. Other then that I think the Penn Semi is good stuff. My brother in law uses it in his boat to, with a FS 150 with no problems as well.

Lockjaw - so if I am current running BRP oil...non-synthetic, and want to start to move towards the Penn Syn, I think I need to drain out what I have in there and start fresh - probably with a new oil filter - would you agree?