I've been running Ringfree in my Yamaha HPDI 300 since day one. I've never heard of seafoam before.. what's the difference and does Yamaha approve of it? My 300 runs beautifully, and has since day one... my mechanic says my engine is in terrific shape.. like brand new and keep running the Ringfree. Comments?
I've been using Ring Free since i bought my boat (250 HPDI) and never had a problem (knock on wood) But i hear the Seafoam is cheaper.
I am having the powerhead replaced on my 2004 HPDI as we speak. I plan on running Ring Free after I get the boat back. I have already purchased a bottle and was reading the instructions on the bottle last night, it said to run 1 oz. for every 10 gallons of fuel. OK, this question may reach to a new level of stupidity, but how or what do you guys use to measure exactly 1 oz.?
There was a tip on another forum saying an easy way is to take a bottle of Stabil (fuel stabilizer 32oz.) and put the contents in another container. Clean the bottle with gas and fill with Ringfree and keep in your boat. The spout on the bottle indicates how much your using in ounces. I just started using this method and works great but like i said i read this from the tip forum, not my idea.
Funny, as I was just thinking of doing the opposite...changing from Seafoam to Ringfree! I have been running Seafoam and my engine runs awesome, but since the manual calls for Ringfree I was thinking of switching. Plus, those that think Seafoam is cheaper are not running it at the ratio it states on the back of the bottle but rather running it at the same ratio that Ringfree calls for. If you read the instructions on Seafom it says to run 1oz per 1 gallon of gas (1:1)! Since Ringfree calls for 1oz per 10 gallons (1:10) of gas it is the cheaper solution.
I read all the threads on this webpage and it appears a lot of guys are just running the Seafoam at 1:10 but that is not following the instructions....if you are going to run it I would think you would want to run it like the bottle instructs.
With all that being said, I am probably going to switch to Ringfree. If the engine doesn't appear to run as well, I will just switch back
Oh yea, I bought a large ratio measuring bottle at Walmart (saw them at my skeeter dealer as well) that I just poor my Seafoam into. It holds about 36oz if I remember correctly and has measuring lines down the side. The bottle also wedges nicely in behind one of my batteries beside the gas tank in the back of my 20i. I have read that guys use baby bottles, old stabil bottles as was suggested, or other bottles that they have measured and marked up with 1oz lines.
I run Ring Free in my HPDI although I have tried Sea Foam. Ring Free is a lot thicker, almost light a light viscosity oil whereas Sea Foam is more like a solvent. I can't say that one is better than the other but I like the consistency of the Ring Free more and the treatment calls for less per gallon of gas. So even though Ring Free is a lot more money per bottle that bottle will last much longer. Plus if you are under warranty and throw a rod it would be much harder for them to point the finger at something you did if you were running Ring Free and Yamalube just as they suggest. Not saying they can void your warranty for using Sea Foam and any other TCW3 oil because they can't but it just makes things easier.
Hey Guys,
I have another question for you. My mechanic says that the fuels being sold in the US today are of very poor quality when it comes to lifespan. He says that most gasoline will start to break down after just 15 days and after 30 days they will be to point where they are likely to cause damage to your motor. With all of that considered, he recommends running a fuel stabilizer in your tanks all of the time, because you never know when your boat is going to sit for a couple of weeks or more between uses. He also said that Ring Free was not a fuel stabilizer in any way shape or form. He said that it was almost 100% techroline and was only intended as an engine cleaner. He recommended running Ring Free in addition to another product such as Stabil for fuel stabilization.
Seafoam is said to be both a fuel stabilizer and an engine cleaner. If this is the case, wouldn't Seafoam be a much better choice since it offers an added benefit that is not found in Ring Free?
Depends on how often you run your boat.....he is correct that Ringfree is not a fuel stabilizer and SeaFoam is. If you run your boat 1-2 times a month, then you shouldn't need a stabilizer...or at least only if you plan on putting your boat up for the winter or something.
You would have to run the numbers.....if you are worried about your fuel, then price out Ringfree/Stabil at 10:1 and Seafoam at 1:1.
You don't need exactly an ounce. I just guestimate it and try to stay on the generous side.
The 1oz to 1gal is a shock treatment, you still run 1oz to 10gal for maint use! of both ring free and sea foam.
Not trying to start a debate, would actually like to just get this clarified...here are the instructions pasted from the Seafoam website:
SEA FOAM MOTOR TREATMENT for Gas Engine Applications
When Added to Fuel Tank
Cleans fuel injectors and carburetor jets
Cleans carbon as you drive
Lubricates upper cylinders
De-ices and removes moisture
Diesel full conditioner and anti gel
Stabilizes fuel
One pint treats 8-25 gallons of fuel (average 1 ounce per gallon)."
I read that as 1oz per 1 gallon...it says nothing about this being for shock treatment. Actually, they have other rules for that. If I am reading this wrong and it is actually supposed to be 1oz to 1 gallon, then it would certainly save me some money!
I have a 150 VMAX, would it work the same as it does on fuel injected motors ?
Marvin
I have used Ringfree since day one and just had my oil pump changed for that bad pump recall and the mechanic said I have 120 lbs of compression per cylinder. I have had no problems at all with my engine either (knock on wood). I also always run a gas stabilizer (usualy Mercury) to treat the poor fuel being sold these days. I use a small measuring cup I bought at WalMart and it works great.
Dumb question, where do you get ring free?
Curtis deCarion \'11 Z521 MERCURY 250 PRO XS
get in your wife's cooking drawing and rob a tablespoon measurer. 2 tbsp equals one once.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fishercurtis »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dumb question, where do you get ring free?
YOU are not entitled to what I have earned!!!!!
2014 Phoenix 619 Pro / 2014 Mercury 200 Pro XS
Don, what oil pump recall are you talking about?? I have a 2006 20i w/250hpdi and have not heard about any recall!!
Thanks, John.
John, jump over to the Yamaha board and you can read all about it. Basically any 3.3 motor 200-300 with a certain p/n on the oil pump arm needs an updated oil pump. Your dealer will be able to tell you if yours is affected. Yamaha did no mailing to customers, so it can't be that serious.
Russ
My Uncle is a retired jet mechanic (Air Force.). I asked him about Sea Foam a few years ago... got A+ eval from him... my info indicates SF does some carb removal also while RF is an upper cylinder lubricant... so I use both... RF always and SF 4x a year... Advance Auto has good prices... also some big quantities (like a gallon buy of SF saves major dollars)... I came across that plus some $100 buy of RF with free shipping... go in with a couple of buddies and save major there also...like $2 a bottle!
2018 Z19/200 Optimax 2 stroker 24x3 Fury Ultrex 112
Lowrance HDS 12/9 Lives with AT 2
This may be another stupid question - but if you're running Yammie 2M oil, does it not also contain Ringfree? I seem to recall actually reading the label on the 2M and I got the impression it contains Ringfree.
Johnjay51
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