Article: Fall Transition

3 KEY TERMS & TIPS for Preparing Engines and Fuel Systems for Long-Term Storage*:

*By long-term storage, we mean any fuel that won’t be utilized within 30 days from fuel purchase at the pump.

#1 STABILIZE YOUR FUEL

Adding Sea Foam Motor Treatment helps fuel to resist evaporation, preserves ignition vapors, and prevents the formation of gum and varnish in fuel systems. Gum and varnish residues (oxidized fuel) are the most common cause of poor engine function.

STORAGE STEPS:

  1. Run the tank to very low before storing, then add 1 to 2 ounces of Sea Foam for each gallon the tank holds.
  2. With the high concentration in the fuel, run the engine for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the treated fuel to work its way through the intake and upper engine before storing.
  3. Fill the tank with fresh fuel after running the high concentration into the upper engine.
  4. Remove spark plugs and spray the cylinder cavities with Sea Foam Spray or Deep Creep before storing.

TIP: Don’t wait until it’s too late!  Immediately treat any fresh fuel that could potentially reside in a storage container or engine fuel system for longer than 30 days.

 

#2 PREVENT and CONTROL MOISTURE in FUEL

Small amounts of moisture in fuel can be corrosive to fuel system components. Be aware that ethanol-blended fuels will absorb water vapor or attract water condensation that can form inside a fuel tank’s airspace. Sea Foam adds protective lubricity to fuel and helps to solubilize small amounts of moisture in fuel.

STORAGE TIP:

  • Be aware that ethanol-blended fuels will draw water vapor from the surrounding air or attract water condensation inside a tank caused by daily temperature variations.  Treat the fuel when it’s fresh and minimize the amount of air space in a fuel container or tank by filling before storage.

FUEL PHASE SEPARATION occurs when the alcohol in blended fuel can no longer absorb and suspend the water within the petroleum phase.  The separation event happens when the denser alcohol and water mixture separates from the petroleum phase and drops underneath to the bottom of the tank.

BE AWARE: No fuel treatment can resolve direct water contamination or fuel phase separation.  Any fuel contaminated with water is ruined and should be removed immediately.

 

#3 CLEAN and LUBRICATE YOUR FUEL SYSTEM

Clean and protect the intake, injectors, seals, chambers and pistons. Whether a carburetor or injection system, Sea Foam delivers petroleum solvency and lubricity all the way through the exhaust stroke. Solvency cleans and lubrication helps to protect system parts from wear, dry out, and moisture intrusion that can cause corrosion or deterioration.

STORAGE TIP:

  • The highest quality storage lubricants are petroleum-based, withstand extremely high engine temperatures, add protection to metal parts, plastic and rubber, and able to demonstrate their ability to break surface tension.
  • We strongly emphasize fogging out gasoline intakes with Sea Foam Spray, then remove each spark plug to coat/lubricate the cylinder cavities with Sea Foam Spray or Deep Creep.  Bad fuel is one thing, but unprotected/dried out engine parts can be costly!

THE BEST FUEL TREATMENT PRODUCTS should always be able to do a few important things exceedingly well.  Quality engine storage products should never cause harm to engine components, must be able to resist varnish formation, add lubricity to fuel and engine parts, protect from corrosion, control manageable amounts of moisture, preserve a fuel’s flashpoint, and clean by dissolving gum and deposits that manifest throughout a fuel system.