When it comes to using a generator, many people know of the troubles that can come from a buildup of excess carbon dioxide in the engine. When extra carbon deposits reduce the engine’s efficiency, Sea Foam is recommended to clean out the deposits. But can Sea Foam damage a generator?
Sea Foam will not damage a generator. Sea Foam is made of organic petroleum-based ingredients such as pale oil, naphtha, and isopropyl alcohol. These are naturally occurring elements in different types of fuel and fuel additives. It will not damage a generator or any other engine.
While Sea Foam’s weird name and effects might cause confusion, Sea Foam is actually very good for your generator and can help it run smoother. Let’s take a deeper look at what Sea Foam is, how to use it, how it can help your generator, and some important safety notes to consider.
Using Sea Foam in a Generator
Since Sea Foam can be used in any device that uses either gasoline or diesel for power, you can use it in a generator. Many generators run on different types of fuel, with some running on:
- Propane
- Natural gas
- Regular gas
- Diesel
Running A Generator Without Fuel Stabilizer: Is It Bad or Not?
If your generator runs on a fuel that is not regular gas or diesel, you shouldn’t use Sea Foam in your engine. Otherwise, it is widely considered safe, and experts even encourage you to clean your generator with it.
Of course, if your generator has never used any form of a fuel additive to clean the chambers, you might find that it’s incredibly dirty. You might experience white smoke and exhaust coming from your generator during use.
If you see this, keep in mind that it’s generally because the Sea Foam is doing a diligent job of removing the excess carbon. The white smoke and exhaust doesn’t mean the Sea Foam is damaging your machine. It isn’t; it’s just cleaning it out. The dirtier your generator is initially, the more likely you’ll see this kind of reaction after adding the product to it.
If you decide to use Sea Foam in your generator, it is recommended that you run the generator through all of the gas and, upon next use, add new fuel. This can help ensure that your generator runs smoothly, and if your generator it’s not frequently used, making sure that fresh fuel is used can help prevent issues that come from bad gas.
Sea Foam: What It Is and How It Works
Sea Foam is a type of motor treatment that works as a fuel additive to help clean your engine. Mechanics have used it for over 70 years, and it’s one of the most trusted engine cleaners on the market.
Sea Foam is made from three primary ingredients. They are:
- Pale oil
- Naphtha
- Isopropyl alcohol
All three of these ingredients are safe to use in engines (including the engine of your generator). Each one has been specially combined with the others to break down excess carbon deposits.
To use the product, you’ll add it to the fuel you use in your engine. In a combustion engine, small amounts of fuel are combined with oxygen into specialized chambers within it. When the air and fuel reach the chamber, a small spark is added, causing a minuscule explosion that moves a piston in the chamber. This movement of the piston is what generates the energy that powers whatever device you’re using.
When Sea Foam is added to your fuel, this makes it so that when the gasoline or other fuel source is pumped into the engine’s chamber, a small amount of this cleaning solution is also pumped into it.
This means that as the Sea Foam enters the chamber, it cleans the channels it goes through. When the fuel is ignited, Sea Foam cleans the chamber itself as well as the exhaust pipe.
Additionally, while the product does a great job cleaning and breaking down excess carbon dioxide, it also serves as a lubricant. This makes it so the pistons in the chamber are able to move with less resistance, thus maximizing efficiency. Between the lubrication, cleaning, and draining aspects, Sea Foam makes your engine work much better.
Using Sea Foam
For routine fuel system maintenance, one can of Sea Foam treats 16 gallons (61 liters) of gas or diesel fuel. If your engine is in need of serious cleaning, or you are working with more than 16 gallons (61 liters) of fuel, you can use more Sea Foam. While you shouldn’t run the engine on solely Sea Foam, you can add more as necessary to help your engine.
To maximize the cleaning effects of Sea Foam, you should add one ounce (29 ml) of Sea Foam per gallon of fresh fuel once every three months.
If you use your engine less frequently, you can likely extend the time between cleanings to six or eight months, but using new fuel every time you use Sea Foam in a piece of equipment that runs with a fuel engine (for example, a generator), is recommended.
Additionally, when using Sea Foam, you can add it directly to the fuel tank. You don’t need to mix the Sea Foam with fuel yourself, as this will occur naturally in the engine itself. The less fuel you have, the more concentrated your cleaning solution will be.
Therefore, if you wanted a really deep clean, you could add Sea Foam to a mostly empty tank. This should be done relatively infrequently, however, particularly if you are using Sea Foam frequently.
You can use this product in any device that uses an engine. This means that, while great for generators, you could also use it in your vehicle, lawn maintenance devices, and other fuel-powered devices.
Safety Considerations When Using Sea Foam
Sea Foam is a high-quality fuel additive that can be safely used in most gasoline and diesel-powered engines. However, like other products used in engine maintenance, there are some safety concerns to be aware of when using.
If Sea Foam is ingested by any means, it can be incredibly dangerous. Don’t leave children or animals unsupervised with Sea Foam, and never consume it.
Additionally, Sea Foam can cause skin and eye irritation. Be sure to wash off any Sea Foam you get on your skin. If you get it on your clothes, wash your clothes before the next time you wear them. Generally, Sea Foam isn’t dangerous to touch, so, unless you experience uncommon symptoms, don’t worry too much about it.
If you get Sea Foam in your eyes, wash it out immediately and get medical attention.
Furthermore, this product is highly flammable, so don’t keep it in incredibly hot climates or areas near fire as it is likely to ignite. Sea Foam is generally not pressurized, so there’s no need to be concerned about changes in pressure related to it. When not using, be sure to keep Sea Foam stored in a secure location.
Regarding the health and safety of your engine, consult the seller or a mechanic to ensure that usage is safe. While Sea Foam has not caused damage to engines in the past when used correctly, all engines work differently, so consult a professional with experience using Sea Foam or working with engines to ensure that you can safely use Sea Foam in your device’s engine.
Final Thoughts
Sea Foam is a great engine cleaner that can be added to gasoline or diesel fuel to clean your engine. Sea Foam works to clean out excess carbon that comes from the exhaust of fuel. Using Sea Foam regularly can help to keep your engine, and your generator, nice and clean.
Sea Foam should be used with new fuel but shouldn’t be used as a replacement for fuel. Sea Foam can be dangerous if ingested or if it makes contact with the eyes. In either case, seek medical attention immediately.