Seafoam or Star-Tron

[Justbass11]

Went to a Boat show and bought a 2003 Triton TR 185, more on that later. My question is this, Which do you all prefer more Sea-foam or Star-tron fuel treatment and how often to you use it?

[ww2farmer]

I use both. A little bit of Star-tron every time I put gas in the boat, and Seafoam once a month, OR if I have been out in a lot of wet/damp weather. In the fall when the nights are cool/cold and the days are warm I put Seafoam in a little more often. I make sure before tha boat is put up for the winter, the gas has been treated with both AND is the one time all year long I go out of my way to use ethanol free gas. I have not had any issues since switching to this method over Sta-bil.

[BassnChris]

I have always used Startron.

Now I use Startron and quickleen for my Mercury.

[Wayne P.]

I use Seafoam all the time. Don't need any extra stuff anytime.

[fishnkamp]

I use both.  I use StarTron with every fill up. It's purpose is to help eliminate the problems of ethanol fuel attracting water and causing fuel water separation.  Ethanol causes all kinds of fuel line issues as well as carb/injection issues.  The Sea Foam is more for keeping fuel passages clean.  Both are great products but are designed to handle different jobs.

[Wayne P.]

1 minute ago, fishnkamp said:

I use both.  I use StarTron with every fill up. It's purpose is to help eliminate the problems of ethanol fuel attracting water and causing fuel water separation.  Ethanol causes all kinds of fuel line issues as well as carb/injection issues.  The Sea Foam is more for keeping fuel passages clean.  Both are great products but are designed to handle different jobs.

Seafoam does the same with ethanol fuels. Read the label. It decarbons also. Read the label.

[fishnkamp]

Funny thing, I have read the label! Thank you.  I found an interesting section in my old 25 hp Merc owners manual.  It advised the operator to use either their fuel treatment or StarTron when using Ethanol.  Now Mercury Marine is not in the habit of advertising for other manufacturer's, so I suspect Merc has some financial arrangement with StarBrite ( the manufacturer of StarTron).  Perhaps they make the fuel treatment that Mercury sells?  Anyway  I have used StarTron in every tank of fuel I have burned thru that 25 hp and now every tank I have burned thru the 75 Merc hanging on the back of my Lowe Stinger.  Both engines have performed well, so I am satisfied with the results.

[tander]

I run ethanol free gas and use Sea Foam every 4th tank.

[BrianSnat]

I use Star Tron and Marine Stabil.   

[BassThumb]

Ethanol-free gas and a very mild, continuous mix of Seafoam, Startron, Lucas, and Marine Stabil has been very kind to my motor over the years. By "mild", I mean adding maybe 10-20% of the recommended dose because these products have similar purposes  

Every so often I'll run a stronger mix for a trip and spend more time running wide open that day. Then I'll add more gas to dilute the mix. 

[Matt LeBlanc]

Best way to manage fuel is DON'T buy E-10! Avoid Ethanol. Keeping in mind that isn't always available, Star-tron was developed for Ethanol fuel and Sea-foam was developed in the 50's. I use to use Sea-foam but now recommend star-tron. I work in a small gas engine shop and see the issues fuel causes. I don't believe either will "Cure" ethanol issues but the star-tron is a cleaner, conditioner, stabilizer and water conditioner. It breaks down the water so it eliminates water/fuel separation. Nothing will stop the Ethanol from absorbing water from the air so best case situation is don't buy it. 

[TOXIC]

Some of us don't have access to non corn fuel on a regular basis and its a no-no to mix the 2.  I have a LOT of $$ tied up in my 250 hp  yamaha and it's got close to 500 hours on it.  I also know an engineer who religiously studies MSDS sheets for anything he puts in his motor.  His opinion is that the additives are all some form of snake oil and he just keeps his fuel fresh and runs 10% corn gas.  He has never had a fuel related problem in 40 years of boating.  He also is very anal about maintenance.  I use what Yamaha recommends and stay up to date on fuel/filters and maintenance and use common sense warm up/cool down and propping my motor correctly.  

 

And keep my fingers crossed because at the end of the day that's about all you get as far as whether or not your motor lets go.  

[jbmaine]

Use star-tron in everything, boat gas, mower gas etc. never had a problem.

[TOXIC]

Forgot to mention I do use Ring Free because Yamalube has a habit of running dirty (which isn't a bad thing).  

[Troy85]

There is a gas station near my house that has Ethanol free.  I always use that and probably put a bottle of seafoam in my tank about once every 6 months.

[A-Jay]

Been happy with this product - 

 

A-Jay

[NHBull]

Star-tron with every fill up. Seafoam once a month

[rboat]

Seafoam in all my small engines for many years, and never have had a problem.

[Slade House]

They sell Sea Foam at Autoparts stores,  so I don't use either,  sea foam = placebo.  On my 2 stroke i clean my fuel lines and carbs every few years with an air compressor.  just get some zip ties and boom

[Way north bass guy]

I run non-ethanol in my boat all year, it’s pretty east to find around here. Usually don’t put much in it through the summer but once fall hits I start using fuel treatment, mostly just to make sure it’s through the entire system for winter storage. I also make sure the last tank of the year is topped up and has storage treatment. Never once had any fuel issues in anything for over 20 years of owning boats and small engines. 

Ive been using this for the last few years and it seems to work well for me. 

[Maggiesmaster]

The fact is that ethanol gas has 10% ethanol added. At this concentration, NO amount of any additive will do much good. The best course of action is always use fresh gas, and change non-ethanol gas at least every six months or monthly for ethanol gas. I realize this is a big PITA, but so is missing a good fishing trip due to a fouled carb, plus the big repair bill. 

[scbassin]

I use non ethanol in my boat every time & put a can of Sea Foam in each tank also. My car runs on 93 octane & I also add a can of Sea Foam every fill up. My Truck is a diesel & I put 2 cans of Sea Foam in on a fill up. Around here WalMart carries Sea Foam for between $ 6 & 7 bucks. I buy it from Amazon by the case it's a bit cheaper.It keeps my engines cleaner.