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It seems that most start problems I have with my Toro mower have to do with the carburetor gumming up. Is there a good gas treatment that I could continually use that will help to ensure the carburetor stays clean? Thanks

What i do for my stuff is to install a fuel shutoff valve between the carb and gas tank, like this, when i'm done mowing, fir the mower up, turn off the valve,
Now that still probably leaves a little bit of fuel in the jets and passages in the carb, but i've been storing my cub like that since 2010 with no running issues, even on the first start after sitting all winter, however, i also drain the gas tank.... either use it up cutting leaves out of the way, or siphon it out into your car. always start with fresh fuel.
On my push mower i've been using Star Tron fuel treatment, and it's worked to keep it from varnishing too bad, it usually surges for a few seconds then clears up.
But the BEST thing to do? if you can, purchase ethanol free gas.

Non ethanol gas is the best treatment.

If you are using good fuel, that has not been sitting around for more than 30 days, you should not have any problems. If this is the case I would recommend you go to a different supplier. Good ethanol fuel will not breakdown within 30 days.

Rivets said:

If you are using good fuel, that has not been sitting around for more than 30 days, you should not have any problems. If this is the case I would recommend you go to a different supplier. Good ethanol fuel will not breakdown within 30 days.

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I’m using fuel without ethanol and I’m treating it with stabilizer even though it’s not sitting around for months. I was wondering if using Sea Foam occasionally was also beneficial for small engines?

Some people swear by it and some swear at it. Use of fuel stabilizer or different oils has been debated here many times. I hope this doesn’t start another one.

Rivets said:

Use of fuel stabilizer or different oils has been debated here many times. I hope this doesn’t start another one.

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Was that a challenge?
?

I hope not.

Sea foam was originally for 2 smokers. That farm life guy on youtube did a video on it. Not impressive at all. Well the smoke show is impressive. I can add transmission fluid to all my mowers and do the same thing. Even put my used oil in them and smoke up the neighborhood for FREE. Great way to recycle.

slomo

Heard recently you got to watch out for those drying fuel additives too. ?

slomo

Rickcin said:

It seems that most start problems I have with my Toro mower have to do with the carburetor gumming up. Is there a good gas treatment that I could continually use that will help to ensure the carburetor stays clean? Thanks

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I use Seafoam at the suggested rate of one ounce per gallon, in addition to non-ethanol gas in my two stroke engines and four strokes. For a shock type treatment, use 3-4 ounces per gallon.

BTBO said:

I use Seafoam at the suggested rate of one ounce per gallon, in addition to non-ethanol gas in my two stroke engines and four strokes. For a shock type treatment, use 3-4 ounces per gallon.

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Other than lightening up your wallet and making a lot of smoke, what does it actually do?

At 3-4 times recommended or even proper dosage, you are adding oil (Seafoam) to the fuel, lowering horsepower and torque. Where is the benefit? And if that doesn't burn out all the way, you get more carbon buildup on the valves and such.

Like I stated before, Seafoam was originally brought to the market for 2 smoke engines.

slomo

Seafoam in everything using pump gas. Saved me on many a Spring startup. Before that I always had a problem and I have many seasonal gas powered items to live with. Eight bucks a can is far less than rebuilding kits and time wasted.

I'll 2nd the Startron usage that scrubcadet10 advised , have used it since ethanol fuel came into existence . I find Seafoam a very effective solvency benefit when used prior to an oil change in your oil . Also very effective when used to clean your intake plenum for auto usage . Remove your pcv hose run vehicle at high idle and pour half a can into the hose . Do it at nite ( excessive smoke) to prevent the epa agents running to your driveway lol. Really smooths out any rough idle , sluggish acceleration , improves fuel consumption also . I find additives used properly & periodically can benefit overall engine performance .

slomo said:

Heard recently you got to watch out for those drying fuel additives too. ?

slomo

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Heard rumours of excessive use of Seafoam causing premature engine gasket or seal failures , something inferred to chlorine additives or content having a contributing cause ?

Like several others here, Seafoam.

Had a snowblower that wouldn't idle. Dead of winter so tearing down a carb was out of the question. So I put a strong dose of Seafoam in the gas and ran the blower to get the Seafoam into thd carb. The let it sit for two days. Still wouldn't idle. Let it sit for more days, one week total. Purred like a kitten at idle after that. Seafoam slowly dissolved to clog(s) and opened the jets.

Swear by the stuff, use some in every 5 gal tank fill up. (Inc. a dose of Sta-Bil).

Rickcin said:

I was wondering if using Sea Foam occasionally was also beneficial for small engines?

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Scotty is not a fan....

Tyy said:

I'll 2nd the StarTron usage that scrubcadet10 advised...

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I'm also a StarTron fan for maybe 15 years now. I add it to the big cans that make the trip to the gas station. That way it works its way into all my blowers, trimmers, tillers, chain saws and mowers. I have never had fuel issues, nor have the carbs been apart. And I buy the cheapest fuel (with ethanol) at the cheapest stations for my yard equipment.

It stabilizes and cleans. I add 2-3 tablespoons to a 5 gallon can.

Back in the vaudiaville days there was a comic routine about elephant repellant.
Basically one comedian came in to find the other spraying the room .
What is that ?
Elephant repellant ?
But there are no elephants in New York city
That proves just how well it works .

Or some thing like that.

There are dozens of factors involved .
If something like sea foam was UNIVERSALLY applicable then one of the fuel companies would blend it in to their fuels so they could claim their fuel will last for 10 years & make your vehicle run better .

However it is not.

My workshop is 400 yards from the landlords shed
We fill out motorcycles from the same hose from the same pump an the way home.
If we don't go riding for a month, my bike will start first kick, his will not start .

So all of these testimonials from devoted followers of whatever brew they use is about as much of a proof as all those athletic people who have trained hard all their life telling you the lattest fat burning machine will give every body washboard abbs just like theirs .

According to its SDS, it looks like the miracle ingredients in Seafoam are 'Petroleum distillates' (kerosene) and isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol).

Per the current MSDS, Seafoam is approximately 50% Pale Oil, 30% Naphtha, and 20% Isopropyl Alcohol.

At the end of the Fall season I use seafoam @ 1oz per gallon and early Spring @ .5oz per gallon. Even with using e10 in the past for years I never had an carb issue since. My Toro was in storage for a year + and when I got it out it was running like crap. Threw in some seafoam and rode around for about 10 minutes then parked for a few days. Next time I fired it up it ran like a champ - even to this day still running smooth. Some hate it but it works for me.

Sea Foam is good stuff to remove water from the system. If I get one in with water in the system just clean the water out of the tank. Take the fuel line off put in a new fuel filter and fill it with seam foam deep creep never have to clean the carb of or drain the bowl.