Due to real life events (layoffs, friends and relatives in ICU) , I have not had time last year to do the usual upkeep on things as I should normally.Pulled out the generator, starts at full choke after a number of pulls, and surges at no load. Add 750 watts... still surges. Add 1500 watts, smooths out, and after 2-3 hours, when the load is removed, the generator works fine (econ switch on or off.)Had a friend of mine rebuild the carburetor. Not sure how thorough a job he did, though. Since I started a new job, and in the process of cleaning a lot of stuff out, (not to mention a renaissance faire), I don't have the time and table space to rebuild the thing myself, which is why I'd just buy a replacement, Onan-style, rather than try a rebuild.So, before I pay the three C-notes to buy a new carb assembly, is it worth tossing four ounces of Seafoam in the tank with a gallon of gas, and letting it run, or would that just waste fuel?

You have to be careful with Seafoam as it can wash down the cylinders if you use to much.Personally I would just pull the carb off and clean it really well. Jets are likely clogged. Shouldn't need a rebuild or any parts

N-Trouble wrote:You have to be careful with Seafoam as it can wash down the cylinders if you use to much.Personally I would just pull the carb off and clean it really well. Jets are likely clogged. Shouldn't need a rebuild or any partsX2 but I've never had a cylinder problem adding Seafoam to the gas.

mlts22 wrote:So, before I pay the three C-notes to buy a new carb assembly, is it worth tossing four ounces of Seafoam in the tank with a gallon of gas, and letting it run, or would that just waste fuel?Yes and no.Seafoam is overpriced for what it is.Berrymans B12 Chemtool is a MUCH better cleaner.Use two ounces per gallon of fuel and let it run only long enough to be sure the mix gets into the carb, maybe 30 minutes. Then let it sit at least overnight. If the problem really is deposits in the carb, that should fix you right up. If the tank wasn't full when you started, fill it up after running.

Overpriced as it may be, it's 2.95C-notes cheaper than a rebuild. I haven't seen any reviews on Chemtool here but there are LOTS of reviews of SeaFoam including me. I'm not sure why you wouldn't give it a shot. personally I go with what I know works.PS- Ive also not heard any issues with cylinder washdown. Its a solvent just like any other. Use it according to directions and this wont be an issue.

I'd try Seafoam. You can buy carbs on EBay under $200.

Worth seafoaming a Yammy 3000 iSE before replacing carb?

Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jan 28, 2016
mlts22 wrote:
it is wise to have the shop get the generator starting on the first pull (or twist of the starter)... then go, item by item, down Yamaha's checklist.

Yes, correct.

My point is that it is NOT wise to do it the other way around; that is, give them a list of the things you want serviced without mentioning the basic problem.

You might be surprised at how many people do that, often from advice garnered in places like this, and then go back to pick it up only to say "But it is still hard to start and surges".....with a bill for several hundred dollars only to find something like a cracked head or that it needs a valve job or rings and is not worth fixing. But you still have a bill for the service that you requested.
John_Joey
Explorer
Jan 28, 2016
Sam Spade wrote:
John&Joey wrote:

I was actually hoping mlts22 would do a follow up.

The odds of him making a reply would have been MUCH higher if you would have addressed the question TO HIM.....or quoted his post. ;)

Appears not to be the case.
mlts22
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
I do appreciate the advice. If the repair place can't get if fixed, why throw good money after bad?

If the SeaFoam treatment doesn't do the job, I'm probably going to recommend fuel additives be used stabilizers, to prevent varnish, as opposed to something which can actually do something about it. For a real cure, it takes pulling the carb, soaking it in solvent, and blasting open the jets with compressed air.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
mlts22 wrote:
For a real cure, it takes pulling the carb, soaking it in solvent, and blasting open the jets with compressed air.

Very often that is not the case.

IF you use a real cleaner with real proven solvents in it.....instead of a product designed to be a stabilizer and just happens to have mild cleaning ability.

Berrymans B12 Chemtool is a good cleaner. Seafoam is not.

You must do what you think is right but tearing the carb apart often is NOT required if you just use a good cleaner.

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Worth seafoaming a Yammy 3000 iSE before replacing carb?

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