Sea Foam brings another one back

I had been having trouble getting my Wheel Horse 525 to start. When we were in Wisconsin it lived in a nice heated building and started easy, not so here in Iowa when it sleeps in an unheated shed. Most of last year I had to put the battery tender on it and gave it a toot of either or run the propane construction heater and a fan to warm it up, then think good thoughts to get it started. I tried changing plugs but the old plugs came out with a lot of aluminium on the threads I cleaned the threads out in the heads and did manage to get the new plugs in and seated, still not real good at starting. I meant to take the heads off this summer and get inserts in them and check out the valve seat situation but with my Mom passing, a few of the vehicles we're driving throwing temper tantrums and being shorthanded at work that didn't get done. First snow fall this year and it was difficult to start and I was back to either and battery chargers. It's got a Japanese carburetor on it and I'm told the rebuild kit is over $100. Well I filled the gas cans up with 92 octane ethanol free unleaded, filled it up and dumped the last of a can of Sea Foam into the tank. She started up this morning without any starting aids and idles better than it has since it came to me. Now I have to pace myself and make sure I get one of the Cub Cadets well enough this spring to handle the lawn duties so I can give the Wheel Horse the attention it needs.

What is a 525 Wheel Horse, I have a 518 and a520 then a couple more, don't now what a 525 is.

You must have a super rare Horse because the model 525 doesn't show up anywhere. LOL

Pure gasoline will cold start easier than the alky blends. Also In my experience when engine otherwise runs fine 9 out of 10 cold start problems are either choke plate is not being pulled fully closed or carburetor is loose or bad gasket suckling air. That being said can't argue with tractor now starts after Seafoam added. I have not had personal experience with it fixing anything.

Whether it's Seafoam or Berrymans (my preference) or acetone or benzine or whatever, I think SOME of it working is due to cleaning some of the crud. The rest might be increased volatility of the fuel. Got me, all I know is sometimes the "Mechanic In A Can" helps.

I have never had an alcohol related fuel issue in any large or small engine.

(quoted from post at 23:43:44 01/11/16) I have never had an alcohol related fuel issue in any large or small engine.

Click to expand...

Consider yourself lucky. It's gotten to the point I will not run ethanol mix gasoline in any of my small engines unless I have no choice. Running 91 non-ethanol reduces by at least 75% the issues I've had such as swelled or gummy fuel lines, clogged filters and carb passages, that bullet proof varnish that coats everything and of course swelled fuel caps on older equipment.

Just because one person doesn't have an issue with a product does not automatically mean no one else will.

I've become a firm believer in Sea Foam. I put some in every fuel tank on the place.

I bought a Wheel Horse C-121 this summer that didn't want to idle but would run OK at full throttle but was still a little rough. I didn't have time to tear into the carb so I added a healthy dose of Sea Foam and ran it for several minutes and then let it sit for a few days.

The next time I started it the ol' Horse ran smooth and idles perfectly.

On a side note, I only use non-ethanol gas in all my engines that don't get used on a daily basis.

E nothing gas isn't available around me, except racing gas that's $7.50 a gallon. E10 is the best I can do.

When E10 first came to our area I used itt in everything I owned. Never had a problem. That is until a few years ago. Now I stay away from it like a plague. Seafoam does a nice job in cleaning out dirty carbs. I put it in my tanks as part of general maintenance. Keeps things running smoothly.

I have used Seafoam since an old tractor expert recommended it. Just for my own curiosity, how much do you use in a gallon of gas?

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

I dont know what a 525 is either.LOL maybe a 552?

Ive used as much as 1/2 quart of Seaform in a gallon on engines that arent running right... Ive also poured it directly into the carb with the engine running... it will smoke alot but it doesnt hurt anything.