Does Armorall really help with foaming??
 

Having some foaming issues on one profile that I can't seem to get rid of with any of the conventional fixes. Did a search here and saw where some guys are putting some armorall in their fuel to solve the problem. Does this really work?? How much do you use and are there any engine damage problems?

RE: Does Armorall really help with foaming??
 

Armorall "Original formula" does work.
I use about half to one full squirt from a spray bottle of it in 5 litres of fuel.
I get a lot of foaming on a couple of my planes if I don't use it. (Yes I know it is because of poor tank installations) those planes just happen to also be profiles.

RE: Does Armorall really help with foaming??
 

I dont think Armorall burns at all! I have heard of guys doing some very weird stuff, but adding Armorall in the fuel just sounds totally bizarre. I think it would detract from the fuels performance just as allowing water to contaminate the glow fuel would do. Once the water content reaches a certain point...which is a very low percentage, like 2 or 3 percent or less...the fuel no longer fires at all.
Beyond all that...the fuel manufacturers...at least the good ones like Morgan Fuels, Omega, and Cool Power...have already added a defoaming agent to their formula. If Armorall worked better...dont you think they'd be using it?
As a final note...I have been hard mounting my fuel tanks for years, and have never had any issues with foaming.
You may have a fuel draw problem, and maybe a perforated fuel line, but the talk about true fuel foaming as the source of a problem seems to be a throwback to the old days when tanks HAD to be mounted on foam rubber to isolate vibrations. A bit like old NiCd batteries of 25 years ago showing what they used to call "memory effect". ...Also now relegated to ancient history.
I wish you luck in tracking down your gremlin, but I'd suggest NOT adding anything to a reliable fuel manufacturers mix.

RE: Does Armorall really help with foaming??
 

Hi Capt Jim
It is not about it burning. It is to do with the silicone oil in it altering the surface tension of the fuel enough to stop foam forming. It is a fact - it works. The percentage used is extremely low - I know a couple of people that just add a few drops - I use the small spray bottle and give it a small squeeze.

You are right - the good fuel manufacturers already add a similar chemical to their fuel for this reason. Unfortunately, we don't all live in the USA where good quality fresh premixed fuel is readily available at sensible prices. I (like many others) mix my own fuels and Armor all is the easiest way to get a reliable supply of small quantities of the anti foaming agent that I need.

Oh how I wish I could buy Fresh Powermaster fuels at a sensible price in Australia but the fact is that the market is so small and spread out there that it is not feasible to do so.

I agree that we often get away with hard tank installations - but the main foaming offender in my fleet is a MoJo 60 with a Saito 100 on the nose and the tank mounted on a pad of foam - even with the engine properly tuned it just rattles that tank away.

RE: Does Armorall really help with foaming??
 

Steve, I had the same problem with my Saito100/Mojo60 combo but I've found that the most effective solution is a sintered bronze clunk. Seems to stop the bubbles from making it into the fuel line and saves you from putting evil silicone into your fuel.

RE: Does Armorall really help with foaming??
 

Omega has anti-foaming agents in it? Sure doesn't seem like it to me. After one squirt of Son-of-a-Gun the foaming is gone and no running issues at all. Been using it for over 5 years.

RE: Does Armorall really help with foaming??
 

have you tried putiing a fuel filter inline from the clunk inside the tank?
Worked on my Lanier Radical profile.
Tank still foams, but the bubbles don't make it to the carb anymore.