How, then, do you explain the results I got? Is it simply the "freshly washed car runs better" syndrom? The change is just too dramatic for that.
My seafoam experience. . . . .
- Thread starter concretejungle
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NaterGator
On Gilligan's Island
You inadvertently fixed a vacuum leak at the same time?
I don't attribute one success as the norm.
I don't attribute one success as the norm.
- Thread starter
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I think if run through the fuel system you could get some cleaning of the injectors. That would make a noticable difference.
I think seafoam might be good for this purpose, but again, I cannot empirically say that it does.
Having your injectors cleaned and tuned properly by a professional does indeed show a significant improvement in engine performance (as well as rebuilding your top end and properly getting rid of carbon build up in the intakes).
-o-
I never had much use for any of the over the counter miracle fluids. I tried some and no of them worked as advetised.
Like mentioned earlier, routine maintenace good gas and oil changes will keep things clean.
I have tried auto tranny fluid in an old engine I was getting ready to rebuild. What I did was mixed a quart of it in the crankcase and drove the truck for about 100 mles. Drained it out, pulled the engine and took it apart. Big difference, did a good job of cleaning the internals. This was an experiment on an older engine that I was rebuilding anyways, don't know if I would try it on a good running engine.
I also heard that pouring small amounts of water down the carb when an engine is running will clear out carbon....
Like mentioned earlier, routine maintenace good gas and oil changes will keep things clean.
I have tried auto tranny fluid in an old engine I was getting ready to rebuild. What I did was mixed a quart of it in the crankcase and drove the truck for about 100 mles. Drained it out, pulled the engine and took it apart. Big difference, did a good job of cleaning the internals. This was an experiment on an older engine that I was rebuilding anyways, don't know if I would try it on a good running engine.
I also heard that pouring small amounts of water down the carb when an engine is running will clear out carbon....
Sea Foam works
Like some of you I am wary of "snake oil" miracle cures for our TLC's. Granted there are some that have had your Cruisers from day one and have used only "good gas". (Not 7-11 stuff). There are many of us that purchase our TLC's from owners that have not taken at least some measures to ensure long, trouble free performance ("good gas", reg. maints, etc...) We love'm just as much.
In addressing some of the maintenance shortcomings of previous owners some products, such as SeaFoam come along and for some reason perform as advertised. Thanks SeaFoam!
Whether or not it is recommended we include SeaFoam or other products as part of our maints regimen can be debatable till Jesus come's back, but for now the jury appears to be in and it appears to be in favor of SeaFoam.
Bottom line, the STUFF WORKS.
Like some of you I am wary of "snake oil" miracle cures for our TLC's. Granted there are some that have had your Cruisers from day one and have used only "good gas". (Not 7-11 stuff). There are many of us that purchase our TLC's from owners that have not taken at least some measures to ensure long, trouble free performance ("good gas", reg. maints, etc...) We love'm just as much.
In addressing some of the maintenance shortcomings of previous owners some products, such as SeaFoam come along and for some reason perform as advertised. Thanks SeaFoam!
Whether or not it is recommended we include SeaFoam or other products as part of our maints regimen can be debatable till Jesus come's back, but for now the jury appears to be in and it appears to be in favor of SeaFoam.
Bottom line, the STUFF WORKS.
Do you work for Seafoam? bump a post months later, with unequivocal support, exclaiming "Thanks SeaFoam!" and "STUFF WORKS."
Seriously?
What is different after you've used it that leads you to believe "the stuff works?" I think I've been guilty in the past of using products I believed "worked" just because I wanted to believe they worked........The only "miracle" product that I can actually say performs miracles (based on direct, personal evidence) is Leatherique.
A couple weeks ago i was attempting to troubleshoot my in-laws 01 Camry with the CEL on. Prior to this I had already changed the EGR valve, and two VSV's and was looking for some expert advice. I had asked a Toyota mechanic about SF. As part of his explaining his trouble shooting techniques, a 10 min conversation, he mentioned a preventive maintenance procedure Toyota recomends called "induction". He said he does it on his vehicle every 15k miles, takes about an hour, three phase gravity fed, timed release and produces a ton of smoke.
It sounded a lot like SF. I inquired about buying it, the parts guy showed me the box but said he couldn't sell it OTC-you have to get the service done. The mechanic also stated he has done it on his Camry every 15k miles, currently his vehicle had 210k miles and he had never changed any emission parts and never had his CEL come on for emission problems.
Maybe someone can speak more intelligent on Toyota's induction service and is/isn't similar to SF?
It sounded a lot like SF. I inquired about buying it, the parts guy showed me the box but said he couldn't sell it OTC-you have to get the service done. The mechanic also stated he has done it on his Camry every 15k miles, currently his vehicle had 210k miles and he had never changed any emission parts and never had his CEL come on for emission problems.
Maybe someone can speak more intelligent on Toyota's induction service and is/isn't similar to SF?
I haven't tested seafoam on my 80, but I have tested it on my 98 Cobra. This miracle solution was rumored to fix a common problem on the 96-98 Cobras. They have secondary intake runners that only open above 3200 rpm. It's a great idea and works well, but after 40k miles they get gummed up with carbon and don't ever open. Everyone and there brother was swearing that Sea Foam would un-stick the secondary runners and clean the carbon from the intake and inake valves. I too jumped on the this band wagon and ran a few bottle through. I was convinced that the smoke pouring from my exhaust was all of the carbon coming out. I was also convinced that it was faster and ran better. I then realized that my car wasn't any faster. I then pulled the top end to clean it up manually. The Seafoam did nothing. I still had tons of carbon. I even poured seafoam directly into the closed intake valves and let it sit for two days, it did nothing. I ended up scrapping the still hard carbon from the intake, intake valves, and secondary runners. Seafoam might have many good uses, but taking hard carbon off of something, it will not work. The myth of Seafoam in the Cobra world has long been busted.
semlin
curmudgeon
afaik, seafoam = naptha which is the active ingredient in techron. they are primarily preventative not curative. they will only do so much with well established carbon even with repeated applications, but if you use them regularly from new they will limit carbon build up.
i also expect they are far less effective with intakes and egr passages as compared to the engine bay.
i also expect they are far less effective with intakes and egr passages as compared to the engine bay.
Bomar
SILVER Star
Sounds like the BG service.
Its been 18 months of no seafoam talk. Just bought 4 cans gonna do my 96 with 345k on it than the princesses 97 lx-450 with 170k. Then post any good or bads about my findings. ttyl
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IIRC, sea foam has 3 ingredients; light oil, naphtha and alcohol. All ingredients of most gasoline, nothing that is magic or particularly effective. If you think that your system needs more lubrication than normal gas comes with, add some light oil, diesel, marvel mystery oil, etc. Naphtha is light hydrocarbon, plenty of these in gas, don't see why more would be needed? If you feel more is needed, simply ad some lighter fluid, Coleman Fuel, lacquer thinner, etc. Alcohol is now in most gas, if you feel more is necessary, adding it is cheap, no problem.
My bet is adding a few ounces to a tank of gas, would have little, zero, effect. Like saying you increased the salinity of the ocean by peeing in it.
All of the ingredients are commonly available and cheap, so if the refinery chemists thought it would be beneficial, would add more of them?
Most carbon, sludge, buildup is due to operating the motor cold, the simple "fix" is to go on more trips, drive it more often fully warmed up. Once deposited, it is difficult to remove, short of disassembly and mechanically or chemical scrubbing.
Sucking liquid into the intake needs to be done with care, it is pretty easy to hydro lock, damage the motor. That said, it is a good way to remove some of the buildup, but don't need boutique products, water is effective on a fully warm motor.
Sea foam is a mix of common/cheap chemicals that aren't likely to cause harm, but also not likely to have any significant benefit, especially over other common chemicals (like water). Sold in a nice container, largely promoted/sold by testimony, not fact. In other words snake oil.
My bet is adding a few ounces to a tank of gas, would have little, zero, effect. Like saying you increased the salinity of the ocean by peeing in it.
All of the ingredients are commonly available and cheap, so if the refinery chemists thought it would be beneficial, would add more of them?Most carbon, sludge, buildup is due to operating the motor cold, the simple "fix" is to go on more trips, drive it more often fully warmed up. Once deposited, it is difficult to remove, short of disassembly and mechanically or chemical scrubbing.
Sucking liquid into the intake needs to be done with care, it is pretty easy to hydro lock, damage the motor. That said, it is a good way to remove some of the buildup, but don't need boutique products, water is effective on a fully warm motor.
Sea foam is a mix of common/cheap chemicals that aren't likely to cause harm, but also not likely to have any significant benefit, especially over other common chemicals (like water). Sold in a nice container, largely promoted/sold by testimony, not fact. In other words snake oil.
Well I will try it, though it'll go in oil, in through the pcv valve and then into fuel tank. The longer it sits should work better. Well see.
nothing bad to report. lots of smoke. More than a Cheech and Chong plus a fish concert at once. Filled thru brake booster. Ran truck for about 20 minutes and it idled a little better. I did my wifes too but didnt take it for a long drive yet. Will update tommorow and getting oil changed in both vehicles on Friday. ttyl
I think your supposed to do it right before an oil change and before your doing plugs, to get rid of all the nastiness you knocked loose!
Only if you are adding it to the oil.
Why does everyone continue wasting their time with these types of things?
There is no replacement for doing things correctly, taking one's time, and understanding what is going on by cleaning your intake.
There is no replacement for doing things correctly, taking one's time, and understanding what is going on by cleaning your intake.
