Seafoam (1 Viewer)

[Poriomania]

I first noticed this on http://www.discoweb.org/discus/messages/27/46972.html?1081208842 . Since I'm getting an intermittent po401 I was wondering if this stuff would clean out the throttle body and anything else gunked up in there. What kind of results have people here had? What sort of problems could I have with this stuff? A search returned only passing remarks about using it. I was thinking of following the procedure of putting it into the plenum, but where would I do that on a cruiser?

 

[Pskhaat]

[quote author=Poriomaniac link=board=2;threadid=14869;start=msg139732#msg139732 date=1082053956]
What kind of results have people here had?
[/quote]

I've had moderate success with it on an older 2F and a Honda. I wouldn't say it'll clean out your throttle body, but more on the chamber deposits.

What sort of problems could I have with this stuff?

I can't think of really anything that should go wrong. It's supposed to be O2 sensor safe.

You can choose any vacuum line to induct the stuff.

 

[Beowulf]

Gary,

Welcome to the P0401 club. I'm guessing you have a 97 with around 100k miles. Get the FSM and read up on the testing procedures. Get an OBD-II tool. Systematically check each of the 4 components and the interconnecting hoses and wiring. Be sure you have isolated the failing part before you start buying bits and pieces unless you're planning to cover the summer dog food budget for Dan's 16 dogs and his flock of chickens.

-B-

-B-

 

[semlin]

I seriously doubt it will cure your po401. If blockages in the EGR system are causing a po401 they will be major and take more than seafoam to clean out. Read some past threads for possible ideas.

If you want to clean the throttle body I would use a throttle body cleaner or just remove the throttle body and clean it by hand. If you have a blocked EGR port in the throttle body you can test this using the FSM and a vacuum gauge but you will almost certainly have to clean it out by hand and wire.

I did just decarbonize mine to address carbon build up in the motor. Generated a huge cloud of smoke so it did something, but made zero difference to my vehicle emissions testing results so did not impact egr system.

 

[turbocruiser]

More Questions

I searched and saw a lot of good results from this SeaFoam product but I'd like to learn more and ask afew questions. SeaFoam's site lists the formulation is 100% Petroleum. I guess I'm having a hard time figuring out how thinned out petroleum can really do all the things this product claims to do. (I'm not saying it doesn't, I'm just saying I don't understand how and would like to) Also, if its so good at dissolving carbon, isn't it possible that it would screw up things like the throttle position sensor and other sensors? I remember on my 4Runner the TPS got screwed up while at the shop for a factory HG replacement...the service manager told me that the tech was cleaning out the TB and intake plenum all together without removing the TPS he explained that the internals of the TPS rely on a ring of carbon to produce the different voltages that then translate into throttle position (not sure if its really a ring of carbon, I would think a widening strip of copper would work better but who knows?). So, if this is true for the Runner or for our 80's then if you were to pour or pump the stuff through the PCV hose and different TB hoses, wouldn't it work its way into the TPS and other sensors and screw em up? Also, in one post someone mentioned having to replace the plugs after using the product - that could be that the product popped loose so much carbon in the intake and precombustion phase that the combustion phase could not burn it out clean. If that's the case then along with changing the plugs you might want to then run the BG44K out as it cleans everything from combustion to post combustion to include the catalytic converter and exhaust; I would think that would be important after introducing so much soot and stuff. Anyway, I'm just wondering about some of these things and was hoping someone with more understanding of this stuff could clarify? Thanks Folks.

 

[RustyNailJustin]

Myh 93 FZJ had a not so smooth idle and with just one can of it in the tank it ran like new. It really did work great.

 

[BROKEROB1]

My 80 with 97k miles was getting "tired". I had the ECU cleared and I used a can of Seafoam in the gas tank only, then the following tank, I used the Red Line product. I am now on the third tank of fuel, and my LC is running like a champ. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!
I can't believe it. Unfortunately, I cannot measure which product was more effective.

FWIW

Rob

 

[turbocruiser]

I'm still struggling to figure out the chemistry and the action of this product. Anyone else do any research and know what this is or how it works? For grins and giggles has anyone seen the actual action of this stuff, in other words does it force off flakes of carbon at a time, does it seem to dissolve the carbon into itself, does it require any manual action like wiping with rags to remove carbon? I'm just trying to figure out what to expect and also trying to avoid potential problems; if in fact it forces off flakes of carbon then I would think that the product could cause other problems clogging up other areas of the engine. There was a post a long time ago that came up with search and someone was wondering whether seafoam dislodged some carbon and landed it in the EGR system IIRC, after tracking this problem down, was that the cause? Thanks.

 

[92FJ]

Seafoam does work great! My 92FJ had a rough idle so I added this to the tank only and it cured the whole rough idle situation I had. I also added it to my Corvette which was also hesitating because of maybe moisture in the fuel and plugs(17k miles. My baby, HeHE) So i added 2 cans and the hesitation and stumbling went away as well as the carbon or crud in my cats.

 

[Romer]

Do you have to buy Seafoam on line or do any parts stores carry it?

 

[RustyNailJustin]

Do you have to buy Seafoam on line or do any parts stores carry it?

Lots of places are carying it now. NAPA here has it, big R, think Wall Mart has it here now too.

 

[Brentbba]

Stealer used this along with a good throttle body cleaning. Truck hasn't run this smooth in a long time. Rough idle as being described by others is now gone.

 

[OGBeno]

One in the tank every four fill ups

One in the crank case every oil change.

Thinking about trying it directly into the throttle body. Though I agree Seafoam does not replace a thorough and complete throttle body cleaning (taking it off, etc.).

Best.
-onur
Akron, OH

 

[Lockd97]

check here

There has been an number of forums discussing Seafoam lately and this one on Yotatech was the first one I dug up. "http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=35112&highlight=seafoam"
I have seen the difference it has made when you pull it through the PCV line as well as putting it in you gas tank.

 

[dryfly]

Let it suck the seafoam through the PCV or pull the PCV and let it suck through the line itself?

 

[Grouseman]

I used the Seafoam in the engine per instructions. It has believe it or not smoothed out a rough idle. Don't know how, but it has. I also have been using Marvels Mystery Oil in my gas tank, for a about 4-5 fill-ups. Went to emissions station for a renewal of tags and emission testing. Had 0 count on Co, and this engine has approximately 15K miles on it.

 

[Grouseman]

ttt