Sea Foam

[mental_help]

Should I run Sea Foam through my oil? i have heard people say it was a bad thing and i have herd people say it was a good thing so what is the final verdict.

 

[Tbars4]

i myself run it everywhere except thru the oil...imagine all that sludge and such going directly to your oil pump...can't be good and an oil pump is something that you don't want to break down...just my opinion though

 

[mental_help]

where are all the places i could run it through i ran some through my vacuum system today and i fell in love

 

[Tbars4]

i believe it says on the can and i don't have the link to their site, its seafoam/sales.com i think...you run about half a can to 2/3 a can thru the vacuum line and then say 1/3 thru your fuel...

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I wouldn't put it in an older engine, it can break down deposits and cause more problems than it would help. I wouldn't do it.

 

[aldive]

I definitely would not put it in my oil under any circumstances.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I've only used it one time. I put some in the oil, gas tank, and through the brake booster's vacuum line. I changed the oil shortly after, and I couldn't believe how much dirtier it was. It loosened up a lot of deposits inside of the engine. I wouldn't keep it in there too long. If you decide to add it to the oil, make an oil change the same day.

 

[Tbars4]

here's a link to my thread...read post #18 for the direct link on the seafoam tuneup applications...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183914

 

[MountaineerGreen]

It will remove deposits, which always isn't a good thing. The deposits can fall and clog oil passages or pump, creating bigger problems in the engine. I worked at a tractor and implement place, on the antique equipment we went as far as to run non detergent motor oil so as to leave those deposits in place. As long as its not hurting anything, why risk it?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Here is the link from that post: http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUp.htm

 

[Grrlwronged]

I personally have only used it in my gas tank. The first time I put it in my tank, after I had just replaced the heads, I got almost 100mi outta 1/4 tank. (obviously my fuel filter had been dirty)
After it helped my older truck run better, my boss ordered some for the shop. (the shop specializes in British cars)
But as always follow the printed directions. Thats what the manufacturer has tested & can guarantee to work properly.

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

A much more effective and safe oil system cleaner is AutoRX. More information can be had at www.auto-rx.com

I've used it a few times, and it definitely works. I pulled a valve cover before and after, and it was definitely cleaner after doing the cleaning.

 

[Luckysam]

How old is "too" old for Seafoam application?

Hello all,

This is a great site! Very informative to say the least. I have a 98 SHOC 2WD auto w/ 215,000 mi (80% highway). All maint. is performed as needed. I have had the fuel injector serviced before (last at 160,000) this has not been a focus unfortunately.

I have never used SF and am very concerned that I will grenade the engine if I start at this stage of life. Has anyone had a first time use in a high milage X?

Thanks for your help,

 

[mental_help]

Hello all,

This is a great site! Very informative to say the least. I have a 98 SHOC 2WD auto w/ 215,000 mi (80% highway). All maint. is performed as needed. I have had the fuel injector serviced before (last at 160,000) this has not been a focus unfortunately.

I have never used SF and am very concerned that I will grenade the engine if I start at this stage of life. Has anyone had a first time use in a high milage X?

Thanks for your help,

mine it purity high mileage and older i used it and it worked great just let it suck some up from the vacuum line

 

[Grrlwronged]

Hello all,

This is a great site! Very informative to say the least. I have a 98 SHOC 2WD auto w/ 215,000 mi (80% highway). All maint. is performed as needed. I have had the fuel injector serviced before (last at 160,000) this has not been a focus unfortunately.

I have never used SF and am very concerned that I will grenade the engine if I start at this stage of life. Has anyone had a first time use in a high milage X?

Thanks for your help,

My 5spd 1991 Eddie Bauer has 209k on it when I put the Sea Foam in. If anything it would be better to use in any high mileage vehicle as the engine is in need of constant cleaning to keep it running smooth

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I added 1/3 of a can of SeaFoam to my oil at 150k mi, then changed it about 5 miles/15min later. So far, no ill effects.

 

[kert0307]

I added about 1/3 can to my oil at around 85k just drove it about 5mi and changed the oil/filter right away. Oil was pretty dirty and it's been running better since(smoothed out the idle a bit) seems to be fine after 5k. I wouldn't leave it in long just to be safe.


on a side note, as Mointaineergreen mentioned, keep it away from old tractors... my dad put some in with the gas in one of our old tractors (1934 MC Deering 1020) and it clogged up the carb really bad (had to rebuild it) and it leaks a little more now... still runs good though.

 

[rizzjc]

I've used Amsoil power flush at about 100k maybe. You just add it to your oil, run the engine at idle for 15 minutes, and drain the oil. Obviously you do this at oil change time. You don't run it with that stuff in there.
When I was replacing my timing chain last month I saw a good coating of gunk in the bottom of the pan. I sprayed in some Amsoil Power Foam, let it drain out, and then just poured some oil directly into the pan to flush it out. Worked pretty well. Personally I think I'd rather have a solvent break up the gunk, and dissolve it than wait for it to build up so much that chunks come off and THEN get sucked through the oil pump. I'm no mechanic though, so that's just the way I see it.

 

[Maniak]

I added 5 ounces to the last oil change.. drove it 5k miles like usual, then changed the oil (I drip/burn about 1 Qt of oil every 5k miles).. From what I've read, it burns out of the oil within 100 miles anyway, but the stuff in the oil should be broken free. I problably should have changed the oil after a couple days (70 miles/day is normal driving for the X) but figured I have a spare motor sitting next to the shed and I was working on some home improvement things and just never got back to it.. In case your interested, I used mobile 1 10w-30 and a motorcraft fl-a1 (or is it fl-1a) filter. I have a modified stock oil pressure gauge and as far as I can tell (its not the most accurate) the oil pressure was the same with and without the seafoam..

45-50psi at 2k rpms when hot (the gauge moves somewhat based on the voltage of the battery)
20psi or so at idle when hot


I noticed that after a while (I'd say a week after the oil change) that the lifters got quiet earlier than usual after I started the truck. It could just be wishful thinking, but the truck seems happier.

Previosly, About every few oil changes (ok I missed a bunch) I'd add about 1 Qt of ATF to the oil, then start and idle the X for about 10 minutes.. then change the oil.

Our motor had 352,750 miles on it when I change the oil last weekend.

~Mark

 

[Brian T Nickless]

Seafoam motor treatment

I used it in the oil on a '98 Volkswagon Beetle about once a year starting at 100,000 Kms. Brought the car back to like new performance each time. Sold car with 420,000 kms, running excellent ! Used it when reviving/ re-breaking-in my '81 XS1100 Midnight Special. ( Mechanic said I'd be lucky not to have to re-build the engine after sitting so long [4 years +]) Used 1/2 can in the oil for 1,000 Kms, changed it ( really dirty ), re-filled and added another 1/2 can, left it in 'til the next regular change. Bike runs perfectly, no issues at all. I had also heard that it is mostly burned off within 100 miles. YMMV BN