Seafoam and oil changes

[JTH1972]

I've seen some guys on here talk about using Seafoam to clean out the motor (when used in the oil) and them doing an oil change.

How long do you run it for in the oil before changing it? I've seen some people say to drop it instantly and others say to run it for a couple hundred km then change it.

 

[Lacky01]

this is just my opinion:
Don't run a detergent in your oil. the engine needs lubrication, and seafoam is not that. If your engine has huge deposits of crud and caked on junk then it hasn't been getting regular oil changes or you've been running it too hot and burning the oil. I don't have any science to back up my claim, but this is just my experience. I've run seafoam in my intake with moderate results. nothing beats pulling the intake apart and cleaning it by hand.

 

[ragajungle]

I do Seafoam in the crank and in the vacevery now and then. I wouldn't leave it in for more than 5 minutes running at normal idle. I have been doing it for a few years with no issues to report. but I have heard people have problems with just one use. So I suppose it depends on the car and its condition. If you are not sure I wouldn't. Same thing with doing it in the vacuum. If you don't know don't do it.

Some one are the Taurus Car Club did it on a 2003 Merc Sable 3.0L DOHC and blew the plastic intake open when they cranked it over after letting it sit in the Vac for 5 minutes.

Also seen someone do a seafoam on a Dodge Intrepid and it musta unearthed some built up oil around one of the valve seats because after they did it it burned oil after.

There are legit reasons for skeptics, but I am a believer, but I also never missed an o/c or tune up.

 

[Hartman]

Seafoam is petroleum based, so if you put 1/3 of a can in, you can leave it until your next change

 

[niteklub79]

Just my two cents...I tried Seafoam in the vac and in the intake with no problems, then tried it in the oil... I developed a major leak in the rear main seal, that's been losing a little oil here and there, not too bad, but I now check to make sure it's got enough oil before I crank 'er...

Overall, I'd advise against using it in the oil, unless of course you're looking to do some major overhauls...

 

[Hartman]

I would say that's coincidental.

 

[specialized7]

I to had the same problem, in my 1997, it worked really good never had a problem, through the brake booster and in the oil.
On my 1999 its a different story, in the intake was ok but when i put it in the oil i developed a front main seal leak.
its not to bad, but it does loss a bit of oil.

 

[JTH1972]

Well what's the difference using Seafoam vs. another engine flush, say like "Gunk" or something similar?

 

[ragajungle]

Well, after my above post I did Seafoam in the crank and changed the oil with SYN 5w30 and replaced the Oil Pressure Sensor. Now I have NASTY blow by. HA HA Of course I do! Prolly coincidence, but blow by smell sucks :thumbdwn: BUT my motor is CLEAN! I am still a believer in the nasty motor elixir!