Brake Booster & Seafoam

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:58 am

I just bought a can of Seafoam and want to run it through the engine of my 2002 Libby. I started another forum, and you folks said to suck the Seafoam into the engine via the Brake Booster line. Can someone give me a detailed step by step way to do this? I don't even know what line the Brake booster is. Any pictures or help would be appreciatd. I would love to get this done today. Not a pro under the hood, so I need to make sure I am using the right line. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:55 am

Its about a one inch hose, runs from the engine to the right side of the Brake Booster when standing in front looking at the engine ( two lines running in there but the larger of the two or at least on my 04)

with the engine running stick that hose down into the container and let the engine slowly "drink" it in, it may try and stall right away but if it does pull the hose part way out , you want to get at least 1/2 of the can into the engine. Way I do it is to let it slowly suck it in and when about half the can is gone then stick the hose way into the can and most times it will cause the engine to shut off. Let it sit for a while then start it up. make sure you have it outside away from everything. Also you should change out the spark plugs after doing this

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:19 am

Thanks Tom. Is it OK to drive with the old plugs for a bit, before I get them changed......like a week or two??? Will it hurt anything? Also, maybe it would just be easier to put the can into my gas tank, would this be as effective?

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:23 am

You can run for a little while before changing them, it just seems that with all the crap burning through it does something to the plugs, so change them ASAP . I most times do 1/2 can through the engine. 1/2 into the gas tank. And no it will not do as good just through the tank. Plus through the gas tank you don't get that nice smoke show!

I just looke back and you have an 02 so if its never been done I would run some through the engine ( using the brake hose) for sure.
Did a buddys 92 Blazer that had never been done, with over 145,000 miles, started it up and had 4 neighbors running over to see what was on fire! :lol:

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:39 am

I usually pour about 8 oz /0.5 pint into a clean plastic disposable cup and like Tom said use the larger hose that comes out of the brake booster.

SLOWLY suck the seafoam using the brake booster, you'll start seeing the engine wanting to die/shut off, you'll need to rev the engine to stop that from happening. Make sure you get every last drop. Once you are done don't forget to reconnect the BB hose. Don't put the BB hose down it will suck everything and anything, small pepples, dirt, debris, etc... (NO I DON'T KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE)

What I do is when I get to the last 1/4 cup is stop revving the engine and allow it do die, just use your common sense. Reconnect the hose, wait 15-20 min and start the engine.

BTW make sure you start the procedure outside, not in your garage, YES I KNOW THIS FROM EXPERIENCE!!! :lol:

Good LUCK, and enjoy your smoke show!!

riptricket · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:03 am

do you really need to change your sparkies after doing this?
my brother didn't change his the last time he did he... 3.7 dodge dakota.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:09 am

Yes, spark plugs should be changed or cleaned (if they are in good shape) after this treatment.

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:07 pm

Guys, I looked and "think" I know what hose is the brake booster, but am not 100% sure. Is there any way for someone to take a pic of their Jeep (2002 or with the same layout under the hood) under the hood to point out the proper hose to take off and suck the Seafoam in with???? If this is a possibility, it would be greatly appreciated!!!! I REALLY don't want to chance messing this up. Thanks again for all your help.

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:15 pm

just grabbed one off the net, they all look similar, this happens to be a TJ

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:37 pm

KJ kyle wrote:

just grabbed one off the net, they all look similar, this happens to be a TJ

KJs are on the other side

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:23 pm

Guys, thanks so much, I got it. BUT, A FEW MORE CONCERNS.

I found the brake booster hose and sucked in 1/2 a can. Let the Jeep sit 15 mins. Started back up, it idled hard, gave some gas, and the smoke and fume show began. After smoke was gone, still idled a bit rough and the "engine" light was flashing. Took for a short run up the road, still ran rough. Brought back home and shut off. Restarted a few minutes later, ran quite a bit better, not wanting to stall out. BUT, engine light is now on solid and stays on. This was 5-10mins after restarting from the treatment. Will the light go out??? Can anyone reassure me, or will I have to take it to the mechanic??? I would like to know your experience right afterwards with this product. I am sure it may run rough for a little bit to burn out all of the carbon and junk.

Also, how easy/hard are the spark plugs to get access to?? I am going to change them out tomorrow.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:23 pm

my guess is you burned out a plug, and your getting a misfire code thats flashing the MIL. also causing a rough idle.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:29 pm

What you are doing in doing the seafoam is burning / cleaning out all of the gunk in the intake, some of it may have lodged or stuck onto a plug so you are getting a misfire.
Plugs are simple to change out , if first time maybe 30/45 minutes, after you change out the plugs go to a parts store if you still have the light on and they can reset it for you for nothing.

You know which plugs to use right?

mrkake · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:30 pm

KJ kyle wrote:

my guess is you burned out a plug, and your getting a misfire code thats flashing the MIL. also causing a rough idle.

X2.

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:47 pm

What plugs do you guys recommend?? One user said he liked the Autolite Platinum plugs. Give me some ideas of decent ones, not high priced gimmick plugs.

I started up the Libby again about an hour ago, seems to idle and run fine now. The engine light is still staying on solid. I will have checked out if it doesn't shut off over the next day. Maybe a few drives will help the OBD shut it off????? What are your thougts?

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:08 pm

several use the Autolites on here great plug for the KJ, all that I have used in mine!
I would install them ASAP and then have the light taken care of, it will only take 2 or 3 minutes for them to hook up their little tester and kick it off and at least here no charge :wink:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:43 pm

Yep you just got a misfire from the cleaning and now the plugs need to be changed.Take it to a advance auto or autozone and have them clear the light.Get them plugs changed ASAP and Autolite Platinums are great for the 3.7.Make sure the engine cooled down before changing the plugs,don't want to pull the treads out of the heads.The plugs are located under the 6 individual coils that are mounted close to the injectors.

The other day I did a fuel/tune on a '02 Dakota with a 4.7,got all 8 cylinders to misfire,a new personal best

,and yes the plugs where changed 1 hour later after the engine cooled.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:23 pm

i got about 8k on my NGK irids, they've started pickin up a rough idle when cold that wasn't there before , im switchin back to autolights in 2k

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:57 am

should I replace plugs first, then get the engine light cleared, or have light cleared first??? I had a hell of a time locating the Autolite Platinum plugs, but just found some at one of the parts dealers. They have 6 on hold for me. Is it OK if I drive short distances for a few days until I get the plugs changed out?? I am just getting a garage to do it, and they can't get me in until Friday......

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:06 pm

I would get them done ASAP, but you know its going to be running rough and also the light will be on and plugs may not be firing correctly.
You can see if they can put the light out first, it may or may not, depending on the condition of the plugs now,

Brake Booster & Seafoam

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