SeaFoam engine cleaning

MoladoGuy · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:03 am

I just did this to mine yesterday. I ran 2/3 of a can through the Throttle Body. The engine rattled at the end as if it was struggling and then just stopped. I waited 15-30 minutes, came back out, cranked it 2 times and she fired up. Within about 1-2 minutes I had white smoke coming out. Scared the crap out of me because I didn't realize it would be that much. It only lasted for a handful of seconds and then you could smell the fumes. Yuck.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:06 am

SavageUrge wrote:

There really isn't anything to be worried about because the engine does all the work for you.

You can easily destroy your engine doing this, and people have. It has nothing to do with seafoam, it's physics

MoladoGuy · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:13 am

SavageUrge wrote:

GilaMonster wrote:

No problems with Oxygen Sensors when running this through the intake cleaning?

You might code for a little while but after driving around for a bit it should clear itself or after a restart or two "after the smoke clears" so to speak :roll:

Threw a P0113 code but it turned itself off after a couple normal driving trips.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:37 am

DaveKJ02 wrote:

SavageUrge wrote:

There really isn't anything to be worried about because the engine does all the work for you.

You can easily destroy your engine doing this, and people have. It has nothing to do with seafoam, it's physics

Dave,I'm 48 and have been doing this method for 30 years and have yet to "Destroy"or even slightly damage an engine with this stuff.The only way I think it could do any carnage is if you suck in too much,too quick,thus hydrolocking the engine.To "Destroy" an engine using proper method,would only tell me that the engine already had problems. Before "Top Engine Cleaners" we used small amounts of water or even tranny fluid poured slowly down the carb.

Please don't take offense to my reply as I'm not saying your totaly wrong,maybe you just need to elaborate on your bad experiences.

Ron

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:40 am

DaveKJ02 wrote:

SavageUrge wrote:

There really isn't anything to be worried about because the engine does all the work for you.

You can easily destroy your engine doing this, and people have. It has nothing to do with seafoam, it's physics

Please explain or provide a link to some information - I have heard nothing but positive results from performing this procedure. I'd like to read up on it.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:57 am

LiLredLibby wrote:

The only way I think it could do any carnage is if you suck in too much,too quick,thus hydrolocking the engine.To "Destroy" an engine using proper method,would only tell me that the engine already had problems. Before "Top Engine Cleaners" we used small amounts of water or even tranny fluid poured slowly down the carb.

Please don't take offense to my reply as I'm not saying your totaly wrong,maybe you just need to elaborate on your bad experiences.

Ron

I take no offense and you described the exact scenario I was inferring. People have "gulped" seafoam and ruined their engines. The process of "drowning" the engine "by gulping" to finish the process as described in this thread is the exact way you risk running into that scenario. Look any other auto forum and it seems to be common knowledge, here it's being touted as a "no risk" proceedure. Liquids do not compress-if you get too much liquid into a cylinder, something bends. Being ASE certified, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:04 am

SavageUrge wrote:

Please explain or provide a link to some information - I have heard nothing but positive results from performing this procedure. I'd like to read up on it.

Try googling seafoam hydrolock.

MoladoGuy · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:54 am

DaveKJ02 wrote:

SavageUrge wrote:

Please explain or provide a link to some information - I have heard nothing but positive results from performing this procedure. I'd like to read up on it.

Try googling seafoam hydrolock.

The instructions on the back of the can indicate to slowly pour the liquid in, stopping if you hear the engine choking, then continuing until the prescribed amount has been used.

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:09 pm

DaveKJ02 wrote:

SavageUrge wrote:

There really isn't anything to be worried about because the engine does all the work for you.

You can easily destroy your engine doing this, and people have. It has nothing to do with seafoam, it's physics

100% true. You can hydrolock it! I've seen it done before on a few explorers when i worked for ford. If you suck in to much of the fluid throught the big brake booster hose at one time. I've seen bent rods before. As for the physics, he mean you can't compress liquid.

Like i said in my original post, if you dont know what you are doing don't attempt this.

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:48 pm

Is it really a matter of needing specific knowledge to perform this task, or is it more along the lines of "don't be an idiot and let the engine Inhale all of it at once"? I'm gonna run it by my mechanic and see what he thinks. It really sounds like a great way to get rid of the "gunk".

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:31 am

Seems to me that the only way to hydrolock the engine is if you were to dump it into your throttle body all at once or in large quantities. If you let the engine take it slowly, you won't have a problem becasue it will burn most of it off immediately. Common sense (which isn't all that common) dictates that dumping anything into your throttle body will cause bad things to happen. Since Seafoam is combustible, you shouldn't have any adverse effects, lest of course you choose to be foolish about it.

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:46 am

itsajeepthing wrote:

Is it really a matter of needing specific knowledge to perform this task, or is it more along the lines of "don't be an idiot and let the engine Inhale all of it at once"? I'm gonna run it by my mechanic and see what he thinks. It really sounds like a great way to get rid of the "gunk".

No specific knowledge is needed just need to know what you're doing. Like you said just dont let it suck it all in at once and you wont have any problems. :wink:

It's a very effective way of cleaning the carbon off the valves and pistons with this method.

saxdogg · **Joined:** Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:26 pm **Posts:** 199

go to youtube and search "Seafoam smoke"

jp

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:23 am

I use the Amsoil Power Foam to spray into the throttle body and the Amsoil injector cleaner in the gas tank periodically. When possible, I try to use Chevron or Shell gasoline to keep the motor clean. Using Amsoil motor oil, Power Foam, and Injector Cleaner and by using quality gasoline, my gasoline engines have run good with well over 200,000 miles on them. Keeping the motor clean is crucial to maintain power and fuel economy. Instead of waiting 50,000, or 60,000 miles before cleaning the injectors, it is wise to keep your motor clean by adding injector cleaner every other fill up or so. Just my thoughts.

MoladoGuy · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:27 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

I use the Amsoil Power Foam to spray into the throttle body and the Amsoil injector cleaner in the gas tank periodically. When possible, I try to use Chevron or Shell gasoline to keep the motor clean. Using Amsoil motor oil, Power Foam, and Injector Cleaner and by using quality gasoline, my gasoline engines have run good with well over 200,000 miles on them. Keeping the motor clean is crucial to maintain power and fuel economy. Instead of waiting 50,000, or 60,000 miles before cleaning the injectors, it is wise to keep your motor clean by adding injector cleaner every other fill up or so. Just my thoughts.

Would it help to run fuel injector cleaner if you have not done so in the past? Keeping to your every other fill up routine?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:33 pm

MoladoGuy wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

I use the Amsoil Power Foam to spray into the throttle body and the Amsoil injector cleaner in the gas tank periodically. When possible, I try to use Chevron or Shell gasoline to keep the motor clean. Using Amsoil motor oil, Power Foam, and Injector Cleaner and by using quality gasoline, my gasoline engines have run good with well over 200,000 miles on them. Keeping the motor clean is crucial to maintain power and fuel economy. Instead of waiting 50,000, or 60,000 miles before cleaning the injectors, it is wise to keep your motor clean by adding injector cleaner every other fill up or so. Just my thoughts.

Would it help to run fuel injector cleaner if you have not done so in the past? Keeping to your every other fill up routine?

It’s never too late. For obvious reasons it is best to start from the beginning. I would use a reputable injector cleaner. I’ve used Amsoil injector cleaner for years so I’m not familiar with other off the shelf brands. “Berryman Chemtool” use to be considered some of the best injector cleaner that many mechanics recommended to be safe and effective. Berryman can be found in most auto parts stores including Wal-Mart. I wish you the very best and let us know the results. I love diesels because they can go many miles. I think gasoline engines can go well over 300,000 miles if you take care of them. Keeping those injectors clean is part of the process of reaching those high mileage goals. Here's the website: http://www.berrymanproducts.com/

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:06 pm

Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment is another good additive that I used before I discovered Seafoam. Check it out HERE
It may seem a bit expensive for that small bottle, but out of all the OTC brands of injector cleaner, this one is definitely near the top of the short list. Keep in mind is is heavily concentrated also. I believe that little bottle treats up to about 25 gallons - more than enough for our 18.5 or 19.5 gallon tanks!

SeaFoam engine cleaning

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