Seafoam

[Houdini]

So ... we all use it in our bikes.

1. In the tank to clean the fuel system
2. To preserve gas and remove water from the tank
3. To fix flat tires and brighten the headlights
4. To stop darkside tires from going supernova

So I thought "what about using the stuff in my car"!  So I googled and found this article --

http://forums.nicoclub.com/how-to-seafoam-your-engine-the-right-way-complete-diy-t126583.html

I continued my search and found and followed this tutorial --

How To Seafoam Your Vehicle	powered by Aeva

I used the two can method, one in the half full gas tank, half of one into the crankcase and half poured into the brake booster vacuum hose until she stalled.  I let my Explorer with 183K sit for about 30 minutes and went and warned my neighbors to stay indoors for a while.  Man, what a smoke cloud when I started her up.  What were the results you ask?

1. Smoother idle
2. Smoother and improved acceleration
3. No more hesitation
4. Greatly improved highway performance
?. I'm hoping for improved gas mileage
?. The oil was changed two weeks ago and only has 100 miles since the foamage and it still looks clear.  I'll probably have to change it within a week or two, the Seafoam site says "The addition of a high-detergent oil like Sea Foam may cause the oil to become dirty faster than normal as buildup oil residue and contamination are cleaned.  Check the oil at regular intervals and when it gets dirty, change it."

http://www.seafoamsales.com/how-to-use-sea-foam-motor-treatment.html

I use it in my Valkyrie also (Valk related now) and I am trying to figure out how to get it directly into the carbs with the engine running like I did with my Explorer.

[chauffeur]

I put it in my truck several years ago.  truck was running fine - just thought it might be a good idea. 

It may be coincident, but I got one of those engine trouble alarms a couple of days later.  Ended up replacing the Oxygen sensor downstream of the catalytic converter. 

Again, it may be coincident, but it was the first time I got the trouble alarm.  I probably won't try it again.   

[TomT]

Like most folks here, I just use it in the gas. But when I was younger, I used to work in a service station and the old ex marine that owned the place used to do the 2 can method. One day, he was doing a guys 427 and about half way through, the engine did a hick up and bang! It dropped a rod right trough the block. The owner of the truck wasn't happy and the owner of the station wasn't happy when he had to replace the 427!!!
Ouch!!
I still love it. I think it works great!
TomT
Lynchburg,VA

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Just bought a gallon at autozone 54.95 saves you about 30 bucks over buying it in the 16oz bottles. I'm gonna run some thru my 90 blazer,  gas and throttle body then some in the oil. Plan on vhanging oil in a couple hundred miles. I run it in everything that I have that runs on gasoline.

[Houdini]

the engine did a hick up and bang! It dropped a rod right trough the block

I could see that happening if he poured the Seafoam in too quickly and filled a cylinder with liquid and IF the Seafoam was the reason the rod dropped.

I'm gonna run some thru my 90 blazer,  gas and throttle body

If you get the results I did you are in for a treat, I am still amazed at how much better my Exploder performs.

[RainMaker]

I am still amazed at how much better my Exploder performs.

Exploder?  Was that after the Seafoam? 

On a more serious note, my son's Tourer sat way too long and it's running rough, so I'm about to Seafoam it.  Is it better to just run the 1oz per gallon or should I give it a little more to clean up the carbs? 

[Houdini]

Is it better to just run the 1oz per gallon or should I give it a little more to clean up the carbs?

I dump half a can into a full tank of gas when I want to clean the system.  It you think it's gummed up from sitting I'd use a full can in a full tank.

I've done both of these treatments a few times with nothing but a positive result.

[RainMaker]

OK.  Thanks!

[T.P.]

According to the tech guy at SEAFOAM you can't use too much of it.  I asked when I stopped by HQ last summer.    YEP,  SEAFOAM is a Minnesota Company and a sponsor of the Minnesota VRCC.

[Hoghead]

This subject can bring on as much discussion and cotroversy as motor oils. I know if a person is satisfied with a product is is hard to convince them there is anything else. I will go ahead and waist my time with my opinion anyway.  I have used various carb cleaners over the yrs. with fair results with all  of them. Here are the 3 I have used most. Seafoam has been around forever and has a good reputation. Berryman is also a good product. I have also used the Walmart Super tech.

Seafoam: Basically a simple formula of Naptha, a gas used in high octane fuels and as a cleaner for various things.( stripping varnish being one of them) Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) help disipate moisture. Pale oil. use in 3 in one oil. Cost: expensive

Berryman B12: Toluene, Methanol, Acetone, Acetone, Ketone, (all gasses and cleaning agents) Isopropyl alcohol, Cost: mid priced

Walmart Supertech: Mostly Acetone( which is finger nail polish remover) and toluene (both gases and cleaning agents) Cost: cheap
My conclussion and my applications. I use Berryman as a fuel additive as I cant tell the difference between it and the Seafoam.
I use the Supertech when cleaning parts.
Brake Cleaner is also good for clenaing parts and will lleave no residue.
More is not always better with any of these. and don't expect overnight results with any of them. Sometimes it take a while for the varnish to melt away. Do not spray them directly into your carburetors and I would not use more than 16ozs in a 5 gallon tank.
More info: Do not use Mineral spirits to clean parts with rubber or in your crankcase or tank. It will soften rubber seals and ruin them.

[Houdini]

I agree with most of what Hoghead said.  I have used Berryman's since the 70's with excellent results and will use it in the Valkyrie if I cannot find Seafoam on sale or reasonalbly priced.  I will probably use Berryman's for my next carb clean on the Explorer when the time comes just to compare results with Seafoam.

I disagree with the statement "don't expect overnight results with any of them".  The Seafoam treatment on the Explorer gave immediate results, 30 minutes after the treatment when I went on the test drive I was amazed at how much smoother and faster she accelerated.  If you just dump a can in the gas tank it will tanks numerous treated tanks to realize the difference and it may come on so slowly that you don't really note any difference.  Do a direct application into the intake system and you will feel the difference immediately.  Seafoam makes a spray version, I believe it is called creep, that you can spray directly into the carbs, I just put my thumb over the can opening and dribble it in.  Yes, spray or dribble directly into the carbs if the vehicle has carbs.

+1 on Supertech.  I use the larger Supertech oil filter on the Valkyrie since it excelled on an oil filter comparison test and its larger so the Valk holds a full four quarts on oil.  I also use the Supertech oil in my cars since full synthetic oil is around $3 a quart.  I'll try their cleaner the next time I am at Wally World.

[Hoghead]

I guess the results you get has to do with how severe the buildup and probably some others factors. We all want that instant gratification. "I want my money and I want it now!"