Seafoam again....

[speed3se-r]

I dont think anyone will dispute that it doesn't work, but how effective is this product in the method everyone has been using it in? Has anyone actually removed the intake manifold and viewed the intake valves before and after using seafoam??? Everyone just keeps talking about the smoke. I want to know that it works the way we've been applying it, otherwise, it'd just be a waste of money....

 

[MikeHTally]

Who says it doesn't work? My Ram idled more smoothly and the throttle response improved a smidge after application. I 'magine someone has investigated to the extent you're discussing, but I've not read of it.

 

[LovinMyMS3]

Suddenly Seafoam doesn't work, what did I miss?

 

[sephiroth]

seafoam works. it's not 100% effective, but it's better than most additives. I just use quality gas and my intake valves on my 123,000 mile APB are brand-new looking.

 

[speed3se-r]

What i meant to say was that it works, but how effective is it in the way which we are applying it? Any actual proof other than it smokes alot and it feels better afterwards.

 

[sephiroth]

What i meant to say was that it works, but how effective is it in the way which we are applying it? Any actual proof other than it smokes alot and it feels better afterwards.

You're pouring almost pure solvent into the intake manifold, which is basically (although a much longer distance) the same way the fuel travels in a normal F/I car anyway, so it's going to hit the intake valves and then hit the exhaust valves again. It smokes when it hits the hot exhaust valves and evaporates. I'm sure no one has taken the time to rip the I/M off, inspect the condition of the valves, replace, seafoam and rip it off again to inspect again for these specific cars. However, there are a few examples of a similar procedure done to D/I audi's on youtube. granted the method and product they use are different, (pressurized instead of vacc siphoned) but the effect is similar. Gunky D/I valves before, extremely clean afterwords.

 

[cymx5]

Yes. It does. I don't have pictures. Last time I did it on the Miata, the intake tracts were cleared of a good deal of carbon deposits. Basically, you could see 'shoots' where the Seafoam was most affective, then the rest of the deposits were moist and easy to clean off with a scrubbadubdubbrush. That's a car with 135k miles which has never been seafoamed. I took an extra step to clean that which was not cleaned with seafoam.

 

[Darth Vader]

It's mostly alcohol and waste by-products of the petroleum industry.

It works, but, effectiveness is highly dependant on application. i.e. how you put it through the engine. Running it through the tank and in the crankcase is a waste of time. It needs to be drawn into the engine via engine vacuum to have the best shot at working. Even then, where you ingest it can vary the effectiveness.

 

[Sport6]

It's mostly alcohol and waste by-products of the petroleum industry.

It works, but, effectiveness is highly dependant on application. i.e. how you put it through the engine. Running it through the tank and in the crankcase is a waste of time. It needs to be drawn into the engine via engine vacuum to have the best shot at working. Even then, where you ingest it can vary the effectiveness.

Where would you say the best spot is to ingest it is?

I used the hose that connects to the check valve near the intake.

 

[Darth Vader]

Well, almost everybody uses the brake booster hose. The further upstream you are the better chance of more even distribution to all cylinders.

 

[wtf lol]

I know everybody says to put it in the brake booster hose, but where exactly is that? Pictures would be great!

 

[sephiroth]

I know everybody says to put it in the brake booster hose, but where exactly is that? Pictures would be great!

the big cylinder shaped drum looking thing in front of the brake master cylinder. It may be difficult to easily spot right away in the MS3 engine bay, but it's there.

 

[wtf lol]

lol that wasn't a picture, silly. Seriously though, I must not be understanding or even looking in the right spot. I can see where the brake/clutch fluid goes and I'm assuming that the hose I need is lurking in that area. I just don't know which one it is.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

The circled yellow thing. Pull it off on the "bendy side" of the hose. Have someone else hold the revs at about 2000 rpm and slowly feet 1/3 can of the seafoam into this line. Shut it down, reattach the line, and start back up in 5-15 minutes. Make sure the car is warmed up. If you have a lot of miles you can do two treatments... basically clear out all of the seafoam from the first treatment (with a fairly long high revving drive), and repeat.

 

[wtf lol]

Thanks so much!

 

[matsuda]

Is Seafoam known to be absolutely safe for the O2 sensor?

 

[Darth Vader]

It's mostly alcohol, which is fine on o2s. The other parts are petrochemical by-products, which are also fine on o2s.

 

[wtf lol]

I Seafoamed my car today and had VERY LITTLE smoke! I'm psyched that my car is as clean as it was, but still.. I wanted a smoke show