Seafoam

[absolutamente]

What do you guys think? Is this really worth it / good for the car? Has anyone done it, and if so, what were your impressions and how did you do it?

 

[3.slow]

I've always used it on my previous vehicles, but I heard it could be a cat clogger, so a more experienced opinion is needed.

 

[MikeHTally]

I've used it twice on my Ram. The first time, it produced the "smoke show" to a fair degree. I did the full treatment the next time (next oil change), but the show wasn't there. I figured then it was a once-a-year thing. I believe it helped (the first time at least). The idle was more smooth and the throttle response improved a fair bit. Bear in mind, the Ram had over 90K when I did the treatment. I don't know if newer motors need it so much.

 

[UHATEIT]

It is NOT needed on a brand new car or even a car with low miles like an MS3. I did it on my cavalier which was nitrous injected and at the time had over 110K on it and it produced a huge white smoke show. I had actually had a hunting/misfire feeling prior to using it due to a clogged spark plug, but I did it and the misfire went away and the car got much better gas mileage, mind it tho it did have over 110K on it.

I also did it on my MR2 which had 150K on it and it made the car run much nicer and got better gas mileage and produced smoge when I did it as well.

They are cheap for $7 a bottle at Autozone, but it beats paying $50+ at an oil change place who tries to con you into it. But you will by no means need this on your car now or anytime soon. Unless you notice misfiring or hunting or you have over 60K on yout motor, only then will you really need it. So if your driving a 2007 MS3 with less than 50K (I would hope less than that) it's not necessary to do it yet. There isnt enough buildup in the car to need it yet.

 

[BOOSTR]

You can use it in your gas tank or through the pcv vacuum hose regardless of miles. I use it all of the time in my cars. Never had any problem with it. Its a multi-use motor treatment and not a high mileage only product.

 

[avarela86]

Nice...I JUST bought it today for my dads Camry 278k Miles. Best way is to just dump it all into the gas tank?

 

[UHATEIT]

You can use it in your gas tank or through the pcv vacuum hose regardless of miles. I use it all of the time in my cars. Never had any problem with it. Its a multi-use motor treatment and not a high mileage only product.

trudat, however I didnt mean you cannot use it at all, just that its not really needed prior to having lots of miles. Using it on a brand new car won't hurt it, just not much of a real gain to use it until you actually have enough buildup to actually need removing. Which wouldnt happen until the miles get up there.

If you have a crapload of buildup it will work wonders and gain mpg and clear things out. But simply putting it into a brand new or 1-3 year old car with low miles will not increase your mpg or really give too much of a benefit overall.

 

[StealthWyvern]

trudat, however I didnt mean you cannot use it at all, just that its not really needed prior to having lots of miles. Using it on a brand new car won't hurt it, just not much of a real gain to use it until you actually have enough buildup to actually need removing. Which wouldnt happen until the miles get up there.

If you have a crapload of buildup it will work wonders and gain mpg and clear things out. But simply putting it into a brand new or 1-3 year old car with low miles will not increase your mpg or really give too much of a benefit overall.

eh preventive maintence couldnt hurt either.

 

[3.slow]

It is NOT needed on a brand new car or even a car with low miles like an MS3. I did it on my cavalier which was nitrous injected and at the time had over 110K on it and it produced a huge white smoke show. I had actually had a hunting/misfire feeling prior to using it due to a clogged spark plug, but I did it and the misfire went away and the car got much better gas mileage, mind it tho it did have over 110K on it.

I also did it on my MR2 which had 150K on it and it made the car run much nicer and got better gas mileage and produced smoge when I did it as well.

They are cheap for $7 a bottle at Autozone, but it beats paying $50+ at an oil change place who tries to con you into it. But you will by no means need this on your car now or anytime soon. Unless you notice misfiring or hunting or you have over 60K on yout motor, only then will you really need it. So if your driving a 2007 MS3 with less than 50K (I would hope less than that) it's not necessary to do it yet. There isnt enough buildup in the car to need it yet.

WTF is a clogged spark plug?

Because no fuel actually enters the intake manifold, carbon buildup ensues. Nitrous, meth injection, or seaform would probably clear this s*** out.

 

[MikeHTally]

Nice...I JUST bought it today for my dads Camry 278k Miles. Best way is to just dump it all into the gas tank?

Best bet is a third of the can in the fuel, let it inhale a third (or so) into the intake via the brake booster line, and then a third into the crankcase about twenty minutes before you drain the oil for replacement. I used two cans on my Ram this way (26 gal. tank).

While it's inhaling the stuff, someone will need to keep the motor running, as it will try to stall. Once it's sucked up, shut it off and let it sit for fifteen minutes or so, then start it back up. Make sure you do this in an open area, 'cause at 278K, it's gonna really smoke!

You may want to put an appropriate amount in the gas again in a month or so. I forget the ratio of gas to Seafoam.

 

[avarela86]

sweet appreciate the advice. Gotta find the booster line now. First time workin on his car.

 

[oaklandopen]

sorry to bring this post back from the dead, but would there be any problem using this as a preventive maintenence item every 15k miles (just pouring it into the gas tank and nothing else)? my plan is to call the dealer garage and see if they have a problem with seafoam in the ms3. particularly, with any kind of seals that are used with direct injection as opposed to most other cars

 

[StealthWyvern]

sorry to bring this post back from the dead, but would there be any problem using this as a preventive maintenence item every 15k miles (just pouring it into the gas tank and nothing else)? my plan is to call the dealer garage and see if they have a problem with seafoam in the ms3. particularly, with any kind of seals that are used with direct injection as opposed to most other cars

eh preventive maintence couldnt hurt either.

 

[MikeHTally]

sorry to bring this post back from the dead, but would there be any problem using this as a preventive maintenence item every 15k miles (just pouring it into the gas tank and nothing else)? my plan is to call the dealer garage and see if they have a problem with seafoam in the ms3. particularly, with any kind of seals that are used with direct injection as opposed to most other cars

My bet is the dealer will have no idea what you're talking about. The manual does say that NO additives are recommended.

You might have a point about the seals, but I'd suspect it's OK. Seafoam is 100% petroleum.

 

[taylorex]

I have used on the subby. I didn't have any issues. Makes a good smoke scene in the neighbor hood

 

[johns]

just did this. i used the vac hole in the intake manifold. pull off the vac line in the front...attach a piece of hose to it and let it suck up half the can of sea foam

 

[squidmotion]

be careful with this stuff on a car with a catalytic converter...

to clean off carbon build up, simple water would do the trick, though not as easy as the seafoam... water injection is probably a good thing for these cars, and i'm seriously thinking that may be my one modification....

in the old v8 carb days, we used to use a windex bottle with water and a bit of alcohol if you like, rev the motor up considerably, then start spraying... she would buck, cough, hickup, stutter, etc. but then would run a lot smoother...


i prefer the 125mph carbon blow out technique.. much more fun.

 

[UHATEIT]

Hey if we are putting this in a turbo car, would it be better to poor some in at the throttle body, or coult is be done SAFELY after the MAF on the intake so it goes through the turbo and intercooler? Not sure if that would be bad for the intercooler and turbo or if it would be beneficial if there was any buildup in there.

I am wondering because I want to do this on my wife's Jetta and not sure where the throttle body is on it right now, I have no problem putting some in at the intake, but not sure if that will be bad for the turbo or not. She has a lot of idling issues and sputtering so I want to do this asap.

 

[PCspeed3]

i prefer the 125mph carbon blow out technique.. much more fun.

I agree, the once monthly 125+ mph run is what keeps my beast runnin' stong haha.

As for seafoam, the last thing I want is the cat on my Cobb DP to be clogged.