Question: Does seafoam actually work?

[Dzdimi14]

Ive heard that its good for older cars to clean all the carbon buildup that accumulates over the years. I was curious if it actually does anything or is it just snake oil.

[e30onBBSs]

This teacher helped me do it to our mini cooper and it was noticeably better right after. Rev it to like 50% and let it all burn. Get somthhing to really pressurize it, he had this thing that snuck into the intake so there wasn't any leaks

[TobyB]

I'm on the snake oil side of the fence. (except for the injector cleaner)

With Nomex britches on...

t

[Dzdimi14]

I'm on the snake oil side of the fence. (except for the injector cleaner)

With Nomex britches on...

t

could you explain why? just curious.

[Nick_S]

I've had good luck with it. On my old E34 I sucked about 1/3 a bottle at a time through the brake booster port on the intake. While doing so lightly, manually open the TB and be careful to only suck in a little at a time or it will stall. Let it sit for 10 min or so then start it up and watch it smoke. I usually go drive the crap out of it for another 10 min. Repeated till the bottle was empty. It quieted down some of the top end noise and idled noticeably better.

Do I think it's a cure all? No but it can certainly help on older, more neglected motors.

[estoguy]

I've used it with good success on my cars for several years now. I'd say it works.

[AndrewBird]

I've used it, but saw no difference what so ever.

[ELVA164]

I think you should read this thread and then not buy seafoam unless you put it in the gas tank to dry the fuel:

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ney-on-Seafoam!

[flyboyx]

i have used it a couple times. i want to think it works?

[KI4UJO]

This thread really got me thinking. Here is my personal experience:
I used it on my 24v e30, which originally had a NV M50. Right after completing the swap, I inducted two cans through the brake booster line. At the time, I thought it did something. However, when I tore the motor down due to a head gasket issue 6 months later, I could not tell a difference, at least on the intake ports. Upon further inspection, it was obvious that the Seafoam had done absolutely nothing at all.

After doing more research (thanks for the thread link, ELVA164), you would be better off using a product such as Mopar Combustion Chamber Cleaner or CRC Gasoline Direct Injection Cleaner, depending on if you intend to clean valves or the combustion chamber itself. Personally, I'm going to use the GDI cleaner and spray it directly in the ports and let it soak, as I have the motor out of the car right now.

Just my .02

[TurboJake]

B-12 chemtool is cheaper and is a much better solvent. They both clean carbon (Just get a spray bottle of each and spray your throttle body. You'll see it right then and there).

Do they work, absolutely. Just like anything else, it's how you use them that is key.

As for putting it in the oil. use ATF instead. It's 10w with a shitload of detergents. Run that for a little bit and cleans gunk right up. I've used it to clean some severely sludged up oil pan with just driving. (Not as a standalone oil. Typically 1 qt atf for every 3 quarts of a slightly thicker oil than the recommended temperature range oil)

As for using it as an injector cleaner. Use HEET or IsoHEET instead and good quality gas instead. Injectors don't need lubrication. If they really need a cleaning, get an actual fuel system cleaner setup and use B-12. Napa KLEEN is some serious shit too.

[Exodus_2pt0]

As for putting it in the oil. use ATF instead. It's 10w with a shitload of detergents.

This. My first car was a 79 Grand Prix with the POS 301 in it and a couple noisy lifters. An old wrench told me to put a quart of ATF in at my next oil change.

Fixed those damn lifters.

[Dj Buttchug]

definitely works. You can also substitute brake fluid mixed with some water to remove carbon build up. Ive had good luck with that as well

[agent]

79 Grand Prix with the POS 301 in it

What a terrible car. My dad bought a '78 new. It ended up being the last American car he ever purchased.

[Exodus_2pt0]

To be honest I miss the car, but the drivetrain was shit. I got mine from my Grandfather who was the 2nd owner, and it had been garaged kept since new. The car was immaculate. I probably only miss it because it was my first car, and where I used to get to play with my GF's fun parts back in high school.... Good times.