seafoam observation / curiosity

I am refinishing (valve cover crack - no idea how) a very thorough intake manifold, injector, valve cover job. By very thorough, I mean painting & LOTS of cleaning.

Anyway, back when the cleaning started, I was trying to think of something to use to on the carbon that would not evaporate in two seconds. Had a can of seafoam kicking around & thought, what better seeing's how carbon buildup is exactly what it's made for.

Observation - as I was using it I noticed that in addition to helping with the carbon, it also softened the gasket sealer to the point that it helped me gently dig the chunks out next to the seals. It also helped loosen up some of the old gasket residue.

Tonight, as I was cleaning up the gasket sealer to install the new valve cover, it occurred to me that it seemed odd? that an oil additive would soften the gasket sealer & even the gasket itself (or residue) used to help contain said oil.

Curiosity - how does this not cause issues? Or does it?

 

I never trusted Seafoam as a fuel additive. I'd trust it even less an an oil additive. It was designed for 1940s engines.

 

Seafoam is meant as a cleaner, I dont trust it as an additive either.

It eats carbon and soaks into it loosening it up.

Next time you are working with old carbon try any penetrating fluid, it eats and cleans carbon fairly well.

 

I’ve used Sea Foam for 20 years or so in my carburetor vehicles and lawn mowers, 2 stroke and 4 stroke, especially anything not used frequently. I use it once or twice a year. It cleans the varnish from carbs and valves. I’ve never used it in the oil. I’ve used it in fuel injected vehicles if they develop a slight hesitation or some other issue, but then only as needed.

If you drive only in the city and infrequently on extended highway driving, my theory is you can see your engine not running as cleanly as you don’t get it hot enough to burn everything off the valves, intake, etc. and Sea Foam will clean that up.

 

There are a lot of posts for many vehicles on the pros and cons of Seafoam. Even a lot of Youtube videos. Most use the brake booster hose to suck it into a running engine. It creates a boatload of smoke and loosens a lot of crap. Does it help? Maybe. Would I do it? No. Too much of a chance that it would really mess something up.

 

here's what Scotty says:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6pHSn8lLAQ

 

Another opinion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgmzTAgooD8