To Seafoam or Not to Seafoam

In my old Jeep Grand Cherokee, it was the only way to keep it running without issues for any extended period of time. I had to run the stuff through it once about every 3 months. I ran it through the gas tank, and through the vacuum line. I'd put about half the bottle in through the vaccuum line, let it sit, and then start it back up. Would spew black smoke for a few minutes, then clear out.

That being said, whoever had that Jeep before me, did not take care of it. I don't think it would have any benefit in a properly maintained vehicle.

 

That isn't necessarily the case. Jeep isn't exactly known for "quality" products.

 

That too! In this case, it definitely wasn't well taken care of, on top of any inherit issues in the manufacturer.

 

Yeah, agree. Diesel is a cleaner burner fuel anyways...so yeah makes sense. Then Naptha...ok...got it, but honestly, seems like a lot of smoke and mirrors considering the actual contents of the product.

My vehicle is too new to have any Carbon build-up(less than 1000miles) but always curious about the science and the actual results.

 

Debatable, but yes pretty much; I still wouldn't do that if it's not needed or a last resort/cheap alternative on an older vehicle.

 

Don't know if it's an urban legend, but have heard originally Seafoam was primarily for 2 cycle outboard motors to remove carbon deposits from burned lubricating oil mixed with gasoline. Way back when gas/oil mixture was 24:1 - ie 6 gallons of fuel : 1 quart of oil.

 

ive used it in a few cars, using 1/3 gas tank 1/3 oil and 1/3 via vacuum. for vacuum let it suck the seafoam super slow or youll stall the engine

 

I bought a can thinking I'd use it to stabilize the fuel in my 2021 Off Road with only 7K miles on it, but then I read in cyberspace that it could hurt engines. We only use the truck to pull a small camper and very light Off Road excursions. We don't recreate with it every month so I figure I need fuel stabilization. Should I use the Seafoam I bought or keep it in the can?

 

Can't think of a reason why you'd ever want to use that in a 2021. Did you read the prior posts from 2016?

 

What Cliff said in post #14.

Haven't seen him since covid crap started but an old retired guy I know worked for the main oil corp. in the Southeast. He told me that all the big names (Exxon, Sunoco, Mobile, BP and all the little ones) all get their gas from from the same main depot. You know...the one that hackers hit a while back. Anyway, he said the gas is all the same and some companies might put some additives in their fuel and that so called fuel system cleaners were a waste of money.

 

What do you folks think of the Lucas Oil Upper cylinder lubricant?

 

Every few tanks I run a bottle through on fill up (full tank) and have never had problems with my 3.5 V6. I ran it in my 5.9 Cummins at similar intervals and didn't have any issues with it either. I tend to only buy it when the auto parts store is running a sale (2 for 1 or whatever) and as others have stated, I don't think it is required by any means.

Today I bought another SeaFoam product: Deep Creep since I couldn't find any place around that had Tri Flow products. Will see how this stuff performs keeping my locks and hitch pins oiled and lubed.

 

Chris Fix and Project Farm had positive results with Seafoam. Just follow the directions on the bottle and you wont hurt your engine.

 

I've owned older pos cars and trucks, and I did get positive results using Seafoam. I can't even tell you how many bottles of Seafoam I've used in the past 15 years.

I had an R6 track bike that one day wouldn't rev past 11,500 rpm keeping me out of the full range of power. Not sure if it was bad gas or what. So I drained the fuel out of it, poured a can of Seafoam in it, nothing else. Started it and lit it idle for 5 minutes, then did a dozen revs into the high rpms in neutral. (I was at a gas station inside an enclosed trailer along a highway in Georgia at midnight making a hell of a smoke cloud and engine noise... lol)

I cut it off, added new fuel and let it sit over night. Next morning at Jennings, bike ran great again. Worked like a charm.

All that being said, I do not run it through anything with a catalytic converter any more. I used it in a '92 4cylinder S10 for years with great performance improvement. Over time, all that soot will begin to stick to the sensor surfaces of the catalytic converter and eventually cause it to fail emissions tests.

I'll still use it in my 2 stroke dirt bike, Zuma, sport bikes and other non cat engines. I now use Lucas Injector Cleaner in anything with a cat in it.

 

I've used it per product instruction just before an oil change. Don't use it much in vehicle gas tanks as I feel there are better products out there for full fuel tank treatments. Techron for one and I have had success with it, it cleared up a ruff idle while I was standing there letting the vehicle idle.
You have to remember that a 16oz can of seafoam in a 21-gallon tank has a high dilution rate. Same if you use it per instructions on the can for oil changes. Five or six ounces in a 5.5 quart oil system has a high dilution rate. You have to wonder how good it does. I think per can instructions there is nothing wrong with using it in your vehicle, it's a peace of mind thingy. I will not argue for or against it.
Years ago there used to be quart steel can sold as a crankcase flush. Who remembers the old steel quart oil cans? Anyways your crankcase oil was to be at the correct oil level and you poured this stuff into the crankcase and let the vehicle idle for 5 or 10 minutes, then drain the oil. It smelled an awful lot like diesel fuel. Only ever used it once, like others have said if proper maintenance is followed it's not needed.

 

Not. Snake oil.

 

Here’s another product you need and it simply installs in the fuel line. It aligns all the molecules before reaching the fuel injectors. In this way the fuel travels with less resistance, you’ll notice a difference and you’ll get better performance along with better throttle response.

 

LOL... "aligns the molecules". Yeah, right.

 

Here it is junior.

 

LOL... OK, I am convinced!! Not. This bogus "idea" has been around for a long time. A sucker is born every minute... and the clock keeps ticking, so they might be getting some new customers.