Motor Vac? 100k Mile Tune Up

holmbenr · September 4, 2009

Hi,

I have 107k miles on my '04 2500 HD 6.0 4x4. I'm going to do the minor tune-up stuff myself and leave the rest for a garage. A local mechanic told me that I REALLY needed to do a "Motor Vac" to remove all the carbon build up. Then change my plugs and wires with standard AC Delco parts.

1. Is the Motor Vac service valuable or more of a money maker for the garage during slow times?

2. What tune-up items are critical for 100k miles to protect and improve performance - knowing that I pull a 1900lb boat now and my gas mileage on the highway is down to about 13.5 without the boat and about 8.0 with boat.

I need another 100k miles or more out of the truck so I'll spend the money for premium components if they serve better value for life or performance of the engine.

R Gage · September 4, 2009

Is this a factory dealer shop Chevy, Gmc etc. Talk to your dealer shop.I have not heard of this from my dealer? I will stay tuned for more info I want to know also.

yukon25008.1 · September 5, 2009

Is this a factory dealer shop Chevy, Gmc etc. Talk to your dealer shop.I have not heard of this from my dealer? I will stay tuned for more info I want to know also.

A local shop near me has the motor vac system and i had my freind run it on an 01 hd 8.1 w/87334 and it made a great noticible diffrence 1-1.5 mpg and renewed throttle response. the qeustion is for the $85-120 they charge how long are they running the machine, my guy left it go for 45min to an hr.

holmbenr · September 9, 2009

Is this a factory dealer shop Chevy, Gmc etc. Talk to your dealer shop.I have not heard of this from my dealer? I will stay tuned for more info I want to know also.

A local shop near me has the motor vac system and i had my freind run it on an 01 hd 8.1 w/87334 and it made a great noticible diffrence 1-1.5 mpg and renewed throttle response. the qeustion is for the $85-120 they charge how long are they running the machine, my guy left it go for 45min to an hr.

This is a local garage and said that total time will be about 4 hrs to allow for cooling. He want about $400 for the service.

Shaners · September 9, 2009

I bet "Sea Foam" would clean the carbon out.

oldschool327 · September 9, 2009

Trent GMC in New Bern NC offers the Motor Vac service. It is 569 dollars and takes care of fuel, oil, tranny, and coolant

holmbenr · September 10, 2009

Trent GMC in New Bern NC offers the Motor Vac service. It is 569 dollars and takes care of fuel, oil, tranny, and coolant

The motor vac service he was selling me sounded like some sort of heated flush on the motor because he said the spark plugs would foul with a liquified carbon when they run it to blow it all out. All other tune up services like transmission fluid change out, coolant filter, etc. were seperate. My initial concern - does a 'motor vac' actually pay for itself with the good that it does? Sounds like a couple of responders say yes. Anyone say no or say $400 is too much?

2COR517 · September 10, 2009

I bet "Sea Foam" would clean the carbon out.

I've been having great results with SeaFoam. The longer you let it sit, the better it works. A couple of hours is good.

yukon25008.1 · September 11, 2009

were can this SEAFOAM stuff be found, ive never seen it before, and is it just an additive. or how does it get used?

neilbedwell · September 6, 2011

were can this SEAFOAM stuff be found, ive never seen it before, and is it just an additive. or how does it get used?

Most parts houses have it (Advance, Auto Zone, etc). Yes, it's an additive. You can put it in gas or oil depending on what your need is. Just read the can. I have had exceptionally good luck with it in small engines (my Yamaha Rhino and a Stihl leaf blower to be exact). All my buddies swear by it and from what I've seen so far they are right.

THABULL · September 6, 2011

were can this SEAFOAM stuff be found, ive never seen it before, and is it just an additive. or how does it get used?

Most parts houses have it (Advance, Auto Zone, etc). Yes, it's an additive. You can put it in gas or oil depending on what your need is. Just read the can. I have had exceptionally good luck with it in small engines (my Yamaha Rhino and a Stihl leaf blower to be exact). All my buddies swear by it and from what I've seen so far they are right.

Yep Wal-Mart and any auto parts place will have it! I always keep a bottle around and keep it in all my power equipment! It's mostly alcohol and will help alot with the moisture that results from the ethenal in gas!

http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment.html

RockySierra · September 6, 2011

The Motor Vac system using GM's top end cleaner goes deeper and does more than sea foam can. That being said, sea foam is good stuff but unless you use really crappy gas, you should have no need for it under 80,000 miles.