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Seafoam For My Oil Sludge Problem?

ra8643

By ra8643
in Ask A GM Technician

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ra8643 Enthusiast

ra8643

Posted
Posted

Hello Everyone,

I just posted below regarding my recent finding with my wife's 2004 Tahoe (5.3L) not getting the oil filter changed due to a shop that was not doing it like they were supposed to.

 

The manager at my local auto parts store just told me that when I change this next batch of oil in another 1000 miles or so, I need to add 1/2 a can of "Seafoam" to the existing oil and drive it for 10-15 miles, then change it while it is still hot. He said that would very much help to get some of the crude out of my oil pan and clean the motor up.

 

Is that something that I want to do? I have heard of Seafoam before, but I definitely don't want to use it if there is a potential it may cause wear or eat up seals or ????

 

Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance,

Joseph

pennzoil29 Senior Enthusiast

pennzoil29

Posted
Posted

A lot of people swear by this stuff, but I'm not putting anything but good 'ole Valvoline in my crank case.

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

I would consider trying it after reading the issue you had, but i would NOT drive it 10-15 miles. Let it sit in your driveway and maybe raise the RPM's up a little.... there isn't much load on the engine when your trans isn't in gear so you dont have to worry too much. Get it up to operating temps, maybe fluctuate the RPMs some. And then drain it while its hot.

2COR517 Enthusiast

2COR517

Posted
Posted
I would consider trying it after reading the issue you had, but i would NOT drive it 10-15 miles. Let it sit in your driveway and maybe raise the RPM's up a little.... there isn't much load on the engine when your trans isn't in gear so you dont have to worry too much. Get it up to operating temps, maybe fluctuate the RPMs some. And then drain it while its hot.

 

First of all, do you actually have sludge? Can you see it through the oil fill hole? I would pull a valve cover and look.

 

But, IF i were going to put Seafoam in the case, this is how I would do it. Afterwards, I might put in some cheap oil, good filter, drive it for a day or two, and change it again with the good stuff.

ra8643 Enthusiast

ra8643

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the info! I am pretty sure the engine is gunked up - besides the filter being a mess, the drain plug had a thin layer of varnished oil on it too.

 

I will take the advise of just running it in the driveway - no load. I like that idea better.

 

Thanks again for the help.

 

Joseph

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted

Depending on the mileage of the engine, something we do with all the gunky engines at our shop is toss either a cup of diesel or a half quart of trans fluid in the crankcase. Both have huge amounts of detergents in them designed to breakdown carbon deposits. If your high mileage than its a totally different remedy. The trans fluid is the best bet if you need to drive to a shop to change your fluids, and is also much safer for the engine, you can actually drive the vehicle around for a couple days with trans fluid in the Crankcase. The diesel can only be put in before you change the oil...you start the engine and let it idle for 10-15 min, you cannot put any strain on the engine with diesel in there, no reving or driving.

 

Both are very good for cleaning sludge, but I really like the trans fluid as it gives you a little more flexibility and you don't have to go try and buy a cup of diesel somewhere, or get a gallon and have no use for it after. also, a quart of cheep trans fluid can be had for 3 bucks compared to the price of seafoam, this is an awesome deal, as it will do just as good a job.

 

If your engine is really gunky, you may want to run it for a couple days to break everything down in there, its also safer than diesel or seafoam as it will not break down the viscosity of the oil and keep the Minimum Oil Film Thickness (MOFT) between the bearings and crank.

 

I've used this trick for years, and have never had any ill effects. It really works and is a cheep trick. If you don't believe me, Stacy David agrees.... http://www.gearztv.com/tipdetails.php?tip=48

 

 

If you have a high Milage...above 200K you will need to use a product called Rislone.... http://www.barsproducts.com/10015.htm

you may have to do a couple oil changes to rid your self totally of gunk...but its a very good product and has been around since the 20's.

 

Hope this helps.

 

-Aiden-

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