Seafoam in oil

[countryguy1717]

Anyone ever run seafoam in their oil before an oil change? Just curious if you saw any benefit or had any issues.

[rav3]

I've run Seafoam in oil on several of my cars. '17 silverado 5.3 (with 5W30) & a several bimmers. In my opinion, it's a good way to keep piston rings clean.i have not seen any issues. I've watched videos on YouTube on this subject. Seafoam says you can run it in the oil full time, iirc.

 

Here's a picture of my '05 BMW 3.0L top end after 100k miles using Seafoam.

 

Edited February 25 by rav3

[txab]

You should look into Valvoline Restore and Protect oil. It has shown excellent cleaning properties 

[rav3]

1 hour ago, txab said:

You should look into Valvoline Restore and Protect oil. It has shown excellent cleaning properties 

I've run Valvoline P&R 3W30 as well.

[Grumpy Bear]

https://sandx.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Seafoam-Motor-Treatment.pdf

 

Sections #3 and #9 and #14 are informative. Light distillates and Isopropanol. Likely, given the density and flammability hydrocarbons, in the kerosene/diesel range. The alcohol is the only polar component in it. So it works mainly as a dilutant. 

 

It will depress the viscosity of the oil you are using. Significantly? Not at the stated treat rates but given oils that will shear out of grade (many), it will push a few more out. Component viscosities run 1.3 to 6 cP. Is that harmful? Depends who you ask and what mood they are in. 

 

Dad used to flush motors with Kerosene and a little Type F ATF  and everyone told him all sorts of 'bad' would happen. Now light fractions are packaged; and it just fine?  

 

Most cheap motor flushes use some sort of this game plan. Most don't tell you to run it consistently and constantly.

 

Kerosene is cheaper and the alcohol useless in oil. Flashes out on the first heat up. I'm old enough to remember guys washing their hands in gasoline to remove oils/greasy deposits. (Please don't do that) Seafoam works the same way. Like cuts like. 

 

It most certainly will NOT remove carbonized ring deposits made mainly of coked VM polymers. Will dilute soft deposits and 'aid' in flushing. If you motor is that bad......

 

 

[newdude]

3 hours ago, countryguy1717 said:

Anyone ever run seafoam in their oil before an oil change? Just curious if you saw any benefit or had any issues.

 

 

Valvoline Restore and Protect.  

 

I have a 2009 Vibe I picked up on the cheap going on a year ago now.  Has the 2AZ-FE Toyota 2.4 under the hood which is well known for oil consumption due to the rings Toyota went with.  It was using 1 QUART in 400 MILES.  I am on the 3rd fill of R&P, oil consumption has reduced to 1 quart in 2000 miles.  

 

Stuff works.  You won't really see a change until about oil change 3 or 4 per Valvoline, and I would agree with that.  The 2nd fill I was down to about 800mi/quart of oil.  Fill 3 is where its really taken effect.  I've seen the endless threads of 2.4 2AZ-FE owners trying all sorts of magic like Seafoam, Berrymans, etc.  Berryman seems to work good, Seafoam doesn't seem to dent them.  

 

Best part about R&P is that you can run it all the time if you wish.  It is not a temporary use oil to resolve an issue, it can be used to keep the issue at bay long term.  

Edited February 25 by newdude

[diyer2]

Shorter OCI's fixes many issues.

[Grumpy Bear]

3 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

Valvoline Restore and Protect.  

 

I have a 2009 Vibe I picked up on the cheap going on a year ago now.  Has the 2AZ-FE Toyota 2.4 under the hood which is well known for oil consumption due to the rings Toyota went with.  It was using 1 QUART in 400 MILES.  I am on the 3rd fill of R&P, oil consumption has reduced to 1 quart in 2000 miles.  

 

Stuff works.  You won't really see a change until about oil change 3 or 4 per Valvoline, and I would agree with that.  The 2nd fill I was down to about 800mi/quart of oil.  Fill 3 is where its really taken effect.  I've seen the endless threads of 2.4 2AZ-FE owners trying all sorts of magic like Seafoam, Berrymans, etc.  Berryman seems to work good, Seafoam doesn't seem to dent them.  

 

Best part about R&P is that you can run it all the time if you wish.  It is not a temporary use oil to resolve an issue, it can be used to keep the issue at bay long term.  

 

Curious. How many miles did the motor have on it when you first started using the R&P and how long you running each batch? 

[newdude]

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 

Curious. How many miles did the motor have on it when you first started using the R&P and how long you running each batch? 

 

 

234,XXXmi when I bought it, has 242,5XXmi right now. 

 

Not a typo!

 

Every 3000mi on the drain interval for now, probably won't take it much past that.

Edited February 25 by newdude

[MaverickZ71]

10 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 . . . I'm old enough to remember guys washing their hands in gasoline to remove oils/greasy deposits . . .

 

Still do, Grump! 

[Grumpy Bear]

6 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

234,XXXmi when I bought it, has 242,5XXmi right now. 

 

Not a typo!

 

Every 3000mi on the drain interval for now, probably won't take it much past that.

 

PM me as your research unfolds please. I'd like to see where this tops out. Thanks!