Seafoam

[RoGuE]

I have used Seafoam before on another car, but I am changing my plugs tomorrow and since I read somewhere that there is a possibility it could foul your spark plug, I would rather ruin the old ones.

 

My question however is I have half a can that has been sitting for a year and half. Is it still okay to use it? Also, is the PCV the best place to get it into the 5.3l engine?

[C & A s Dad]

The year and half old Seafoam will be fine to use.

 

The PCV line is the most logical place to use to pull the SF into the engine. However, this method will allow the SF to take the path of least resistance meaning most of the SF is going to go down one or two intake runners and in those cylinders. Some will get into other cylinders but the couple right where the PCV line comes in will get the bulk of it. Also, be sure to ingest the SF slowly. If it is poured too fast, you can cause hydroloc which is not a good thing.

 

The best way to get it evenyl distributed is to use the Aerosol version of SF called Deep Creep and spray it through the throttle body. It will be evenly ingested by the engine cleaning all runners, valves and comb chambers. However, if you spray it in the TB while the intake tube is disconnected you will likely throw a code.

 

One method I have seen used is to drill a small hole in the intake tube just before the TB. Insert the straw from the DC into the hole being very carelful to not let it be pulled in. Crank the engine and run it at a high idle while you spray the DC. Once complete, plugh the hole with a small sheet metal screw. This is very similar to what some shops do but they use a device called an "S" can that has a S shaped straw that inserts under the intake tube between it and the TB. This allows them to insert a cleaner via a can presurized with shop air while the intake tube is attached.

[RoGuE]

The year and half old Seafoam will be fine to use.

 

The PCV line is the most logical place to use to pull the SF into the engine. However, this method will allow the SF to take the path of least resistance meaning most of the SF is going to go down one or two intake runners and in those cylinders. Some will get into other cylinders but the couple right where the PCV line comes in will get the bulk of it. Also, be sure to ingest the SF slowly. If it is poured too fast, you can cause hydroloc which is not a good thing.

 

Good. The car has a little pinging, I figure now is the best time to use it. In the past, I have just let the hose suck up the seafoam like a vacuum, but I'm not sure if that is possible in this engine depending on how the PCV hose is situated. I might consider that deep creep though, but I was really only doing this since I had the stuff laying around.

 

Does doing this get any stuff into the oil where it would require a change or does it all just come out the exhaust (and hopefully not clog up the cats)?

[jrrod2004]

If you do this, I would recommend that the oil be changed right after (within 100 miles) because all that stuff will end up in the oil. It will also burn off when you run the engine, but I have never heard of it clogging the cats.

[RoGuE]

Well, the oil is full synthetic and only has 3000 on it right now so I'm not changing that, but I am changing the plugs today...

 

So lets put it this way, how often does using seafoam dirty up plugs?

[HyperBuzzin]

So lets put it this way, how often does using seafoam dirty up plugs?

I know a ton of people who use it in motorcycles nearly every other tank full or so and have never had any problems with plugs fouling.

Can't say I've ever heard of that problem

[RoGuE]

So lets put it this way, how often does using seafoam dirty up plugs?

I know a ton of people who use it in motorcycles nearly every other tank full or so and have never had any problems with plugs fouling.

Can't say I've ever heard of that problem

 

 

I would be using it through the vacuum, not the tank.

[desrtrat]

If you do this, I would recommend that the oil be changed right after (within 100 miles) because all that stuff will end up in the oil.

why do you need to change the oil

if you are getting that much past your rings to contaminate your oil, then seafoam is a wast of money you need a new rings. i have been using seafoan and gm upper engine cleaners for for over 35 yrs and never had a problem with it. now if you put it into the crank case, then yes you need to change your oil after.

 

good luck in what ever you decide to do..