Seafoam??
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Seafoam?? - 1/9/2007 5:29:49 PM
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Chevyguy032
Posts: 170
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Ok I changed the oil today in my truck...well i figure i would add a additive so i figure seafoam since i heard alot of good things..well i put a pint in the crankcasae..and i read that people get symptoms of there truck smokin like crazy and runnin like **** for 5 or 10 minutes..well when i did it none of that happend...Is that a good thing or bad thing?
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1987 K5 Blazer
Motor: 350 TBI
Trans: 4 Speed Manual 4wd
Stance: 32x 11.5x15(stock)
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/9/2007 5:41:25 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14499
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From: Waterloo, NY
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When put into the crankcase, it cleans all of the builtup gunk in your engine where the oil goes. You'll want to run the truck for approximately 100 miles, then change the oil and filter again.
To get the smoke show, you have to dribble it down the throttle body while the truck is running. Dribble 2/3rds of the can down the TB, then dump the last 1/3 in and let it stall. Let sit for 20-30 minutes, then drive it like you stole it. Do this before you change the oil cause it is recommended to change the oil after you do an upper intake cleaning with seafoam. You'll also want to atleast check your sparkplugs to make sure they aren't fouled.
Any more questions, just ask!
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Kyle-
04 Rainier
My Restoration Projects
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/9/2007 8:51:27 PM
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4lowlife
Posts: 1562
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I dont put Seafoam in the TB or through the vacuum hose. It gets burnt off and tells the O2 sensor it's lean and then the PCM dumps more fuel. = dumb smoke show. It fouls the plugs as stated above, wastes fuel, and dirtys up the O2 sensor. They won't tell you that on Seafoams web page cause it would be a deterent to use their product.
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/9/2007 9:48:39 PM
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nofear17bmx
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^^ Thats a strong statement, I wonder if anyone has facts to prove otherwise?
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2000 Chevy Blazer 4wd 4dr 4.3L Auto
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/9/2007 9:59:06 PM
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rooster
Posts: 268
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From: Northport, Long Island, NY
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i have had nothing but success with seafoam, and for me the "smoke show" was black and filled with carbon deposits, it left a trail of carbon on my driveway as well. i even changed my o2 sensor about a month or two before due to code 44 and i still have good mileage and no codes for months. my plugs did slightly grab some deposits but were easily cleaned. which i did the day after the seafoam.
it defintely smooths out the engine, and shows u while its working.
but everyone likes different things, i used to use z-max.
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1992 s10 4.3 262 tbi 4x4x2 700R4
1999 s10 2.2 134 L4 vortec 2wd pickup manual
Refuse to lose, Born to booze
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/9/2007 10:07:28 PM
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Chevyguy032
Posts: 170
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should i have the motor on while dumping the can in the TB or should i wait to dump it in then start it??
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1987 K5 Blazer
Motor: 350 TBI
Trans: 4 Speed Manual 4wd
Stance: 32x 11.5x15(stock)
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/9/2007 11:44:29 PM
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gizwilly
Posts: 50
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I've been thinking about doing this to my truck. I've got a buddy in the autoparts biz. His store sells Seafoam. I asked him what his thoughts on it were.
What he said was that it sure enuf gets a lot of crap out of your engine........but it will build carbon back in so quickly that it's not really worth the time or effort to do.
Whaddya think?
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/10/2007 12:20:42 AM
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4lowlife
Posts: 1562
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I have no scientific evidence to present.
Just my thoughts. example: When you see these guys with their diesl pickups tuned to the max, doing brake stands, pouring black smoke out the tailpipe, it is unburnt fuel.
exapmple: My old '79 Caprice w/ a 305 2 barrel carb had problems where it ran way too rich in the morning startup, It would smoke the garage out like someone poured seafoam in the carb.
I believe the smoke show you see is the unburnt seafoam clouding/confusing the O2 sensor and telling it to add more fuel. Just look at the plugs when your done.
Keep adding seafoam and you'll have ash buildup on the electrode and insulator. Well, you would need ridiculously lots of it.
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/10/2007 10:59:33 AM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14499
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From: Waterloo, NY
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An O2 sensor does not sense fuel. As such, it will not be confused by seafoam. I cannot say that it is impossible to ruin an O2 sensor with seafoam simply because the carbon that is being removed from your system could find its way into the sensor. Crap happens and sometimes an O2 sensor may be affected. Heck, O2 sensors are on the list of tune-up items now for practically any vehicle.
Seeing as how seafoam is combustable (just not to the same extent as gasoline), it burns in the combustion chamber just like gasoline. The reason for the chugging and tendancy to try to stall out is because you are flooding the engine by pouring in more 'fuel' without adding more air.
Regardless of what top engine cleaner you use, they all work on the same premise. I feel that the reason for needing a top engine clean is solely placed on the use of an EGR valve. The intake in my Chevelle is very clean, but it is also a wet intake (carb'd). Now, practically every vehicle has an EGR valve that is recirculating spent exhaust gases. How long will it take to build back up, that will depend on the operating conditions (climate, fuel used, etc) under which that engine goes through. Will it build back up, sure. Will it be over the course of a month, highly unlikely. 6 months, still not likely. 1 year, possibly. Does a top engine cleaning make a difference? In my opinion and experiences, definitely YES. But then again, this was on vehicles that were noticably carboned up (bore scopes are cool!).
< Message edited by swartlkk -- 1/10/2007 11:09:35 AM >
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Kyle-
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/10/2007 1:11:51 PM
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4lowlife
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I know the O2 sensor measures how much unburned oxygen is left in the exhaust. It also tells the computer when to lean or richen the fuel mixture.
You are right about it Seafoam being combustable but the product will not burn completely. I bet it burn will completely with an engine compression higher than what is in our 4.3's. Compression higher that 8:1.
Someone should tap a sensor with an O scope and take down the values. Then pour in Seafoam in the TB and see what becomes of the values.
I read that a properly functioning O2 sensor will exibit a fluctuating voltage signal atlernating btweeen .2 and .8 volts. (when in a closed loop.)
This is the extent of my knowledge of this discussion some I am now going to shut the .... up.
I got an oil change to do and have to empty the oil catch can.
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/10/2007 1:55:38 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14499
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From: Waterloo, NY
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True, that is the function of an O2 sensor. So while you are pouring the seafoam into the intake, this should cause a rich signal from the O2 sensors, which would intern prompt the PCM to decrease the IPW (injector pulse width), leaning out the gasoline mixture. There is no doubt in my mind that the trace from the O2 sensors will be different when you are actively pouring in the seafoam. I didn't look at the sensor values with my scan tool while pouring the seafoam in, but I have scans from before and after the seafoam and they are no differences as far as O2 sensor activity and range.
O2 sensors under normal operation are oscillating between ~200 and ~800 mV. This oscillation is happening quite fast. Typically, as the O2 sensors age, their activity (the frequency of oscillation) decreases. This is what causes poor fuel mileage because the PCM isn't receiving the information from the O2 sensors fast enough to make the required corrections. As such, it is constantly over correcting.
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Kyle-
04 Rainier
My Restoration Projects
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/10/2007 6:27:31 PM
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nofear17bmx
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I would suggest it, but its really up to you. Also from what you said kyle, changing the o2 sensor wouldnt be a bad thing to do if you are looking for better MPG?
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2000 Chevy Blazer 4wd 4dr 4.3L Auto
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/11/2007 8:37:50 PM
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Chevyguy032
Posts: 170
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yea i noticed my engine was runnin like **** today..could this be a cause from the seafoam?? cause it felt like i had no power what so ever and it jus sounded funny...
_____________________________
1987 K5 Blazer
Motor: 350 TBI
Trans: 4 Speed Manual 4wd
Stance: 32x 11.5x15(stock)
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/11/2007 8:43:56 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14499
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline
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Have you done the upper intake cleaning? Have you changed the oil yet in the engine since you put the seafoam in?
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Kyle-
04 Rainier
My Restoration Projects
Please Do Not PM for Tech Help
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/11/2007 10:31:12 PM
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rooster
Posts: 268
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From: Northport, Long Island, NY
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ya know i found that when u start cleaning and changing things, no matter what u use, that new sounds, feelings, and problems arise. for so many years a truck will run with sludge and deposits that even though they are wearing down an engine, they probably also keep things from having too much play, or having too much lash. for instance lets say a valve guide has enough deposits yet still allow for a smooth operation. now u take all those deposits out and it could now be a loose or leaky valve. or all the sludge and oil deposits in ur pan could even possibly come loose. and we know what that can do!
my point is that sometimes an additive or engine flush/cleaner may not be the answer to ones problems. that we should take care of the deeper issues and use the additives as a supplemental benefit to any repairs or upgrades we may do. then sticking to the proper oil change schedule and occasionally doing a complete tune up should be enough to keep ur truck running smooth.
one last note. when u use any crankcase engine flush, u risk the chance of loosening pan sludge. so my advice would be to drop the pan before the flush as well. clean it very well and reinstall with a new gasket. then flush or seafoam the crankcase.
just my humble opinions........
_____________________________
1992 s10 4.3 262 tbi 4x4x2 700R4
1999 s10 2.2 134 L4 vortec 2wd pickup manual
Refuse to lose, Born to booze
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/12/2007 10:37:26 PM
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Chevyguy032
Posts: 170
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i didnt do a upper intake cleanin yet..i am going to do that before i change the oil in a bout 2 days also..Do you think the seafoam could cause the CAT to go bad cause all the symptoms that are happenin to my truck is a sign of a bad CAT ( IE..Not that much power, Fuel MPG is bad, and also the other day i noticed the CAT was way hotter than the piping or muffler)....so could it also be the CAT??
_____________________________
1987 K5 Blazer
Motor: 350 TBI
Trans: 4 Speed Manual 4wd
Stance: 32x 11.5x15(stock)
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RE: Seafoam?? - 1/13/2007 9:29:23 AM
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rooster
Posts: 268
Joined: 11/5/2006
From: Northport, Long Island, NY
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i see that its an 87 and if u dont know if u have ever had a new cat installed, then i would go and change it anyway. the things will deteriate and clog themselves up, plus when u do do the upper intake cleaning then ur cat might just even get worse from all the carbon passing by or at least trying too.
_____________________________
1992 s10 4.3 262 tbi 4x4x2 700R4
1999 s10 2.2 134 L4 vortec 2wd pickup manual
Refuse to lose, Born to booze
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