Seafoam, any good?

My son and I changed out the spark plugs on my 2002 Tundra, using

$4 Denso K20R-U Denso 3122 Spark Plug

Denso K20R-U plugs gapped at .035 in. I was amazed that the plugs we took out were gapped at about .080 in., huge gap and very little electrode left sticking out of the porcelain body. The truck showed a bit more pep with the plugs.

Getting to the point...my son now wants to run Seafoam through the engine fuel system to clean out the injectors and carbon deposits in the combustion chambers. I am leery of such voodoo and was wondering what the consensus is here. Does anyone here use this stuff? Has anyone a comment to add?

 

It's probably safe for that application, but don't expect much. I wouldn't do the suction into the intake you might see on YouTube videos, as I question what effect it may have on your catalytic converters. (Lots of white smoke for 30 minutes or so). I personally use a couple bottles of Techron, that I buy from Costco every few months, but I have my doubts about it's efficacy.

 

I don't know how well it will do to clean everything up to "new". That being said, I put it in all my small motor gas cans and I never have fuel go bad anymore. In 08 I bought a generator and filled it up thinking we were going to be without power due to flooding. Luckily, I didn't have to use the generator and I mixed in sea foam when I fueled it up. It still has the same original fuel in it and will turn over on first or second pull.

 

I run it in all my implements like @Adam said. Everything fires right up and runs well after wintering/summering with non-ethanol and Seafoam mixed.

Regarding the truck, I dumped a full can in the tank in 38 gallon tank in February while filling up and am still seeing an increase in gas mileage. I’m a believer!

 

I use in boat motors but they are 2 cycles and more prone to carbon build up.

 

Sea foam works. I also like Berrymans b12 I’ve “fixed” a lot of outboard motors that wouldn’t idle By running sea foam though them.

 

Won’t hurt a thing. I use the STP Gold label fuel injector/system cleaner once every two years and haven’t tried the Seafoam.

It not a good idea to use too often as it may damage the injectors. Better to buy quality gas and replace your fuel filter it hasn’t been done in a while. Run Quality gas is the key takeaway.

 

Okay it seems I have one member, and only the one so far, that puts it in his truck, with all the rest putting it in small gas motors like outboards, generators and implements (lawn mowers & weed eaters I guess). I've seen the videos on YouTube, mainly small gas motors, that smoke a lot when used and a few older vehicles that smoked a great deal as well. I don't dispute what I've seen, a lot of white smoke, and I have been looking closely for the proverbial mirrors, finding none, yet. I also don't know whether or not those vehicles drove around to the back of the barn afterwards and had a stroke, off camera. Or maybe 24.3 days later or 3.44 months. I might just have to give in and allow my son to do it. To my spouse's Expedition.

 

I've used it a time or two in high mileage motors with adequate results. As mentioned it can restore a smoother idle after cleaning.

 

Seafoam user here, in everything.
We use it heavily at work between our power equipment, ATV's, UTV's, Outboards, and vehicles. If something is running rough or acts like a clogged jet, this is always first on the list.
I run it in my car, truck, lawnmower, and Dual Sport Motorcycle at home.
My DRZ400 was acting up this spring, seemed like a partially clogged pilot jet. I pulled the fuel line to the carb, drained gas from the float bowl, and proceeded to fill the carb up with 100% seafoam. I let this sit in there for a 1/2 day. Drained the seafoam out of the float bowl and reconnected the fuel line to the tank. Runs and idles perfect now and saved me from pulling the carb, royal PIA on the DRZ.

I have used it through a vac line before on older vehicles, specifically my 3rd gen 4unner and a 1986 VW Golf. Great results in both. But like everyone said, maybe not so good for the cats. I will only use it mixed in the gas on everything I have now.

 

Loyal SeaFoam user here. I used to drive hotshot for the oilfield and put over 500k mi on my Chevy 1 ton gas engine. When my mechanic went to check my injectors he asked me if I recently changed them and was surprised when I told him they were original. He said keep doing what you are doing because they still looked new. I have put a can in the tank at every oil change in all my vehicles, including my Harley, for years. Every time I have purchased a used vehicle I always do the intake cleaning before changing the oil, plugs and fuel filter and it always makes a positive difference. Yes it will smoke for a bit but that's the crap burning off inside. I swear by it and will argue to the death with anyone who says it's crap because I've experienced the positive outcomes myself when applied properly.

 

It's excellent!

I have used it for years, in the gas tank and in the oil 500 miles before I change it.

This is a 94 V6 Camry that had a lot of sludge build up @ 300k, Seafoam in the oil before a change cleaned it up.

 

How does one know the quality of the gas they are getting? I fill up at a variety of stations and I've never noticed any difference in performance.

 

Stick with the big 3 (Shell, Chevron, Exxon) and you should be ok. It's kind of like what you feed your body. Sure it will run if you eat McDonalds all the time, but for how long will it run well and what kind of problems will develop over time?

 

Good question.

How does one know quality food?

Or, how does one know old food? You taste it. Or, you don’t.

Basically, all gas comes from a base stock and each company regardless of brand uses the same base. Each company puts in their own ‘additives’. Quality food has better additives (spices). Quality food is fresh (garden to table).

No magic bullet answer, but I like fresh gas from a gas station with the highest tier quality. You can do your own research on ‘tiers’.

 

A steady diet of Tier one fuel and oil will produce less build up, and this will allow Seafoam to work that much better.

 

I've not seen amazing success with seafom like others have but I'm sure it can't hurt. Wal-Mart usually has it for around $6.50 which is far less than the auto stores. Pour a can in the gas and see what happens.

 

I have used Seafoam for years. In our prior vehicles (1997 Olds 88, 3800 II v6; 1999 Ford Exploder, 4.0 v6) and in our prior m/c (2006 Honda ST1300). None had one single fuel related issue (the cages had multiple mechanical issues none of those were related too or caused by Seafoam, the m/c had no mechanical issues in 111k miles).

I've run Seafoam in both our 2014 Acura MDX (86k) and our 2015 Tundra (5.7L; 46k) multiple times with no issues. Since the MDX is DI, I'm hoping it will slow some carbon build up (I have no illusions that it will stop it).

I've also run it in our small engine gas for the lawn equipment. We do use, 99% of the time, top tier gas (usually Costco), premium fuel in the MDX and lawn mower (they require it) and regular in the Tundra. If you do decide to use Seafoam, it's usually best if it's run on a regular basis, depending on the driving habits and miles accrued. Maybe every 10k or so? Keep in mind, I use it mainly as a preventative on top of the top tier fuel.

 

My local AutoZone has it on sale for $6.99

 

Their sale price is still higher than Wally Worlds every day price. Just saying.

But then one actually has to visit wal-mart. I'd probably pay .50 more to avoid it.

 

AutoZone is just down the street from me and so is Advance Auto. Wally Mart is about 4 miles away. I also try to avoid Wally Mart.

 

Target and Home Depot sell is too...for the same price as Walmart. Anything you can buy at an Auto Parts store in terms of additives/cleaners etc is 30-40% cheaper at big box stores if they carry it in my experience.

 

I use seafoam once a year in my 2000 tundra 4.7 V8 .I have never had an idle problem ,hesitation,or anything like that.I pull open the vacuum to the brake booster and pour half a can in slowly while idling.Pour the rest in the tank.let it sit for 10 minutes on level surface and then start in a well ventilated area.if the intake,valves and injectors are dirty ,you will see a lot of white smoke.jusr drive it normal until it clears up. My truck now has 376,000 miles and I bought it new. I also don't use injector cleaner ,I use one quart of dexron 2 transmission fluid with a full tank of gas every 6 months.It is high detergent so it cleans well.I also use it in my wife's 12 Lexus rx350 and my 13 tundra crewmax 5.7

 

Hey Walter, can you clarify this. What do you do with the ATF?

 

I DON't run it directly in to the intake but mix it with gas in the tank. Never a good idea on a 2 cycle motor to run anything through the intake other than a mixture of gas and oil. On a 4 cycle you are probably fine running it through the intake but I would just mix it in the tank.

 

Dump it in the crankcase as well and run it for 30-40 miles or so before doing an oil change. We use it to help de-sludge engines that customer neglect. I tell my customers to use it when they pick up a used bus. Dump it in, get it home and put new oil and filter on and you should help extend the life of the engine. I dump it in my vehicle once a year. Especially if we are going on a road trip.

 

Yes Walter, do tell. That one caused me to sit up rather sharply. ATF in the gas tank? Or have I misinterpreted what you stated? Care to elaborate?


Okay...I'm sold. I'll be doing the Expedition then my Tundra, son bought two bottles.

 

I'll second this...I've heard of ATF fluid in the crankcase some miles before an oil change to get the sludge out (similar to Seafoam) but I've never
heard of it in the gas tank before.

 

Techron.

 

ATF is a very good detergent but it doesn't lubricate your upper cylinders like SeaFoam does. Things like Techron and SeaFoam is made for this, ATF is not so there's always that factor. Just my opinion.