fill me in on Seafoam

XJsavage

XJsavage

CounterCulture
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Location
Lyle's Ford SC
Just started up my 6.0 the other day for the first time in 3 years. Its out of a wrecked 02 2500 and came with the factory 4l80. It was a fairly fresh vehicle when it was brought into the yard and I know for a fact is only a 79,000 original mile combination (I was very persistent to check before I bought it). Its sat in my backyard for over two years and hasn't been cranked up until a few days ago. Anyways, all seems well, oil pressure is good, getting plenty of fuel via a walbro 255 and vette regulator but at the moment it idles a little sparatic. I'm still in the process of adjusting the throttle cable and once I get it right I was considering running a cleaner through it. I've always heard Seafoam is the best. Which Seafoam product should I look for? Or is there a better alternative?
 
#dirtymotorclub?
 
If the injectors aren't clogged, it probably just needs to be ran a bit to shake the dust off. I swapped motors in my F250 for an engine that had been sitting for 2-3 years, I used all the intake and wiring off my existing engine and it still took a couple of hard miles to smooth out and quit smoking.
 
I have always heard (and done) put 1/3 of the can in the gas tank, 1/3 in the oil (I would do it about 500 miles before an oil change), and suck the other 1/3 thru a vac line into the intake.

That is some old gearhead lore. If that is the best way, I dont know.
 
Seafoam is used to burn off the carbon deposits from the piston top and the compression chamber of the head. The issue is when the carbon builds up so much that your combustion ratio is altered and your fuel can not ignite. The main indication is pinging upon acceleration. In your case I doubt seafoam will do much of anything?

Had an uncle that used to get his car good and hot and hold the throttle wide open while he poured water down the carb. Like a half a gallon. Same principal but I had no idea what he was doing until I understood seafoam.
 
Anytime I have something that isn't operating to my liking, I find the best fix is driving or riding it as hard as possible for as long as possible. That will either fix it, or show you whats wrong with it. (works on women also :popcorn:)
 
Thanks for the input gentlemen! I like the idea of just knocking the cobwebs out of her. Cell has about 3 gallons of ethanol free 89 and I've got a few gallons of 114 race gas on deck ready if I need it.
 
guffey24 said:
Three years sitting, ethanol fuel, plus not empting the fuel rails equals clogged injectors, ethanol sucks

Been there
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Yes sir! You're absolutely right. The first thing I did with my lq4 when I got it home was pull the fuel rail and drain the crap gas out of it. But of course thats the last two years oyt of three that i know of. Probably the only reason my injectors are even functioning right now. Even in my daily driver Dodge ram I've noticed the negative impact of ethanol. I have to run either ethanol free or at least 93 octane or I get a slight tap in the top end and less power after a tank of garbage has ran through it.
 
I've always used marvel mystery oil to clean up the fuel system, or help flush contaminant out of the oil before draining
 
XJsavage said:
Thanks for the input gentlemen! I like the idea of just knocking the cobwebs out of her. Cell has about 3 gallons of ethanol free 89 and I've got a few gallons of 114 race gas on deck ready if I need it.
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race gas will attract about as much water as the ethanol fuel.....
 
At my shop we use a fuel cleaning system. It is a very strong chemical. You have to block off all the fuel lines and isolate just the fuel rail and injectors. You pressurize a tank filled with this stuff and inject it through the fuel pressure test port. You let it run on that tank until it runs out and then you go drive the crap out of it. We work on a lot of Fords and the older original EFI motors give a lot of trouble with the injectors stopping up and carbon build up and this stuff will really get rid of it. In the kit there is also a can to pour in your tank and two cans to fog through the throttle body and intake. This is by far the best way to take care of that problem if you can get your hands on it.
 
Sea Foam and stuff like that can help and normally either helps or you cant tell the difference. But I have seen it break stuff up and clog the rail at the last injector or an injector itself. I dont really like it. Its kinda like that head gasket repair stuff you pour in your antifreeze. you pour it in as a last resort before you junk your 500 dollar hunting truck, and sometimes it works, but you dont put it in something you want fixed properly. Just my opinion from my experiences and from what ive learned from the more experienced guys at the shop.
 
Mopar combustion chamber cleaner part #4318001AD from the dealer. It is simply the best at what you are doing. Read the instructions on the can and follow them to a "T". Older 4.0s were notorious for carbon buildup on the valves causing a misfire. I was able to clear many of them up with a proper application of this stuff.
 
Jody Treadway said:
Mopar combustion chamber cleaner part #4318001AD from the dealer. It is simply the best at what you are doing. Read the instructions on the can and follow them to a "T". Older 4.0s were notorious for carbon buildup on the valves causing a misfire. I was able to clear many of them up with a proper application of this stuff.
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That stuff actually is pretty good. Works good for cleaning valves and heads if your doing head gaskets.
 
I used to dd a cucv

Every time I would change the oil I would change the filter. I'd fill the whole filter full of seafoam. Fire it up and drive.

I had some issues within the last year with my 7.3 and on the process of tracking down a CPS at the International dealer spoke with a Mr Fix It diesel guy who recommended cheap ATF in the fuel bowl to clean all the junk out of injectors. Long story short I now prime my fuel bowl with ATF when I change the filter which is every other oil change.
 
I've used both the mopar (strip the paint off your teeth), seafoam, and the injector cleaner method, like the seafoam for light cleaning and fuel stabilization, the mopar for riping the carbon off the valves and intake system, just use it away from children, animals you like, or your wifes flowers if your not going thru a divorce. One that I've found works well on mild sticking in injectors is valvolines synpower.
 
49willys said:
I've used both the mopar (strip the paint off your teeth), seafoam, and the injector cleaner method, like the seafoam for light cleaning and fuel stabilization, the mopar for riping the carbon off the valves and intake system, just use it away from children, animals you like, or your wifes flowers if your not going thru a divorce. One that I've found works well on mild sticking in injectors is valvolines synpower.
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Hahaha yeah I'm looking more for cleaning injectors than anything. I'll stay away from anything as dangerous as Mopar sounds like to be. I've got a full brendal pit bull, a chitzoo terrier and a big black tom cat (all of which I love dearly) that wonder around the yard daily. Can't have any of them getting into it. The synpower sounds like a safe bet. When i get a solid weekend where I'm not traveling with work I'll give it a shot. I hate to get knee deep in a project and have to pack it up. Thanks
 
3M makes a great 3 part fuel system cleaner.

As for Seafoam. Years ago when I lived in an apartment complex I ran Seafoam trough the carb per the instructions. Trickling a little in and then dumping the last of it until the engine flooded out. Let it sit for 15 minutes then fire it up.

It made so much white smoke I had to stand in the parking lot and direct traffic because it was so thick with smoke you couldn't see. That went on for 20 minutes before it cleared out.
 
Has anyone had any experience with the Z-max fuel system cleaner? Is it really that great or just some commercial whargargle?
 
XJsavage said:
Has anyone had any experience with the Z-max fuel system cleaner? Is it really that great or just some commercial whargargle?
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Curious about this myself. It is expensive enough not to just simply "try" it without hearing first hand info. I am a big supporter of BG products, their 44K fuel system cleaner is some good stuff.
 
I always thought Seafoam was just a gimic
 
Infamous1 said:
Curious about this myself. It is expensive enough not to just simply "try" it without hearing first hand info. I am a big supporter of BG products, their 44K fuel system cleaner is some good stuff.
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We stock bg products. There intake clean, 44k and cpr are stronger than anything I've smelled before! I don't use off the shelf stuff so I couldn't tell you in comparison. The cpr will bring life back to a 7.3l or 6.0l where the owner neglected oil changes! Pretty sure bg makes the Mopar cleaners.
 
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