Anyone used seafoam on their 4.2L ? I've got an 02 with 50k miles on it and im about to do the usual routine maintenance this weekend, tranny fluid, radiator fluid, brakes, wires, plugs, fuel filter, etc... and was wondreing if I should run the seafoam while im at it.

I have heard mixed emotions regarding the seafoam but in my opinion if I can burn off the carbon its better than letting it keep building up.

and just because I like it -

Brian

 

nevermind im an idiot and didnt search first.

 

I used seafoam at about 53,000 miles. I ran it through the brake booster vac line, and the gas tank. It made my engine run alot smoother, and it seemed to gain back a little power that was lost due to carbon build-up.

Just follow the directions on the can to a T. Be sure to change your oil immediately after the seafoam treatment if you introduce it via vacuum line. It can cause major problems if you don't. Also, it wouldn't hurt to change your fuel filter after you run all the seafoam out of your gas tank.

 

I have used seaform for about three years now. I have had no problems at all. I add a can every oil change to the gas tank and have gotten excellent results.

I will continue to use it.

Ray

 

so you run the seafoam in your tank AFTER an oil change? I was reading that you should do it before the oil change, granted most of the ones I saw were sucking it through the master cylinder vacuum hose.

Has anyone noticed a "better" way to do it between the vacuum hose or the fuel tank?

If you run it throught he fuel tank does it also clear out the injectors and so forth as well?

It's been four years since I bought the truck and 46k miles later, I figured since I have done zero maintenance other than the usual oil change I should keep up with it to maintain the life of the truck.

should I replace my shocks now as well? I heard they have a lifespan of around 50k miles. pardon my ignorance, I had an escort ZX2 before this and those mcphreson struts last forever it seems like.

 

I guess the application of the stuff could be like medicine. One doctor prescribes one pill for one problem while another doc prescribes it for another problem. I have always put it in the gas tank with no problems. I just use the oil change as a way of routine maintenance. Keeps the injectors clean. I had one mechanic want a fortune to correct a sticking injector problem. Another mechanic suggested seafoam and presto the problem cleared up after one can and the problem never resurfaced.

 

i dont see why you would have to change the oil, its a oil additive too?

 

If you introduce seafoam to your engine through a vacuum source, (ie. brake booster, or pcv line) it goes straight into the combustion chamber. *After you turn your engine off, the seafoam "soaks" in between the piston rings and cylinder walls, and on down to your oil pan. Which is why you should change your oil if you introduce it this way.

*If you put seafoam in your gas tank, it will not go past the piston rings because it gets burned up in the combustion cycle before it can reach the oil pan.

Changing the fuel filter after you run seafoam through your gas tank is just a precautionary measure to ease the mind of the worrysome. When it's mixed with fuel, it acts just like any other fuel injector cleaner. Some think it dislodges sludge in their gas tank, and clogs up the fuel filter. Not so. Seafoam only dislodges sludge/carbon when it soaks into the sludge/carbon deposits and is ignited. And that doesn't happen until it gets past the fuel filter. That's how it works.

Most change their filter because when they use seafoam, they're usually doing a tune-up or preventive maintenance at the time. So that just comes natural.

I hope that helps you understand how seafoam works.

Peace...

 

Seafoam degrades oil, making it lose it's lubricity. And that causes bearing failure.

 

oh it does, for some reason i thought you could put it in your oil. Im glad i never tried it.

 

Sea foam is great as a fuel system treatment. I use it alot in my motorcycle. (stablizes fuel, helps clean out gummed up carbs from the bike sitting for long periods, smooths out idle, etc.) Ive never tried running in my truck though.

 

I used to work at an auto parts store and I had this old timer come in every now and then and purchased a quart of ATF never thought much of it until I saw what he was doing with it he was pouring ATF in his fuel tank which I thought was wierd. Anyone ever heard of that?

 

trany fluid has alot of detergents, works well for keeping things clean, we used marvels mystry oil the same way

 

Is there any difference between adding Sea foam to your fuel tank over BnG 44K? I have been adding BnG evey 7K miles and I always run 93 octang because I have my truck tuned with an Edge programmer.

 

They both do the same thing. If your truck is doing good with that routine, I'd stick with it. I've heard equally good things about both products.