Hey guys, I've been reading up on seafoam and some people say you shouldn't use the stuff if you've too many miles on your car. I'm interested in using it for a full cleaning (injectors, oil, cylinders.) My car has a little over 180,000 on it, so basically I was wondering if that's too many miles to use seafoam for the first time. If so, is there any specific part I should or shouldn't clean? Thanks.

 

Well how do you plan to use the seafoam? And what motor do you have?

If you want to be gentle, you can use it as a gas additive and it is almost guaranteed to not cause any problem, but its also going to be the least effective way.

I usually pull the massive vacuum tube on the brake booster and let it suck all stuff in. You get a ton of smoke for a little while. If your engine is really beaten up, you may spring some leaks you've never seen before, as burning seafoam with that method seems to increase compression.

Usually that method produces really good results if you have a dirty fuel system. But I guess there is a bit of risk. I always do an oil change right afterwards, but thats being really careful. Your call.

 

Yes, it's a good idea if you're working on a 1942 Scott-Atwater 5HP two-cylinder outboard with a Tilotsen carburetor. For any injected engine, forget it. Don't EVER put water through an injector if you can avoid it.

If you want to clean injectors, use Techron or remove them and have them cleaned. If you want to clean combustion chambers, use plain water in a hot engine, or a water/alcohol mix. If you want to clean the crankcase, use Group IV synthetic instead of mineral oil. If you want to waste $8 on a can of oily water that does almost nothing, use SeaFoam.

 

I use Seafoam on my Honda and F150 about once a year. I pull a vac hose, let the engine suck up a whole can and go take a drive after about 30 minutes. I've seen articles where they showed before and after pictures of the piston head and combustion chamber. It cleaned up pretty nicely. I've tried it in my gas, but never really noticed any difference. I use Lucas if I want to clean up my injectors and fuel system.

 

There's no water in seafoam. It's alcohol, light oil, and naptha. Personally I think it's a waste of money, but it won't do any harm.