Another Seafoam question...

2000 alero,3.4 with about 90,000 mi. I am thinking of running seafoam through the intake for the first time. However, I have read that there is the chance it may loosen up the carbon and may cause more issues(clogs,etc.?) I will definitely run some through the crankcase prior to a change and in the fuel tank though. Any advice/experiences?

Thanks for any help

I didn't Seafoam my wife's Acura until 100000 miles; then did throttle body, gas tank, and oil - no problems.

I used Seafoam for the first time last weekend, and it really does work well. I bought a 88 Honda Civic as a gas saving commuter, only has 127,000 miles. The first time I changed the oil, it was dirty again after only 100 miles, and I mean nearly black. It might have been the first time the oil had been changed in the car, seriously.

So, I got a bottle of Seafoam and did like the directions stated. Put 1/3 bottle into the intake. I learned from others on AF that the best entry is the vacuum hose on the brake booster. It's easy to locate; its the round object that your master cylinder is attached to. There should only be one hose there, disconnect it, put your finger over the hose, and have someone start the car. I sucked the Seafoam into a turkey baster and had it ready to go before doing all this, and I would suggest the same to you. Its easy to control the amount that goes in, and there's no mess. When your're ready, have your helper step on the gas while you put the baster into the hose. This is important. If you just put the foam in without giving the motor gas, you could vapor lock the engine. You'll notice thick clouds of white smoke pouring out of the exhaust; use up the 1/3 can and then shut off the car. Pour the rest into your crankcase, then wait 10 minutes. Start the car and let it idle for 10-15 minutes, take it for a drive around the block a few times, then change the oil. When I did the intake, I left a huge black mark on the pavement under the tail pipe.

I haven't noticed a difference in performance, but my oil is staying cleaner now, so I'm pretty sure the Seafoam cleaned out a lot of engine gunk. I plan on using it before every oil change for sure.

The Seafoam is good stuff as is GM's Top Engine cleaner. It will help clean out the carbon buildup in the upper and lower intake manifold to include cylinder head combustion chambers. Putting it in the gas tank will help clean the fuel injectors. However, it does a poor job cleaning the throttle body especially at the butterfly throttle plate which should be done manually with throttle body spray cleaner. Best to remove the throttle body to clean it up. Also, the IAC (idle air controller) should be serviced separately. The orifice where the IAC mounts at the throttle body should be cleaned out and the IAC spring loaded pintle. Also, separately clean the MAF sensor wire element with MAF spray cleaner.

I should have taken before pics showing the bad carbon buildup but here is a throttle body from an '02 Alero GL2 with 3400 V6 with IAC and TPS removed that was cleaned up manually where you actually have to physically rub all the carbon off. The Seafoam won't help in this respect. :2cents:


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/DSC09836.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/DSC09837.jpg

I have heard of many people using the brake booster vacum line for cleaning the intake/upper cylinders, I would be carefull !

If any of the seafoam is still in the line and back tracks into the brake booster, it can damage the unit.

Thiers a vac port by the alternator that works great for this too. Yello circle in this pic.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/xeroinfinity/11X17RW24/Vacumports.jpg

Personally JC I would would use the PCV valve port located at the input of the UIM and where the throttle body mounts. You wouldn't want to miss all that nasty carbon seen in the pic with the throttle body removed as a result of the EGR recirculating the hot exhaust gases back into the intake system and intake ports that would be missed. :grinno:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/pcv.jpg

Yeah Bob that's a good location , it cleans the purge vavle in back too.

I usualy use 8 oz at a time, run 4oz through the PCV, and 4 oz. in the rear vac port. Then pour the rest of the can in the tank.

That pic of the UI isn't to bad Bob.

Back when I did my GA GT at 100,000 miles it was all black inside, I had to soak it for a few hours to get it all out and still had to do a little scraping.

None the less it's good stuff ! :D

That pic of the UI isn't to bad Bob.

Back when I did my GA GT at 100,000 miles it was all black inside, I had to soak it for a few hours to get it all out and still had to do a little scraping.

None the less it's good stuff ! :D

Yeah JC that was with only 50K miles but all clean now. I didn't use any Seafoam either. :uhoh:........:lol:

The tranny additive version of Seafoam works good too.

I didnt use seafoam to soak the UI, it soaked in a parts cleaner bath. lol

I've used the trans additive for flushing the power steering system, kills that whine these PS units get.