SEAFOAM... Good or bad?

[ROBe34]

Would you use it as described on their instructional video on your m50b25tu e34?? or any of your e34s for that matter??

you can check out the vid on you tube

[amd4me]

It give me wood. Works great. DOOO et

[jhennig]

Does it yield any noticeable results?

[amd4me]

If your car ia more than a few years old. Then yes it it does.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I use it help clean the injectors and intake, but never in the oil

[TheGoldenOne]

I use it help clean the injectors and intake, but never in the oil

why?

[ROBe34]

Yea it says to pour a third of it into your crank case (in the oil). When you do so it....
frees sticky lifters and rings
cleans dirty parts
removes moisture
increases rpm's vacuum compression
cleans pcv valve systems....
... according to the can

im skeptical of doing this myself. but what are some reasons we really shouldn't do that?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

why?

I use Mobil 1, so I get enough detergents and don't need to add any "cleaners" to the oil.


Yea it says to pour a third of it into your crank case (in the oil). When you do so it....
frees sticky lifters and rings
cleans dirty parts
removes moisture
increases rpm's vacuum compression
cleans pcv valve systems....
... according to the can

im skeptical of doing this myself. but what are some reasons we really shouldn't do that?

You forgot it removes dents and leaves the car lemony fresh smelling.

But it does clean things up and if you need help removing carbon it does the trick with a hot soak.

[bam240sx]

i'd really like to see where this is going because i was planning on doing the same thing, i have a loud ticking noise which could be a lifter tick but besides that idk.

i've looked at this write up and it was doing it through the vacum line..

http://www.bmw4life.com/ping.htm

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

i'd really like to see where this is going because i was planning on doing the same thing, i have a loud ticking noise which could be a lifter tick but besides that idk.

i've looked at this write up and it was doing it through the vacum line..

http://www.bmw4life.com/ping.htm


If your doing the intake/vacuum line job. It mostly cleans the intake and chambers.

If you have a sticky lifter then thats gonna require putting something in the oil:(

[ROBe34]

see i just did a recent tune up with the all the vacuum nonsense the m50tu has to offer lol. and changed to o2 sensor. and the motor seems to be running pretty well. but since im barely failing smog, i think im having a carbon build up issue. And thats after the car has been sitting for a lil more than a year. and the car has about 125k on it. im sure it needs some cleaning. however i use castrol syntec. dunno if that matters when it comes to adding this stuff to my oil

[jockine30]

i put half a can in the gas tank with a full tank,half a can in the oil about 2-3 weeks before oil change (mobi one) and a whole can through the vacuum line.I do this every oil change


Yea it says to pour a third of it into your crank case (in the oil). When you do so it....
frees sticky lifters and rings
cleans dirty parts
removes moisture
increases rpm's vacuum compression
cleans pcv valve systems....
... according to the can

im skeptical of doing this myself. but what are some reasons we really shouldn't do that?

some people say it thins the oil to much,others have put it in with fresh oil and left it in there for 3,000 with no problems

[bam240sx]

i put half a can in the gas tank with a full tank,half a can in the oil about 2-3 weeks before oil change (mobi one) and a whole can through the vacuum line.I do this every oil change



some people say it thins the oil to much,others have put it in with fresh oil and left it in there for 3,000 with no problems

alot of work every 3k, unless you dont drive alot, that would be like atleast 1.5 times month for me

[Burn535i]

when you put it in, do you then just take it out for a drive, or do you just rev the motor for a while. and if you rev, how does that work for the automatics, because ive heard that reving the auto will f up the tranny pretty good

[jockine30]

alot of work every 3k, unless you dont drive alot, that would be like atleast 1.5 times month for me

i really dont drive a whole lot.Also this isnt my only car


when you put it in, do you then just take it out for a drive, or do you just rev the motor for a while. and if you rev, how does that work for the automatics, because ive heard that reving the auto will f up the tranny pretty good

through the vacuum line?Let it all get sucked up while keeping it idle at 2,000 rpm,when its all sucked up turn off the car and take a 5 min smoke break and then start the car.I wouldnt drive it around because you are going to get a huge amount of white smoke out of the exhaust for maybe 15 min.Its ok t rev it when its in park,no biggie.Dont keep it reved the whle time smoke is coming out,giv
e it a few hard revs every cuple of minutes:buttrock

[Burn535i]

through the vacuum line?Let it all get sucked up while keeping it idle at 2,000 rpm,when its all sucked up turn off the car and take a 5 min smoke break and then start the car.I wouldnt drive it around because you are going to get a huge amount of white smoke out of the exhaust for maybe 15 min.Its ok t rev it when its in park,no biggie.Dont keep it reved the whle time smoke is coming out,giv
e it a few hard revs every cuple of minutes:buttrock

thanks for the tip, i might have to give this a try

[billygoat777]

i really dont drive a whole lot.Also this isnt my only car



through the vacuum line?Let it all get sucked up while keeping it idle at 2,000 rpm,when its all sucked up turn off the car and take a 5 min smoke break and then start the car.I wouldnt drive it around because you are going to get a huge amount of white smoke out of the exhaust for maybe 15 min.Its ok t rev it when its in park,no biggie.Dont keep it reved the whle time smoke is coming out,giv
e it a few hard revs every cuple of minutes:buttrock


I remember reading something about revving it in park is what causes issues. That may be only for the 525i though :dunno


*Edit: I was searching and for some reason thought this was a current thread didn't realize it was old

[attack eagle]

even better is to pour it directly in the cylinder over night, then vacuum it out.


even better is MCCC.

[jmanzo2012]

Can you use Seafoam on every oil change?

[HE53]

If I put it in the crankcase, I'll put it in a day or two before I change the oil..

I don't feel comfortable leaving it in there for an extended period of time.

I also use regular Dino Valvoline Max Life oils.. The synthetics tend to make older BMW motors leak in my past experiences and the max life hasn't.

I hate oil leaks.

[BavarianFanatic]

even better is to pour it directly in the cylinder over night, then vacuum it out.


even better is MCCC.

+1 The Mopar stuff is amazing. I use it all the time for cars that have crazy carbon buildup. I also use it before a tear down. Makes life easier having everything pretty much clean as I'm pulling it apart. Seafoam does what it's advertised to do. I've used it here and there with good results. I've also used the old kero flush trick many times with excellent results. Again before tear down to "preclean" prior to disassembly or on really coked engines.

[EuroJDMHB]

do it i did it when i had my 530i and it made a world of a difference

[cdnalpina]

Where would you guys suggest as being the best place to vacuum the stuff in? On an M50 and an M30 engine? I think I will give this a whirl on my cars...

[ILoveMPower]

Lets bump this up

[TouringGuy]

when you put it in, do you then just take it out for a drive, or do you just rev the motor for a while. and if you rev, how does that work for the automatics, because ive heard that reving the auto will f up the tranny pretty good


I really want to do this, but dont want to f up my transmission. Any truth in this? I have heard when your engine is cold not too.

[loustylez]

if having it in park and revving is bad, which i've also heard (along with apparently the manual for 525's state leaving it idling in park for a while is not good for the valve train either), perhaps jacking up the rear end getting the tires off the ground, putting it in drive and letting the tires spin freely would be ok. potentially dangerous... but yah.

[raceyBMW]

I am going to be hunting down some vacuum leaks this coming week, and replacing various gaskets and seals, along with fuel filter and plugs and an oil change. You guys have convinced to go ahead and run this through before so that my engine will be all spick and span before I put it back together.

BTW, love those wheels on your car.

[jockine30]

Can you use Seafoam on every oil change?


yes


I remember reading something about revving it in park is what causes issues. That may be only for the 525i though :dunno


*Edit: I was searching and for some reason thought this was a current thread didn't realize it was old


If you feel that threatened to rev it in park drive it around and get on it a bit.Do it around your neighborhhod though so a cop will be more likely not to see all the white smoke

[raceyBMW]

Where should I suck up the seafoam in an M60, the vacuum line to the fuel pump regulator, or the brake booster line? Or should I just remove the ICV and pour it in there?

[MaxSteel]

I followed what this guy did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzqohWTChwY

I didn't get much smoke though. Only thick for a minute or so.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a14/Maxsteel991/th_seafoamedit.jpg

[raceyBMW]

Thanks! Anyone else have comments for the M60 specifically?

[bmwmech1]

Being a mechanic by trade, I run into cars every now and then that have catalytic converter innefficiency codes. This presents a problem (at least in my state) where you have to pass the car for emissions before you can safety inspect it. I have had excellent results using Seafoam in the gas tank to clean the injectors and the converter(s) before doing a drive cycle and then the actual emissions inspection. I have personally never run it in the crankcase. I use a different additive for the crankcase and a top end cleaner through the intake tract for the top of the engine buildup. I don't do it every oil change, but frequently enough to make me feel comfortable, or as I see a need. I can recommend it, from a professional standpoint, since I've used it and have had nothing but great results. I have used all of their products and can and do recommend them often. Just my 2 cents, but hope it helps out...

Garey

[IamCatman]

FWIW ...Seafoam is used a lot in the Miata community. Many people leave it in overnight before restarting.

>^..^<

[jessejames]

Thanks! Anyone else have comments for the M60 specifically?

+1 - interested to know where to feed it from.

[TGreene]

Being a mechanic by trade, I run into cars every now and then that have catalytic converter innefficiency codes. This presents a problem (at least in my state) where you have to pass the car for emissions before you can safety inspect it. I have had excellent results using Seafoam in the gas tank to clean the injectors and the converter(s) before doing a drive cycle and then the actual emissions inspection. I have personally never run it in the crankcase. I use a different additive for the crankcase and a top end cleaner through the intake tract for the top of the engine buildup. I don't do it every oil change, but frequently enough to make me feel comfortable, or as I see a need. I can recommend it, from a professional standpoint, since I've used it and have had nothing but great results. I have used all of their products and can and do recommend them often. Just my 2 cents, but hope it helps out...

Garey

Garey, would you mind giving us a little run down of a routine you would run through on a car if it had never had these things done to it?

Thanks

[BMWJNKY]

FWIW ...Seafoam is used a lot in the Miata community. Many people leave it in overnight before restarting.

>^..^<

If I have the time after a hot soak I leave it in overnight too, seems to have a better result than just letting it sit for the hour or so the can says. I also have had no problems leaving the recommended amount in the crank case all the time. I put 1/2 a can in the crank case on my M30 on Monday and already noticed an improvement by Tuesday on my way home from work but my car is driven 50 miles a day. I think one can will treat 23 gallons and since my 535 has a 21 gallon tank I just put in a whole can. Now that I've treated the fuel system I'll only do 1/2 a can every couple of months in the tank.

[jbondbmw]

I might treat the fuel system of my M60. If you put it in the gas tank does it produce lots of smoke while you drive the car or does the smoke only come from putting it in the crankcase? I don't want to drive around for two weeks with a James Bond smoke screen coming out the back of my 540, haha.

[BMWJNKY]

I might treat the fuel system of my M60. If you put it in the gas tank does it produce lots of smoke while you drive the car or does the smoke only come from putting it in the crankcase? I don't want to drive around for two weeks with a James Bond smoke screen coming out the back of my 540, haha.

You only get the 007 smoke screen when you do the hot soak treatment through the intake. If you put it in the crankcase or fuel tank there is no extra smoke from the exhaust.

[535ipower]

I use Marvel Mystery Oil, for the fact that i used it in my saturn with great success. Saturns have a bad design in their piston in which oil gets stuck on one of the rings and just burns oil 96% of saturns with the 1.9 dohc motor burnt oil. The saturn guys suggested a marvel mystery oil soak by putting it inside each cylinder through the spark plug hole and letting it sit over night. the next day try to get out as much as possible out and run the engine. after that no more burning of oil :) So today i ran some in the bimmer through the FPR vaccum line and wow smokeshow shut the engine of and let the car sit., i am about to go out start it and go for a highway drive :) will report back later.

[serIIalpine]

So???????

This delay can't be good.

Eric
'95 530iT

[bostonsims]

I saw a youtube video of a guy doing it to his s2000 and as he revved it up his engine went from silent to a metal tapping sound, in which case he screamed an expletive as his car died wwith nothing but white smoke coming out the exhaust. Don't know if that's an isolated incident or a real risk. I id note that the reason he was taping it was because he had did it not too long prior with great results and was doing it again as a tutorial for others.

[535ipower]

Well i sucked it in through the vaccum line of the FPR, then shut it down and let sit for 1hr then went outside and wow :buttrock smokeshow.... the car started easy not like stumbling and idle smoothed out really good, i mean like it smoothed out dramatically. I can turn on the car and not have a hunting idle went on the highway and kept it at high rpms like 4k and had a few redline runs :devillook car definetly runs smoother. IMO it was worth the $5 for the big bottle. I also put some in my gas tank and in dads. Walmart sells the big bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil... BTW make sure you suck it in slowly dont try to kill the engine with it.

[raceyBMW]

So is general consensus for the M60 to suck it in through the Fuel Pressure Regulator vacuum line off the PCV plate?

I just did a thorough cleaning of the intake ports and manifold, but I wasn't able to get the valves all that well...hopefully this will take care of the rest of it.

Going to be doing it on my E92 as well since the valves on that engine don't get washed by fuel (Direct Injection), and it seems to have a lot of blow-by.

[Hellrotten]

So is general consensus for the M60 to suck it in through the Fuel Pressure Regulator vacuum line off the PCV plate?

I just did a thorough cleaning of the intake ports and manifold, but I wasn't able to get the valves all that well...hopefully this will take care of the rest of it.

Going to be doing it on my E92 as well since the valves on that engine don't get washed by fuel (Direct Injection), and it seems to have a lot of blow-by.

I have a 94, 530i. You're gonna do it, on yours?

[raceyBMW]

Yup, this weekend, to both my E34 and E92. Already bought everything I need.

[535ipower]

Remember don't try to kill the engine with the product. Putting it through the fpr hose will work quickly if you can let it sit over night it would be even better.

[Hellrotten]

So I just wanna be clear, because I'm gonna do this tonight. I put a 3rd in the tank, a 3rd into the engine, and a 3rd...where exactly? I just wanna make sure I'm doing it correctly.

[535ipower]

Look for a vaccum hose on your car, i am not familiar with the v8s so i wouldnt know which hose to use someone might chime in with a v8 and help.

[Hellrotten]

Yeah, I would appreciate that help. I'd hate to screw this up. BTW, there's no V8 in the 535i?

[535ipower]

no its an i6 m30 :)... let me go downstairs and look at dads 540i. Ill try to find a vaccum hose for u to use ;)

[Hellrotten]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[535ipower]

Theres a vaccum line at the intake boot look where that conects to and you might be able to use that hose...

[Stir Fry A Lot]

Just make sure there's some good suction from whatever hose you using. The third goes into your crankcase like you'd add oil. I saw results when I seafoamed my car the other week and didn't have any problems. I googled it and really didn't see anyone with any complaints either. Lots of people swear by it. Don't expect big gains though, its only a $10 can of oil.

[Stir Fry A Lot]

My friend did his at the same time but accidently used an entire can. Nothing bad happened. He saw about the same results too.

Yeah it'll smoke pretty heavily for about 10-15 minutes.

Try not to breath it either :stickoutt

[Hellrotten]

I think maybe I'll just put it in the crank, and in the tank.

[Stir Fry A Lot]

Also when you're feeding it from the can through a vacuum line just let the hose touch the surface of the liquid and let it sip. If it feeds too fast it'll shut down your engine.

[Hellrotten]

I cant figure out which tube to use. I tried pulling the one off the brake booster, but it wont give. Any other suggestions? Specific locations, or even pics, are a +

[Stir Fry A Lot]

I'm not too familiar with your engine but there should be a vacuum line that connects to your intake boot. Its the accordion looking hose right above the fan in the drawing below. if you look at the bottom of the boot it looks like the small hose under it could be the line I'm talking about. If there's enough suction you can use that hose but mine didn't so I used the one that ran to my fuel pressure regulator. I'm not sure where it is on your engine. Don't run it from your brake booster.

http://v8.webkitchen.net/images/M60_01.jpg

[Hellrotten]

I'm gonna head over to AutoZone, got a friend there who has a 740. He just sold his 530i, and I'm sure he seafoamed it

[raceyBMW]

Hey, sorry if I got to you too late on this, but I just did my 530i this weekend. Use the vacuum line that connects between the Fuel Pressure Regulator and the PCV plate, on the pass. side rear of the intake manifold. I ended up just using an entire can on it, no problem as long as you don't let the revs drop...obviously easy if you have some help.

You will need to go to Autozone and get a couple feet of vacuum hose to use, the one that is there is only a couple inches long. I can't remember what size, but I can go look for you if you need it.

[NerdCore]

I just seafoamed my 525 and it really helped I could feel that the car was much happier.

[bmwmech1]

Garey, would you mind giving us a little run down of a routine you would run through on a car if it had never had these things done to it?

Thanks

Sorry everyone, I'm out of town and have not been on in a few days... It's pretty simple and most of the posts of the people who have recently done it are right on the money.
1. Add 1/3 can to crankcase 1st.
2. Add a 1/3 can to about a 1/4 to 1/2 tank of fuel. Run car on roadway of choice using higher than cruising RPMs, ie 3.5K-4K for 5-10 minutes to get mixture into motor and working on fuel delivery and exhaust(read cats) systems.
3. Use the FPR vacuum port on PCV plate by unplugging FPR vacuum line at plate and attaching a 2-3 foot long piece of vacuum line. Dump remaining 1/3 can into a mason jar(or suitable glass jar, bowl) and with engine running, let vacuum pull fluid slowly into engine. Too fast will kill the motor, so you may have to keep the engine running at the throttle assembly by hand, if you're working alone, or by foot if you have a helper. It will smoke... try not to breathe it. It stinks, so I don't know why anyone would want to breathe it, but hey, try not to. Suck up the entire remainder in the mason jar and then run engine for a minute or so after it's all gone through.
4. Replace vacuum lines to original configuration.
5. Change your oil as normal either right afterwards or let it sit overnight and then warm up the motor and change it. I always do it right afterwards, so the junk that has been freed up has no chance to re-solidify. Personal choice, can be done either way.
6. Enjoy a cleaner fuel system, oil system and combustion system!

As I said, when I have an issue with a car's catalytic system, I run a can per 1/2 tank of fuel and go out and drive it as described above and then for an emissions monitors drive cycle. I have not had this fail me yet(knock on wood). I have done the single can in the tank and the 1/3 can system as described above and have not had any vehicle give me an issue or any customer have anything negative to say. Most say they notice a difference, but can't really describe it. "It just feels better", is a common description.

I say go for it guys, it will clean everything up and will most likely give you a sense of a smoother running engine. This isn't the ultimate fix for a poorly running engine, which may have other issues, but once everything is in a good state of repair, this is the icing on the cake, the final step, so to speak. Good luck and as always, any questions either post or PM me...:)

Garey

[LAZRSGOPEWPEW]

Threw 1/3 can into the intake (via brake booster). Didn't smoke much.. I was suprised at how little it smoked compared to what people said, and I sucked it up pretty slowly, not quickly by any means but fast enough.. Let the car sit for about 12 mins or so.. and fired her up. Definitely feels better in the lower revs, from light to light etc.

Then I put just under 3/4 of a tank of gas and the 2/3 left of the bottle to clean out the injectors and cats or whatever it does in there. Hopefully I'll notice some results from that..

[BMWJNKY]

Threw 1/3 can into the intake (via brake booster). Didn't smoke much.. I was suprised at how little it smoked compared to what people said, and I sucked it up pretty slowly, not quickly by any means but fast enough.. Let the car sit for about 12 mins or so.. and fired her up. Definitely feels better in the lower revs, from light to light etc.

Then I put just under 3/4 of a tank of gas and the 2/3 left of the bottle to clean out the injectors and cats or whatever it does in there. Hopefully I'll notice some results from that..

Did you get the engine warmed up first before you ran it through the intake?

[jehu]

Looking into this since the idea that my recent Smoking issue which has gone now may have been the excess oil being foamed and sucked up into the Intake mannifold then dripping onto and thru the intake valves.. I am invisioning my intake manifold now has a nice oily film with errant dust adhereing to it ... Can I expect substantial cleaning with a can into the intake or is it superficial at best.. Just had the intake resealed last April .. but if I should get it off again and clean it properly I'll do it..

[TGreene]

Sorry everyone, I'm out of town and have not been on in a few days... It's pretty simple and most of the posts of the people who have recently done it are right on the money.
1. Add 1/3 can to crankcase 1st.
2. Add a 1/3 can to about a 1/4 to 1/2 tank of fuel. Run car on roadway of choice using higher than cruising RPMs, ie 3.5K-4K for 5-10 minutes to get mixture into motor and working on fuel delivery and exhaust(read cats) systems.
3. Use the FPR vacuum port on PCV plate by unplugging FPR vacuum line at plate and attaching a 2-3 foot long piece of vacuum line. Dump remaining 1/3 can into a mason jar(or suitable glass jar, bowl) and with engine running, let vacuum pull fluid slowly into engine. Too fast will kill the motor, so you may have to keep the engine running at the throttle assembly by hand, if you're working alone, or by foot if you have a helper. It will smoke... try not to breathe it. It stinks, so I don't know why anyone would want to breathe it, but hey, try not to. Suck up the entire remainder in the mason jar and then run engine for a minute or so after it's all gone through.
4. Replace vacuum lines to original configuration.
5. Change your oil as normal either right afterwards or let it sit overnight and then warm up the motor and change it. I always do it right afterwards, so the junk that has been freed up has no chance to re-solidify. Personal choice, can be done either way.
6. Enjoy a cleaner fuel system, oil system and combustion system!

As I said, when I have an issue with a car's catalytic system, I run a can per 1/2 tank of fuel and go out and drive it as described above and then for an emissions monitors drive cycle. I have not had this fail me yet(knock on wood). I have done the single can in the tank and the 1/3 can system as described above and have not had any vehicle give me an issue or any customer have anything negative to say. Most say they notice a difference, but can't really describe it. "It just feels better", is a common description.

I say go for it guys, it will clean everything up and will most likely give you a sense of a smoother running engine. This isn't the ultimate fix for a poorly running engine, which may have other issues, but once everything is in a good state of repair, this is the icing on the cake, the final step, so to speak. Good luck and as always, any questions either post or PM me...:)

Garey

Thanks a lot Garey, that really helps. When I get closer to doing this, I will be sure to PM you if I run into any problems.

[bmwmech1]

Thanks a lot Garey, that really helps. When I get closer to doing this, I will be sure to PM you if I run into any problems.

No problem, fire away with any questions, glad to help out. See you on the 7th at Grey's house, too!

Garey

[Smoothjazz]

Anybody have results on doing a seafoam just in the tank? M60B30

[TOdblD]

I did the Seafoam thing earlier today on my 7. I just ran about 85%-90% of a can through the vacuum line that runs from the OSV to the FPR. I had a lot of smoke....a whole lot of smoke and it lasted for about 20 minutes before it started to subside. I made sure to run it through the vacuume line on the OSV because I wanted to make sure that the seafoam had a chance to clean out any accumulations in the OSV. I bought a new OSV a shyort while ago but only ended replacing the diaphragm part due to complications in the OSV removal process. Either way my car seems to run a lot smoother and better all around now. I only wish i could have seen the look on my "know it all master mechanic best technician in the world" neighbor's face as all the smoke was pouring from both exhaust tips on my car. :)

[Justin517]

I have sea-foamed many vehicles... the stuff def works well as a top engine cleaner.

It has the added benefit of making your neighbors hate you even more too... oh and works well to control the mosquito population too, haha.