Author Topic: Anyone use seafoam in their M42? (Read 15884 times)

beemer1 · « **on:** March 25, 2009, 04:42:16 PM »

I just finished taking out the intake and cleaned it with seafoam. Worked well but I didn't try cleaning the valves as it was nasty and time consuming. So I was wondering if anyone here has added this stuff to their gas tank with good results?

Would it be better to add it to the vacuum line and do a hot soak?

Hodge · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2009, 06:32:45 PM »

I did it early last year. I am sure it cleaned alot of crap out of the engine, but I strangely did not notice any gains from doing it like I did on my E30. It was a huge improvement for that engine.

I say go for it. Just make sure you change your oil after you to it in the oil, vacuum lines, and gas.

AcSchnitzer318is · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2009, 09:34:22 AM »

I did it... lol even have a video. It was a ton of smoke. Car ran better (might be placebo effect) I thought. Worked out fine. I did vacuum line, valve cover (oil), and gas tank all at the same time.

beemer1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2009, 12:01:50 PM »

How are you guys adding it through the vacuum line? Pull the valve cover hose off and put it into the can of sea foam? Stupid question it is but I want to do it right.

AcSchnitzer318is · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:12:18 AM »

No... use the vacuum hose that is connected to the brake booster. Easiest way is to get another hose at your auto parts store and pour the sea foam into a small cup. Then just stick the hose into the cup. Let it suck it up slowly, if you go too fast the engine will stall.

ponchiz318 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:41:19 AM »

I got my car seafoamed last year as well. It improved throttle response. I poured one bottle in the gas tank, with half a tank of gas and one bottle through the vacuum hose while idling at 3k rpm. I found out that I have an exhaust leak on the headers and that I'm missing a bolt on the headers.....
Reving the engine reduces stalling and gets the process over with quicker.
After it was done, it appeared as if I had a diesel 318 for the rest of the day....

beemer1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2009, 10:15:15 AM »

Thanks guys I'll give it a try!

Steve

Hodge · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2009, 10:12:45 PM »

Actually, you are supposed to have it idles or maybe only give it a little throttle when using SeaFoam. You want it to soak in and clean the gunk out. On the other hand you don't want to leave it in for too long either.

What you do is...
MAKE SURE THE ENGINE IS UP TO FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE AS THIS WILL ENSURE THE SEAFOAM WILL DO THE BEST JOB!
1) Pour 1/3 of the can into the gas tank
2) Pour 1/3 of the can into the oil (valvecover)
3) Turn engine on and use the vacuum line that goes to the FPR and either suck the rest up slowly through the can or through a cup.
4) Do taht until its gone then let it idle for a minute
5) Shut the engine down for at least 5 minutes
6) Turn engine back on and let it idle until pretty much all of the smoke it gone
7) Go for a quick drive around the block

Come home, shut engine down, change your oil (and filter)
9) Don't forget to replace the FPR vacuum line and enjoy!

ponchiz318 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2009, 08:27:54 AM »

Definitely change your oil. I learned the hard way, because I didn't know, but by the end of the week, the oil level was at the tip of the dip stick and my engine sounded like a diesel clacker in the mornings........

beemer1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2009, 01:31:50 PM »

Thanks guys I'm going to give it a try this weekend. I cleaned out the intake manually but didn't have time to clean the valves or remove the head (head gasket was ok). I guess I'll also change the fuel filter while I'm at it. Is this something I should do at night b/c my neighbors may not like it too much if it looks like chernobyl coming out from my tail pipe :eek:

Steve

xwill112x · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2009, 01:44:22 PM »

i seafoam'd my car.

i can't really say i noticed a diffrence.

AcSchnitzer318is · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2009, 11:05:42 PM »

Do like Hodge said... you can use the FPR vacuum hose or the one that goes to the booster... either one.

Only thing I did differently was (and I've read this on other forums) to put about 50 miles on the car with the seafoam and the thinned oil in the car. This ensure it has moved through the system multiple times at idle and at load to make sure you clean as much as you can. I took my valve cover off and everything looked brand spanking new. Couldn't believe it.

beemer1 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 05, 2009, 07:15:51 PM »

Just added seafoam to the FPR line. Did everything like you guys mentioned and it worked well.

Thank God I did this at night because it looked like the back of the car was on fire for the next 2-3 miles. It smoked like a motherf#cker!

How safe would it be to use this product lets say every month or so on the engine?

Steve

3seriesNut · « **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2009, 07:33:33 PM »

i did mine when i changed the oil saturday. the oil was some nasty shit. replaced with lubro moly and a mann filter

Hodge · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2009, 08:13:11 PM »

Quote from: beemer1;69503

Just added seafoam to the FPR line. Did everything like you guys mentioned and it worked well.

Thank God I did this at night because it looked like the back of the car was on fire for the next 2-3 miles. It smoked like a motherf#cker!

How safe would it be to use this product lets say every month or so on the engine?

Steve

I wouldn't. Since it thins oil and you need to change the oil after you do it, think of what it'll do to your gaskets after awhile.