Seafoam testing

bcp · Jan 21, 2023

Seafoam seems to come up about once every month or so. Here is the first of a series of videos testing it.

Bruce

dodge man · Jan 21, 2023

My opinion, the Lucas oil product is just making the oil thicker. Depending on the engine, that might help with leaks or blowby, but I doubt it’s something I would use. Seafoam, I always look at it as last resort. I’ve got an engine running bad, give it a try. I’ve used it on small engines and it helps but I’ve never dumped it in the crank case. In the case of this Ford Ranger, why not try it just like he did? At that point in the life of the truck not much to lose and it looks like it helped.

5030 · Jan 21, 2023

never use Lucas or STP, All that is, is thick high weight oil. I do use seafoam on the intake prior to every oil change (and our ours the smoke deal too). The one thing he didn't do was he needed to spray the seafoam on the backside (between the engine and the MAF sensor). Seafoam will destroy a MAF sensor right now.

Wife's Ford has almost 190K on it and it runs like a top and is always quiet and still uses no oil and gets good fuel mileage. Of course I change the air filter and oil and filter every 5K miles anyway. Oil is cheap. So are filtrrs.

cqaigy2 · Jan 23, 2023

5030 said:
never use Lucas or STP, All that is, is thick high weight oil. I do use seafoam on the intake prior to every oil change (and our ours the smoke deal too). The one thing he didn't do was he needed to spray the seafoam on the backside (between the engine and the MAF sensor). Seafoam will destroy a MAF sensor right now.

Wife's Ford has almost 190K on it and it runs like a top and is always quiet and still uses no oil and gets good fuel mileage. Of course I change the air filter and oil and filter every 5K miles anyway. Oil is cheap. So are filtrrs.

How does it destroy the MAF?

Wolfy · Jan 25, 2023

Certain chemicals degrade plastic.

NoTrespassing · Jan 25, 2023

I've used Marvel Mystery Oil to some success in both gas tank and crank case. I think it freed up a stuck ring.

HawkinsHollow · Jan 25, 2023

I use it intermittently in my small engine gas cans. Non-ethanol gas and the occasional ounce or 2 of seafoam and I haven't had to clean a carb in years! Maybe it helps?

Gem99ultra · Jan 25, 2023

dodge man said:
My opinion, the Lucas oil product is just making the oil thicker. Depending on the engine, that might help with leaks or blowby, but I doubt it’s something I would use. Seafoam, I always look at it as last resort. I’ve got an engine running bad, give it a try. I’ve used it on small engines and it helps but I’ve never dumped it in the crank case. In the case of this Ford Ranger, why not try it just like he did? At that point in the life of the truck not much to lose and it looks like it helped.

I've also found Seafoam to actually improve performance. I use it faithfully on all of my small engines. If it didn't cost so much I might add it to my vehicles. I think you're exactly right about Lucas. I just spent about $10 on a bottle for SO's car. Pours out like syrup. And I truly can't tell that it made a bit of difference.

Marvel Mystery oil is a standard for my old Chevy P/U. Lifters tend to want to stick after sitting up for a spell. Good stuff - been around for a lot of years.

Regarding oil filters, K&N have been proven to be far and away the best; Fram the worse. OTOH, you'll pay a premium price for K&N. Worth it? IDK, but I do anyway.

Z71 · Jan 26, 2023

K&N filters are not worth a premium price. Their claim to fame is the 'nut' to remove them. Hardly worth a premium price.

Champion Labs says they make over 30 private label brands such as Super Tech, Mobil 1, K&N, Bosch, STP, + their own Luberfiner and Champ. Keep in mind that not all models will come from same source and most come from China.

greenrider1 · Jan 26, 2023

I use a strong dose of seafoam (1 bottle per gallon of gas/oil mix) to decarb 2-stroke outboards. It's crazy how much black goo leaks out the exhaust afterwards. The stuff works great to break up and liquify the carbon.

Jimbo16720 · Jan 28, 2023

Wolfy said:
Certain chemicals degrade plastic.

Like ethanol which is in gas, 10%.

ROUSTABOUT · Jan 28, 2023

5030 said:
never use Lucas or STP, All that is, is thick high weight oil. I do use seafoam on the intake prior to every oil change (and our ours the smoke deal too). The one thing he didn't do was he needed to spray the seafoam on the backside (between the engine and the MAF sensor). Seafoam will destroy a MAF sensor right now.

Wife's Ford has almost 190K on it and it runs like a top and is always quiet and still uses no oil and gets good fuel mileage. Of course I change the air filter and oil and filter every 5K miles anyway. Oil is cheap. So are filtrrs.

Mine has 250 k on a 5.4 Ford. Quiet, runs good. I've added a quart of oil here and there over the years. Blew the air filter out a few times. I probably should at least change the oil filter.

5030 · Jan 28, 2023

My 97, 7.3 is also on a 5K Rotella 5-40 diet with Archoil friction modifier. Last time I had a valve cover off (to replace an injection harness) the underside was clean and nice. Nano-Borate is a proven cleaner in industrial settings.

jjeff · Jan 28, 2023

Seafoam freed up an enrichment jet on a snowmobile carb. Before using seafoam I pulled and cleaned it multiple times to varying degrees plus one complete rebuild. Ever since Ive used seafoam in all my small two and fourstroke engines never had any fuel related problems since. I usually try to use non ethanol fuel. I buy seafoam by the gallon it's quite a bit less per ounce.

two_bit_score · Jan 29, 2023

jjeff said:
I buy seafoam by the gallon it's quite a bit less per ounce.

How much less per oz?

I’m seeing Advance Auto parts has 16oz can for $9 = .5625 per oz.
VS
128 oz for $64 = .5 per oz

Sometimes I see the 16 oz cans for $8 on sale. If you can catch it at a $1 off per 16oz on the 128oz cans that might be a really good deal at $8 off the $64 reg price.

Who are you buying from?

jjeff · Jan 29, 2023

two_bit_score said:
How much less per oz?

I’m seeing Advance Auto parts has 16oz can for $9 = .5625 per oz.
VS
128 oz for $64 = .5 per oz

Sometimes I see the 16 oz cans for $8 on sale. If you can catch it at a $1 off per 16oz on the 128oz cans that might be a really good deal at $8 off the $64 reg price.

Who are you buying from?

Best I've paid recently was a little over 50 bucks for a gallon. Advance auto rarely allows you to use promos on pints for seafoam and a host of other things however they do allow the 15-25% promos on gallons of seafoam. So that's less than 50 cents an ounce.

two_bit_score · Jan 29, 2023

jjeff said:
Best I've paid recently was a little over 50 bucks for a gallon. Advance auto rarely allows you to use promos on pints for seafoam and a host of other things however they do allow the 15-25% promos on gallons of seafoam. So that's less than 50 cents an ounce.

I’ll watch for that promo. Thanks!

5030 · Jan 29, 2023

Only thing I use it for is top end engine cleaner. Gets the carbon out of my GDI engine. Problem is, it takes 7 minutes to drain a can so I use one of those HF adjustable clamps to keep the nozzle open. Saves my finger.