Sea Foam

71superbug · 02 April 2010, 19:02

Ok, I know how we all feel about engine additives.... But I gave in the other day and tried using Sea Foam to see what might happen. I'll be goddamned, but the slight misfire I had, AND the hesitation in the low RPM range BOTH have gone away! I specificaly did not do any other work on the car at the same time in order to see what happened... At this point, I can say without any doubt, GO GET SOME! My '71 un-rebuilt engine, run on the wrong grade of gas with no oil change for "how many years?", is running and idling PERFECTLY! BTW, the gas and the oil I just mentioned was not my doing... previous owner

Bookwus · 03 April 2010, 03:58

Hiya 71,

Just out of curiosity...............

How did you use the SeaFoam? Into the engine oil or into the fuel delivery system?

68autobug · 03 April 2010, 05:23

Hi
Well, I've never heard of Sea Foam..
what an unusual [wierd] nam

sounds like it would have to be a fuel additive??

I used PRO-Ma fuel and engine additives back in the 80s-90s in non VWs..

but haven't used anything in My beetle...
not even lead replacement additives

cheers

LEE

...

tmea · 03 April 2010, 06:06

Superbug:

I'm also interested in how you used it. I have some experience with the product and have done some extensive reading on the subject. It absolutely does clean the inside of your engine. Unfortunately this isn't always a good idea. In your case my guess is that it most likely freed up a slightly sticking valve which probably made your engine run smoother. I guess in the short term that seems OK but in the long term is not necessairly good and overall probably bad. Let me explain:

The product is essentialy kerosene. It will clean out the inside of your engine well. Where this becomes destructive is when it removes dirt or carbon that is actually doing your engine good. Specifically in two areas; the sides of your pistons frequently appear burned or carbon marked. This is the beneficial part of "dirt". It is accounting for the imperfections in the roundness of your pistons or cylinders by filling in those gaps and decreasing friction and increasing sealing. same goes for very small portions of your rings. The other areas "dirt" is essential is in refining the sealing surfaces of your valve seats. There are other areas were "dirt" or carbon performs the same essential function. The product you used removes all of this which is not good at all. Over the long term I would argue it will shorten the life of your engine.

My belief and experience is that if you simply ensure you change your oil frequently and use a good quality HD oil you will have the best of both worlds and will probably not get stuck valves either.

68autobug · 08 April 2010, 05:10

Now I see its an oil additive...
and not a good one... Many years ago I bought a bottle of engine cleaner..
You pour it in the oil and run the engine for a few minutes...
so it cleans out Your engine... and all the junk is captured in the oil filter..
[in a late car with an oil filter]

I still wouldn't use it in My beetle...
even though the inside of My engine is still relatively new
but very dirty at each oil change...

Lee

kimbill · 08 April 2010, 16:58

[quote .........even though the inside of My engine is still relatively new
but very dirty at each oil change...
[/quote]

After a 1000 miles our (87,000_ looks like it went in -- Castrol 20w-50 -- 87k mileage -- maybe it

kimbill · 11 April 2010, 03:41

Quote from: kimbill on 08 April 2010, 16:58
[quote .........even though the inside of My engine is still relatively new
but very dirty at each oil change...

After a 1000 miles our (87,000_ looks like it went in -- Castrol 20w-50 -- 87k mileage -- maybe it
[/quote]

Oooops ..... That's what happens when a two-fingered typist, has a few beers...... I meant to say, "Maybe it wasn't detergent oil.".... Regarding kerosene in Sea Foam, I remember my dad saying Rolls Royce would run kerosene through the engines of cars return to the factory for routine service. He worked at RR, and ran kerosene through the old Buick Straight Eight.

Bill

johnr · 13 April 2010, 16:52

I was taught from a very early age (pre-oil filters) that dirty oil was a good sign. The oil was holding the dirt in suspension and when you changed, the crap went away with the old oil.

68autobug · 17 April 2010, 12:29

Some people say their oil doesn't get dirty...!!
but Mine does after about 1000kms..
when I take the CB Performance extra sump off at each oil change..
I take the tappet covers off and clean them...
I also wipe out inside the sump
so its as clean as I can get it... when I put fresh oil in...

Castrol GTX2 20w/50 oil...

cheers

LEE

PS: I still wouldn't like to pour Kerosene into My engine.... lol

71superbug · 06 May 2010, 04:38

BELIEVE me, I understand what the hubub about additives is. I've heard it all for the last 25 years. The engine needs a re-build anyway, so I though what the hell, people I trust have been happy with it so.... And I will tell you, a month and a half or so in, the engine has NEVER run so smooth, or quiet, gas mileage has gone up by 3 miles a gallon. My oil isn't black either, slightly darker. I think most of the crud has blown out the tailpipes. And good riddance. At this point I would gladly say that in lieu of a rebuild, this'll work for a while. Buys me some time to save more dough for the inevitable rebuild