Any use putting Seafoam in my tank?

[GearheadTool]

I would like to run some cleaner in my Volvo. Just got it. Now.. I havent added ANYTHING yet, except some gas. I have half a tank, or 12 gallons (not sure how big my tank is but the gauge is in the middle) and I am having issue waiting for the Redline SI-1 to come in the mail, which I alternate 3oz and 1oz doses per every other tank with.

Does Seafoam help anything? Let us assume one ounce per gallon, OR whole 15-oz can in on my 12 gallons.. Thanks!

 

[Falken]

I ALWAYS get snakeoil misgivings AFTER adding anything to my fuel.

My advice: Don't bother.

If you have to add anything, stick to the Redline you are waiting for.

I have used it and somewhat trust it, but it may give you some misfire codes if you have a lot of carbon in your combustion chamber if you ran [censored] fuel.

I used to use ESSO all the time, but I have found that it is the dirtiest top tier fuel by a large margin, so I gave up my Shell boycott and couldn't be happier with Shell gas.

I have used Redline Sl-1 and it gave me misfire codes and a check engine light, but it happened in the early spring so I was wondering if it was just bad fuel. Again, that fuel was from Esso.

But, Redline Sl-1 did seem to improve things, but not in quantifiable ways. I seem to remember my fuel economy gauge would be around 7.3L / 100 km after using it for the following 10 or so tanks of fuel before going back to around 8L / 100 km again. I do mainly city driving.

 

[NHGUY]

Seafoam is Iso alcohol,kerosene and naptha.Wont do anything special.

 

[Artem]

I've used Redline Sl-1 for YEARS and never had any issues. Of course i don't pour the whole bottle in at once either. I follow redline's previous recommendations of doing small maintenance doses.

I've also used Amsoil's Pi fuel additive as well with the same good results. (No negative results) and all engines run well after a few light maintenance doses over several tanks of gas.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Seafoam is Iso alcohol,kerosene and naptha.Wont do anything special.


Wow...they charge $10 for a pint and that's the ingredients...

 

[mechtech2]

It will clean some things. It is a strong solvent, but not with modern technology.

 

[steve20]

Hey Falken
Kind of off topic, but in your sig you mention Honda ATF DW1 is a full synthetic---anywhere I can get some background on it-?- I use it in my Accord, but I really thought it was a syn blend

 

[Falken]

steve20

In Canada a company can say what it wants, where it wants, how it wants.

The Acura 0W20 is the SM formulation, that is the only thing that makes it special with more Moly.

It is just a GrIII "synthetic". The 0W has pour point surfactants that gives it a slight cool-start performance.

If you can't get a 0W for 6$ or less, go for a 5W20 PP and call it a day.

I do get a 1L/100 km benefit, and have had record MPGs since using 0W20, but I also switched from religious ESSO use to Shell, so who knows really.

Edit: just realized you were talking about ATF. Yes, the DW-1 gives me quick shifts in cold weather. Go ahead and upgrade, well worth it. The factory Z1 stuff gave slow shifts from 1-2 while cold.

 

[riff1006]

I've used an ounce of seafoam per gallon for my chainsaw/blower/trimmer and haven't had them in the shop since. The chainsaw in particular would refuse to run almost every year until I did this. I've since switched to Sta-bil and no problems there either.

 

[steve20]

thanks Falken-I was asking about the 'full synthetic' tag you placed on the DW-1. The only marketing I've seen on it indicates it is semi-syn

 

[bigmike]

A bit of history first: I've used MMO for 15 or so years in the fuel, usually a little under the recommended dosage, with good results. My driving has changed some in the past few years and I noticed some drop in MPG. Tried TCW3 alone, and tried TCW3 mixed with MMO, and not much changed. I've used fuel cleaners and still do before each oil change. Redline appears to be the best I've used.

I now mix a little seafoam and MMO together. Usually under dose around 5-6 oz per 15-20 gallons of gas. This seems to be the magic number for getting slightly better MPG, over the average. Probably around .2-.5 MPG better, if I had to shoot an off the cuff number.

 

[burnrider]

Originally Posted By: riff1006
I've used an ounce of seafoam per gallon for my chainsaw/blower/trimmer and haven't had them in the shop since. The chainsaw in particular would refuse to run almost every year until I did this. I've since switched to Sta-bil and no problems there either.


Same experience w/SF. Still use seafoam twice a year in the cars. Dealer recommends fuel system cleaning every 30K for Toyota due to 10% ethanol fuel. Cheaper by the gallon.