Any Pros, Cons?
Auto Rx v SeaFoam
- Thread starter Spitty
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How does seafoam work?
Auto RX is what I use in my cars and trucks...and in my friends cars and trucks etc.
Sea Foam is what I use in the worst total junkers to see if I can improve them.
Sea Foam is a solvent approach...and it can work. But why use it in a valuable engine when there's Auto RX?
Sea Foam is what I use in the worst total junkers to see if I can improve them.
Sea Foam is a solvent approach...and it can work. But why use it in a valuable engine when there's Auto RX?
Well, for one thing, with Sea Foam you get to smoke your whole neighborhood up.
Everybody knows your combustion chambers are CLEAN!!
Everybody knows your combustion chambers are CLEAN!!
I've used both and all I've ever seen is a trail of white smoke from using Seafoam.
ARX on the other hand has made an improvement in the cylinder compression and MPG in my 97 Saturn with 170K and I'm only in the clean phase. I'm expecting even more improvements.
Its also being used in my 92 325 but have not done a follow up comp test (yet) to confirm any improvements but the performance increase can be felt as in the Saturn.
ARX on the other hand has made an improvement in the cylinder compression and MPG in my 97 Saturn with 170K and I'm only in the clean phase. I'm expecting even more improvements.
Its also being used in my 92 325 but have not done a follow up comp test (yet) to confirm any improvements but the performance increase can be felt as in the Saturn.
My 95 Caravan no longer consumes any oil, and it gets 3 more mpg now. I am only 400 miles into the rinse phase, and it feels like a new engine. I highly recommend ARX.
Seafoam's primary chemistry is solvent and it can have detrimental effects to seals, etc. if not applied according to instructions; AutoRx is based on esters and bears no detrimental effects to seals (solvent, for what it's worth, is known to attack many elastomeric materials used in cars, such as seals, o-rings, etc.).
Some may claim that Seafoam attacks the dirt/sludge/grime better than the other cleaner but IMHO I like it the gentle way, non-invasive way such as AutoRx.
Some may claim that Seafoam attacks the dirt/sludge/grime better than the other cleaner but IMHO I like it the gentle way, non-invasive way such as AutoRx.
I have used Sea Foam in my Camry by sucking it through the vacuum system of the car. About 5oz and let it site for about 15 minutes then restart the car. Have to do it slowly to avoid hydrolock. It will dissolve all the carbon in the EGR system. What is your car? ARX is added to the oil and drive for 2500 miles. Although, SeaFoam claims that it can also clean by adding to the oil for about 50 to 100 miles ONLY. It is a solvent and dilute the oil, so if your engine is really dirty, it gives a chance to dislodge a big chunk of carbon which potentially may clog your oil system.
In conclusion, use ARX in your oil and SeaFoam in your vacuum system, if applicable (depends on the car).
In conclusion, use ARX in your oil and SeaFoam in your vacuum system, if applicable (depends on the car).
O.K. I'm going to order a bottle of ARX and give it a go. My Truck is an 84 Toyota with a 22R, it has a total of 43k and has spent most of it's life in storage. I'm not having any real problems, but looking into the oil filler, things seem a little crusty! during the last OCI (3k) the engine also used 1 quart of oil, not bad, but not usual for a 22R.
You will be glad you did Spitty.
By the way. Frank ships really fast. You will be better off ordering it from him.
By the way. Frank ships really fast. You will be better off ordering it from him.
An '84 with only 43k? Wow!
I do use Seafoam as a upper engine cleaner from time to time. That's where the smoke show comes from. Can't say that it ever did my vehicles much good, but maybe they weren't in a state of needed the top end cleaned???
I'm going to give ARx a try in my Ranger as soon as this next OCI comes up. I'm hoping it'll quiet down the top end some!
I do use Seafoam as a upper engine cleaner from time to time. That's where the smoke show comes from. Can't say that it ever did my vehicles much good, but maybe they weren't in a state of needed the top end cleaned???
I'm going to give ARx a try in my Ranger as soon as this next OCI comes up. I'm hoping it'll quiet down the top end some!
I used to use Seafoam in the way that you mention, and could never "feel" a difference. I now use Red Line SI-1, and can really tell a difference after a "dose".
You'll be glad that you did the Auto Rx treatment. You'll be shocked by what ends up in the filter after the rinse phase.
You'll be glad that you did the Auto Rx treatment. You'll be shocked by what ends up in the filter after the rinse phase.
Be careful with the replies in this thread. Some posters have switched applications on you.
When you ask about ARX vs Seafoam, you're asking about a crank case oil treatment. And Seafoam does have a cleaning procedure for using it in the crankcase.
But some people have replied about using it in the intake system and as a combustion chamber cleaner. That is a whole different use for Seafoam and that use does not apply to ARX whatsoever. It is also the most common application of Seafoam - a cc cleaner ingested through the intake tract.
When you ask about ARX vs Seafoam, you're asking about a crank case oil treatment. And Seafoam does have a cleaning procedure for using it in the crankcase.
But some people have replied about using it in the intake system and as a combustion chamber cleaner. That is a whole different use for Seafoam and that use does not apply to ARX whatsoever. It is also the most common application of Seafoam - a cc cleaner ingested through the intake tract.
Originally Posted By: va3ux
Be careful with the replies in this thread. Some posters have switched applications on you.
When you ask about ARX vs Seafoam, you're asking about a crank case oil treatment. And Seafoam does have a cleaning procedure for using it in the crankcase.
But some people have replied about using it in the intake system and as a combustion chamber cleaner. That is a whole different use for Seafoam and that use does not apply to ARX whatsoever. It is also the most common application of Seafoam - a cc cleaner ingested through the intake tract.
Correct. THe "smoke" is from combustion chamber, not crankcase cleaning. IMHO, Seafoam isn't even a GOOD solvent.
Be careful with the replies in this thread. Some posters have switched applications on you.
When you ask about ARX vs Seafoam, you're asking about a crank case oil treatment. And Seafoam does have a cleaning procedure for using it in the crankcase.
But some people have replied about using it in the intake system and as a combustion chamber cleaner. That is a whole different use for Seafoam and that use does not apply to ARX whatsoever. It is also the most common application of Seafoam - a cc cleaner ingested through the intake tract.
Correct. THe "smoke" is from combustion chamber, not crankcase cleaning. IMHO, Seafoam isn't even a GOOD solvent.
Is Seaform in the intake manifold better than plain water?
From what I have read, water is the best at removing deposits for combustion chamber cleaning.
Originally Posted By: BarkerMan
Is Seaform in the intake manifold better than plain water?
Water is pretty good... just do it correctly - hot engine, small amounts, use lots of water.
It's easier to use Seafoam since it burns better than water...
Is Seaform in the intake manifold better than plain water?
Water is pretty good... just do it correctly - hot engine, small amounts, use lots of water.
It's easier to use Seafoam since it burns better than water...
Seafoam in the cranckcase is a great product.
As a flush, you can use it full strength added 5-15 minutes before an oil/ATf change.
As an oil treatment, you can add an ounce to each quart for the duration of the service interval.
Seafoam is also a good fuel system cleaner. You don't need to dump in down the carb or draw it in through the intake for it to work. Simply dump a full can or 2 into the gas tank while you're filling it up.
As a flush, you can use it full strength added 5-15 minutes before an oil/ATf change.
As an oil treatment, you can add an ounce to each quart for the duration of the service interval.
Seafoam is also a good fuel system cleaner. You don't need to dump in down the carb or draw it in through the intake for it to work. Simply dump a full can or 2 into the gas tank while you're filling it up.
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