A couple of weeks ago, I asked about the B-12 Chemtool “Total Combustion System Cleaning Kit.” Here is the thread for reference:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=004775
I ordered the kit and used it. Here’s my report.
This product is meant to be sucked into a vacuum line and into a running engine, just like Seafoam. However, the directions state explicitly that this product is NOT designed to be poured into the gas tank. Seafoam can go into the tank or into a vacuum port. This product comes with a unique hose “device.” One end has a tapered plug on it that will fit into just about any size hose. Plug this tapered end into a hose that’s connected to a vacuum port on your engine. The other end of the hose, the end that goes into the can, has a plastic plug with a tiny pinhole in it to regulate the speed the liquid gets sucked into the engine. In the middle of the hose, there is a “Y” shaped splitter. The spare end of this splitter (the other two ends go to the can and the engine) is open to the air. This allows air to mix with the solvent as it is drawn into your engine.
The directions say to set everything up and then start the engine. It doesn’t mention cold or warm engine, but I warmed mine up first. I didn’t like the idea of starting the engine with a vacuum leak and solvent getting drawn in. What I did was attach the hose to a vacuum port and put tape on the other two ends. Next, I started the engine. Once it was running, I removed the tape from the air inlet part of the hose, and then stuck the other end into the can.
The hose is clear, so you can see the solvent passing through it. You can see it change from liquid to a spray at the point in the hose where the air comes in. The vacuum leak it causes is so small it doesn’t affect the idle. The directions say it will take 8 to 12 minutes to drain the entire can depending on your engine. Mine took close to 12 minutes. Unlike Seafoam, which tends to choke off the engine, your car should idle fine with this setup. At least, that’s what the directions say, and that was my experience. It says to rev the engine occasionally. There is no soak period, like Seafoam.
After using the entire can, I button upped my engine and went for a drive. There was some stumbling and hesitation at first, I think while it was getting burned off, but that went away quickly. There was a small amount of smoke.
It occurred to me that it would be possible to secure the can inside the engine compartment somehow, set it all up, and drive with this in place. You wouldn’t have to use the can it comes with, you could pour this solvent into any container under the hood. If you were really clever (or obsessive compulsive, you decide), you could rig a 12V switch in the line to turn this on or off. I haven’t tried this.
The hose device could also be used with any other product, like Seafoam or even water. I haven’t tried this either.
According to the MSDS, this product is all solvent, where Seafoam has a light oil in it. This product doesn’t smoke like Seafoam does, but you can sure smell the solvent in the exhaust! It has a surfactant in it, which I think helps atomize it when it gets mixed with the air.
Oh, the results. Good. I’d say the results are better than using Seafoam. You know the difference you feel after a tank of Techron? Well, it seems somewhat better than that. Of course, I’m sure it depends on how dirty your valves or combustion chambers are to begin with. If they’re clean, you won’t get any results. I’ve never had a Motorvac treatment, but it seems that it would be pretty similar, although Motorvac would clean the injectors as well.
If you have any questions, post them here and I’ll try to respond.
