Seafoam?

[naphthoylindole]

My friend has a 2002 CR-V with probably over 100k miles on it. Maybe up to 150. It doesn't run the best, I can't convince him to pay to get it looked at or buy a new/used car so I'm looking at seafoam.

What exactly does this stuff do? Is this the kind of situation to use it?

 

[chubbs1]

Seafoam is a solvent and may clean out your engine a little but I really think just using a good major conventional or HM oil with 3-5k OCI's is all that is necessary to keep the engine clean and in good working order. Check the PCV valve and change it out if it has not been replaced recently. Forget the solvent cleaners.

 

[Clevy]

Cleans clogged vacuum lines and its alcohol so if mixed with oil it dissolves crud.

 

[JohnnyZ52]

I've used seafoam, not sure how well it worked, for the price I figured what the heck. Used with oil and in gas tank.

I would just recommend a few short OCI with a good cleaning oil and filter, clean or change PCV valve, change out coil packs/spark plugs n whatnot, and check/change all fluids.

 

[simple_gifts]

Do the basics first like tune up.

 

[ethangsmith]

I run the engine at idle and suck it slowly through a small vacuum line. Rev the engine now and then so it doesn't stall. Once you get down to about a quarter of a bottle, let the engine draw it in and flood itself and stall. Wait 5 minutes and restart the engine (It may be difficult and require a little throttle...) and drive it right away. You'll get clouds of crud and smoke out the tailpipe but after some driving, it should run better. I've done this to several higher mileage cars and it seems to make them run a bit nicer. I guess it cleans the gunk off the injectors and valves.

 

[randomhero439]

Originally Posted By: ethangsmith
I run the engine at idle and suck it slowly through a small vacuum line. Rev the engine now and then so it doesn't stall. Once you get down to about a quarter of a bottle, let the engine draw it in and flood itself and stall. Wait 5 minutes and restart the engine (It may be difficult and require a little throttle...) and drive it right away. You'll get clouds of crud and smoke out the tailpipe but after some driving, it should run better. I've done this to several higher mileage cars and it seems to make them run a bit nicer. I guess it cleans the gunk off the injectors and valves.


Give it a couple WOT pulls to blast out the carbon.

Aside from running it through the intake manifold to clean the valves in pistons, You could also dump some in the crankcase and gas. Do these three steps on your last tank of gas before you change your oil. So about 300miles this solvent is in the crankcase. Should help.

Personally i would just run a couple quick 2500 mile changes of Pennzoil Platinum.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: naphthoylindole
My friend has a 2002 CR-V with probably over 100k miles on it. Maybe up to 150. It doesn't run the best,


Please elaborate... what is it doing?

 

[surfstar]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Do the basics first like tune up.


+1

Sounds like a neglected car. Do the neglected maintenance to get it back on track.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: ethangsmith
I run the engine at idle and suck it slowly through a small vacuum line. Rev the engine now and then so it doesn't stall. Once you get down to about a quarter of a bottle, let the engine draw it in and flood itself and stall. Wait 5 minutes and restart the engine (It may be difficult and require a little throttle...) and drive it right away. You'll get clouds of crud and smoke out the tailpipe but after some driving, it should run better. I've done this to several higher mileage cars and it seems to make them run a bit nicer. I guess it cleans the gunk off the injectors and valves.



I did this to both my 01 RX, and my current RX. Didnt bother my 2001, but when I did this vacuum line procedure to my current RX330 it wouldn't shut off. it kept Dieseling on me, I had a Helluva time getting it to shut down. I use it in my fuel a lot though. Especially during the winter months with this cruddy fuel.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Do the basics first like tune up.


+1

Sounds like a neglected car. Do the neglected maintenance to get it back on track.


+2 You might as well run the cleaners through now then do a tuneup. That way you wont clog the new plugs with crud that might be lifted. Seafoam it through a vacuum line and throw the rest in the tank. Run that then fill it one more time and run that. Then change the plugs, wires and PCV valve.