HELP - How do I SeaFoam 1998 4Runner 3RZ-FE?

[tripsydipsy]

I recently purchased a bottle of SeaFoam and plan on giving my 4Runner the treatment, but I haven't been able to find any good instructions or videos for treating the 98 4Runner 3RZ-FE specifically. Can anyone help me with this?

Cheers!

 

[csp]

Read the instructions on the can. There's nothing special about your engine that requires anything different other than what the can says.

 

[Kanoe]

This is how I have done it, not to say it is correct or best for what it's worth.

If you look on the top of the throttle body, there are 3 small vacum lines together, EGR lines etc. These are near the throttle plate and positioned so each intake runner gets it's sea foam dose. I used one of these small lines (can't remember which one at the moment, but one is shorter and easier to use). I got a large syringe minus the needle, the plastic syringe fits perfectly inside the small vacuum line and makes a great small funnel.

I then measured out the required amount of sea foam in a cup. Get someone to sit in the truck and hold the RPMs up slightly and slowly pour your sea foam into your syringe funnel. Shut the truck down as soon as you have finished pouring, reattach the hose you used and follow the directions on the can.

I didn't see any improvement on the 4runner but my old corolla which suffered pre-ignition knock showed great improvement with regular sea foaming.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Just curious but why do you want to Seafoam.

Do U have any particular reason?

Did you read the sticky? Or do a search? I know seafoam will pull up some links.

 

[tripsydipsy]

[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] I bought the truck used a few weeks ago so I just want to do as much as I can to get it to the best shape possible. I did quite a few searches and decided to ask y'all on here in hopes of finding a more extensive explanation.

 

[UnderFire]

If you really want to make sure the engines in tip top shape. I'd pull the valve cover off real quick, really easy on the 3rz and you'll actually know what kind of shape its in. I don't believe in seafoam as a miracle cure like some people seem to.

 

[BrianSD_42]

The reason I asked is because if the truck runs great now then do you really want to Seafoam it?

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Before you go and seafoam it I would check for cracks in the exhaust manifold. That's way more detrimental to the 3rz than a bit of oil gunk in the engine.

 

[Range]

to add to this discussion I wouldn't use sea foam. I know others have done it but I would use the 3 stage intake cleaner instead. I had this done on my truck, it was billowing white smoke then cleared up. Throttle response got better, gas mileage didn't change. Too much sea foam and you can do damage.

 

[3rzrunner]

[MENTION=128069]tripsydipsy[/MENTION] sorry for the late response, but I think the guys here have covered it. I ran seafoam down the vac lines and the throttle response did improve. I also run it in the fuel often to keep the injectors and valves clean.

 

[tripsydipsy]

So I am trying to add SeaFoam through my vacuum lines, but my engine dies as soon as I disconnect the PCV hose. How else can I suck the seafoam in through the vacuum lines?

 

[tripsydipsy]

[MENTION=102449]Kanoe[/MENTION] which of the hoses did you disconnect and from which side? I'm trying to suck up the SeaFoam, but my engine dies immediately after disconnecting the PCV hose. :/

 

[Kanoe]

Yes, I think you are right, the PCV line will make the engine stall. Do not use the PCV line.

Its the 3 small vacuum lines on top of the throttle body. They are about 1/4 inch in diameter. The one I use is the shortest one which goes to the EGR modulator. This hose is about 5 inches long only. Your engine will not die with this line off, or if it tries to you can easily keep it running with throttle. When standing in front of the engine this line will be farthest right, to the drivers side. These lines are small, hence the need of a syringe for a funnel - and they are all side by side on top of the throttle body. Just pull the end off the EGR modulator and stick your funnel in the line.

Hope this helps. This is on my 96 5spd 3rz. Yours may be different???

 

[tripsydipsy]

That is the method I chose. Thanks for the response Kanoe! I didn't have any white smoke coming out of my exhaust afterward.

 

[chimpy]

If you really want to make sure the engines in tip top shape. I'd pull the valve cover off real quick, really easy on the 3rz and you'll actually know what kind of shape its in. I don't believe in seafoam as a miracle cure like some people seem to.

Also-vacuum and compression test; the best basic tests you can do yourself on the cheap. You can also pull the dipstick and check it for the smell of gasoline.

 

[gamefreakgc]

That is the method I chose. Thanks for the response Kanoe! I didn't have any white smoke coming out of my exhaust afterward.

Did you pour it in, or let the engine suck it in? You should have white smoke, unless it went in too slow and burned it all off or it found its way into something it was not supposed to.

I ended up with a can of seafoam spray and tried that for kicks and it's way easier to use and just as effective in my case. Also, having someone apply a little throttle goes a long way when applying.

Seafoam does work but it's a just a quick-fix sort of thing. I never saw any huge improvements from any of my vehicles but definitely cleaned out a lot of carbon from the engine.

 

[tripsydipsy]

I poured it in through an egr line. I think it might have burned it off too fast because I did have my brother revvin at about 2k rpm the entire time I was pouring it on. I only poured 1/3 of the bottle in.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I poured it in through an egr line. I think it might have burned it off too fast because I did have my brother revvin at about 2k rpm the entire time I was pouring it on. I only poured 1/3 of the bottle in.

Take off your air intake hose and check the chambers in it. 10 bucks says you'll pour out a puddle of seafoam. I did it like that the first time a while ago and I thought it was sucking it in, only to find out it wasn't.

 

[tripsydipsy]

[MENTION=115347]gamefreakgc[/MENTION] Thanks for the heads up! I'll check it out soon. Secondly, how could I add seafoam if my engine dies immediately after I disconnect the pcv line or brake booster line?

 

[gamefreakgc]

[MENTION=115347]gamefreakgc[/MENTION] Thanks for the heads up! I'll check it out soon. Secondly, how could I add seafoam if my engine dies immediately after I disconnect the pcv line or brake booster line?

If someone's on the gas it won't die. Have them rev up the engine a little and then take off the hose. Putting the hose in the bottle is better than pouring it in, if you are going to pour it in it's better to use a brake booster line like the bottle says.

Or just use the Seafoam Spray, it's way easier. Still requires someone on the throttle to keep the throttle valve open though.