Seafoam?
- Thread starter t4rBeast
- Start date
Jeff4runner
New member
I think you might mean PCV, or Positive Crankcase Ventilation. It is a hose near the valvetrain (aka valves, lifters, or top of the engine), that is attached to either the valve cover, or valvetrain. Just google it for your specific engine/model year. Either way, just look for a vacuum line of any sort that leads to the throttle body, or distributes evenly to all cylinders.
You do not need an oil change if you only seafoam the intake (vacuum line). If you pour some into the crankcase (seafoaming the oil), or the body of the engine where the crankshaft, pistons, and rods are, it will make the sludge coagulate and begin to block the oil filter. If you seafoam by pouring into the crankcase, drive it moderately for 20-30 minutes, then change the oil. It could be dangerous if its longer than that, like a day or two, but its not going to explode if you go over 30 minutes. It cleans the oil channels and sludge very well.
SUBTEGRAL
Banned
Sea Foam like this:
100 miles before next oil change.
add 1/3 can to gas tank
add 1/3 can to oil (crankcase)
add 1/3 can to main vacuum line while rpm's are kept at 1500.
(the main vacuum line disconnects from the brake booster)
Shut off engine and wait 10 minutes or up to an hour (hot soak)
Drive until smoke stops pouring out of tailpipe.
100 miles before next oil change.
add 1/3 can to gas tank
add 1/3 can to oil (crankcase)
add 1/3 can to main vacuum line while rpm's are kept at 1500.
(the main vacuum line disconnects from the brake booster)
Shut off engine and wait 10 minutes or up to an hour (hot soak)
Drive until smoke stops pouring out of tailpipe.
how long before the smoke stops?
Idrv2yotas
New member
when I did mine, I used the spray system through the throttle body. After seafoaming I can tell the change and a better gas mileage.
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You guys used the spray version? Do I only need one can? Is this the correct one?
Amazon.com: SEA FOAM SPRAY - 12 OZ. AEROSOL: Automotive
Amazon.com: SEA FOAM SPRAY - 12 OZ. AEROSOL: Automotive
Seafoam it! Safe?
I have been reading the seafoam threads here and it seems like it will work in my vehicle to. I have 1998 4Runner, 5VZ-FE 3400 V6 Quad Cam engine, 4WD, auto tranny with 201K miles. It runs really good especially since I put the proper dual-electrode plugs in it. However, the previous owner did not change the oil when it was due (if ever). There is considerable build up of "crap" from what I can see under the oil filler cap. I'm just worried that if I put Seafoam in it it will clean too good and plug up the oil pick up screen on the oil sump pump. The last thing I want to do is pull the oil pan off, especially since it is bone dry and does not leak! Will Seafoam be safe enough to use in a high milage engine (201,000 miles) with questionable background maintenance?
I have been reading the seafoam threads here and it seems like it will work in my vehicle to. I have 1998 4Runner, 5VZ-FE 3400 V6 Quad Cam engine, 4WD, auto tranny with 201K miles. It runs really good especially since I put the proper dual-electrode plugs in it. However, the previous owner did not change the oil when it was due (if ever). There is considerable build up of "crap" from what I can see under the oil filler cap. I'm just worried that if I put Seafoam in it it will clean too good and plug up the oil pick up screen on the oil sump pump. The last thing I want to do is pull the oil pan off, especially since it is bone dry and does not leak! Will Seafoam be safe enough to use in a high milage engine (201,000 miles) with questionable background maintenance?
BigRogers
New member
So my CEL, TRAC & VSC lights are all on. Since I have already done all this last year, i was thinking it may just be a clogged line, which is one of the reasons the lights can be on according to the FSM. The truck has 184k miles on it and i have been wanting to give the seafoam a whirl anyhow. Do you think it is wise to do while the CEL and other lights are on? May be just running a good fuel system cleaner instead?
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Jeff4runner
New member
The traction control system may be an unrelated issue in terms of seafoaming. However, it would be a good option to properly diagnose what is wrong with the electronics just to be absolutely sure. Im not entirely familiar with the 3rd gen system, but the TRAC/VSC is disabled on mine (4th gen). One question, do the CEL, and VSC/TRAC lights come on immediately after start-up, or once you physically start moving. It might be a simple issue such as a Zero Point Calibration, or a ridiculous $900 yaw rate sensor. Mine are on, but the CEL isn't on and only activates when the car rolls.
BigRogers
New member
When the CEL is activated the VSC and TRAC lights all come on. Basically as a visual assistance to the CEL. I totally agree on having the vehicle looked over, but i also know that i have replaced all the big parts to the error code (P0442 - Evap system) and all that really left to replace is the tubing. So i thought a fuel system cleaner might be an inexpensive place to start the process, hence the seafoam as i have always wanted to give that stuff a shot :naughty:
mytyeerinpie
New member
I didn't read the thread but I thought I would throw this in, I was told to NEVER use seafoam on a gas engine as it strips the oil off the valves, I was told to add a little ATF to your oil before you change your oil maybe 200 miles or so before, and it cleans the crap out of everything.
Jeff4runner
New member
If you're talking about the oil from the crankcase, it wont matter if it strips it. The valves get "fresh" oil every time the engine cycles on and pumps oil. Seafoam is safe enough where it wont hurt anything, much like ATF cleans gunk out of the engine. However, with newer vehicles (4th gen and over) its not a good idea due to the multitude of fluid types (type 3/4/WS Merc/Dex etc.) and the properties of the fluid are different than standard crankcase oil. Seafoam is a coagulant of sludge, so it will only fill your oil filter faster (hence do before changing oil), and can blend with the oil. You might be thinking of filling diesel fuel filters with ATF for start up cleaning, because its not a better alternative for putting in the crankcase.
swampy_swimmer
New member
PCV hose or Throttle Body?
I decided to bring this thread back up for reason that I couldn't find answer to my question that might seem obvious to most of you: the best port to add it in with the SeaFoam recent invention (the spray can with hook and tube), is it still the PCV hose or now the TB?
Thanks.
I decided to bring this thread back up for reason that I couldn't find answer to my question that might seem obvious to most of you: the best port to add it in with the SeaFoam recent invention (the spray can with hook and tube), is it still the PCV hose or now the TB?
Thanks.
SJC
New member
Yeah i still dont know what hole to put it in ...
zonianbrat
New member
bump.
Toyota_Thom
New member
2009 Toyota 4runner V6 4.0L 4WD SR5
Obviously about to do the seafoam treatment ....
Help! Am I going crazy, blind or just ignorant of where to look? I have been searching and searching online for a bleeping photo of my brake booster and hose because I can't find it in my engine compartment! I have seen all the nice photos of the black brake boosters and the easy to get to hose sitting nicely behind all the other master cylinders in multiple years in multiple Toyota vehicles. But not my 2009 4runner. One place I saw a photo of a black squared off booster module that sits on the side of the master cylinder I believe but again, no brake booster. The master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir sits right against the firewall! Does my 4runner even have a brake booster and hose? Where is it?
If not, can someone point out exactly where the pvc line is then? I'm a visual learner, and reading something gets me part way there. Seeing it done or detailed photos with decriptions, and I can repeat it no problem. Thanks in advance for any real detailed and descriptive help.
Again, I have a 2009, 4Runner, V6, 4.0L 4WD SR5
:wtf:
Obviously about to do the seafoam treatment ....
Help! Am I going crazy, blind or just ignorant of where to look? I have been searching and searching online for a bleeping photo of my brake booster and hose because I can't find it in my engine compartment! I have seen all the nice photos of the black brake boosters and the easy to get to hose sitting nicely behind all the other master cylinders in multiple years in multiple Toyota vehicles. But not my 2009 4runner. One place I saw a photo of a black squared off booster module that sits on the side of the master cylinder I believe but again, no brake booster. The master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir sits right against the firewall! Does my 4runner even have a brake booster and hose? Where is it?
If not, can someone point out exactly where the pvc line is then? I'm a visual learner, and reading something gets me part way there. Seeing it done or detailed photos with decriptions, and I can repeat it no problem. Thanks in advance for any real detailed and descriptive help.
Again, I have a 2009, 4Runner, V6, 4.0L 4WD SR5
:wtf:
If you have the spray Seafoam with the hook and tube, spraying in through the throttle body makes the most sense/convenience. On my 3rd gen, the tube that attaches to the front of the TB has a slight notch at the top that the spray tube fits perfectly into and allows a tighter seal once you attach the tube back onto the TB before spraying the Seafoam.
Plus spraying it in this way gives a higher assurance that the Seafoam is going in through all of the intake manifold passages and applying the Seafoam uniformly.
