Seafoam'd the 4Runner

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Just did this on my '06 V6 with 140K miles. I doubt the previous owner had any type of fuel service done before because the plumes of smoke kept coming for over 5 minutes straight. I also added 1/2 the bottle to my 1/2 full gas tank. She definitely seemed to be running better...well, until the MAF sensor coincidentally happened to bite the dust later that day (engine codes p0171 and p0174 - fuel system too lean on bank 1 and bank 2 respectively). I Googled the codes and found out that both these codes together point to a dirty/faulty MAF. The symptoms were just as the thread described, very rough idle and would try to stall at stops. Perhaps this was directly related to Sea Foam-ing the top end though the vacuum line and possibly getting some crud on the heated wires.

After doing some searching here on the boards, I found a thread that demonstrates how to clean the MAF with CRC cleaner, so I tried that first. However, that didn't seem to work, still idled like crap and stalled. I then found a suggestion on testing for a faulty MAF on another board by leaving the MAF harness unplugged after disconnecting the negative battery terminal for 15 min. to reset the ECU. After I reconnected the battery and started her up, she idled in "limp mode" without stalling. With that said, I ended up replacing the MAF sensor with a reman. one from O'Reilly's ($80) after spraying it with CRC MAF cleaner didn't resolve the issue. All is well now. No more CEL for 100+ miles and my T4R and I are both happy campers :).
 
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cgl4au said:
Just did this on my '06 V6 with 140K miles. I doubt the previous owner had any type of fuel service done before because the plumes of smoke kept coming for over 5 minutes straight. I also added 1/2 the bottle to my 1/2 full gas tank. She definitely seemed to be running better...well, until the MAF sensor coincidentally happened to bite the dust later that day (engine codes p0171 and p0174 - fuel system too lean on bank 1 and bank 2 respectively). I Googled the codes and found out that both these codes together point to a dirty/faulty MAF. The symptoms were just as the thread described, very rough idle and would try to stall at stops. Perhaps this was directly related to Sea Foam-ing the top end though the vacuum line and possibly getting some crud on the heated wires.

After doing some searching here on the boards, I found a thread that demonstrates how to clean the MAF with CRC cleaner, so I tried that first. However, that didn't seem to work, still idled like crap and stalled. I then found a suggestion on testing for a faulty MAF on another board by leaving the MAF harness unplugged after disconnecting the negative battery terminal for 15 min. to reset the ECU. After I reconnected the battery and started her up, she idled in "limp mode" without stalling. With that said, I ended up replacing the MAF sensor with a reman. one from O'Reilly's ($80) after spraying it with CRC MAF cleaner didn't resolve the issue. All is well now. No more CEL for 100+ miles and my T4R and I are both happy campers :).
Click to expand...

You think maybe the seafoam was the cause of your MAF going bad? I've seen where others have had this problem..
 
28. said:
You think maybe the seafoam was the cause of your MAF going bad? I've seen where others have had this problem..
Click to expand...

It's possible. At least, that's what I think. Perhaps too much Sea Foam went through the vacuum line at one time and possibly caused a short in the MAF. I should've probably slow poured it into the vacuum line instead of letting it draw periodically from a measuring cup. I believe I used approx. 8oz total to clean the top end, based on what other folks recommended.
 
Just used Seafoam in my 2007 V6 4Runner and think the results were consistent with the car's history. It has just shy of 74,000 miles on it and the previous owner drove it like a grandma and had it serviced very regularly. After adding about 1/2 can to the gas tank, 1/2 can to the oil/crankcase and another 1/2 can to the vacuum line I got a good about of white smoke that filled up my driveway. The smoke in my case went away after about 3-4 min. Half that time was spent revving it to 3000, then 4000, then 5000 and then holding it steady at around 3000-3500. I followed that up with a "spirited" 10 minute drive and by the time I got home there was no smoke left. We'll see what the results are like this weekend when I make a drive across the country in it. No CEL or other issues.
 
Zuke said:
kylebacc,

Stop looking at the intake and look at the pcv valve on the driver's side valve cover.

Pull this hose off the pcv and pour seafoam into it so it sucks it into the intake.

Click to expand...

Just to make sure I have this right, the hose will suck up the seafoam or do you pour it into the housing? I tried 1/3 using the hose and did not get any smoke although it seems to run a little better at idle.
 
Going to seafoam my 03 v8 4r today. It has 205k on it.

Someone should "borrow" a friend's 4runner and seafoam it without telling them and see if they notice any performance difference! :)
 
Went through this entire thread, concensus seems to be 1/2 bottle in vacuum, 1/2 bottle in oil. Let the vacuum slowly suck up the fluid then shut it down and wait 10-15 min. Fire it back up for a "spirited" drive and let the smoke fly. Sounds pretty straightforward.
 
Sea Foam'd my 2001

I did a thorough Sea Foam Rx on my 2001 (with 267,100 miles) yesterday. I used the common Sea Foam Motor Treatment (UPC 018812000019) first: I added all but about an ounce into my fuel tank with about 1/8 a tank of gas, and kept the remaining ounce for the oil at the end of everything. I ran the truck a couple miles to get the engine to full operating temperature.

I then removed the intake hose that connects to the TB. I inserted the red tube from the Sea Foam Spray Cleaner & Lube (UPC 018812000071) with the outlet pointing toward the TB (leave just enough red tube to extend beyond the black plastic guard) and replaced the intake hose over the black plastic Sea Foam tube guard. I used an inductive RPM meter to monitor engine speed and started the rig. I attached the Cleaner & Lube Spray can to the red tube and turned the throttle pulley until the engine was running around 2000 RPM give or take. I then held the Spray button down for about 4-5 minutes allowing the contents to empty into the TB. The engine sputtered and bogged a little at first but as the treatment continued it did fine. The predictable oil fog poured out to the chagrin of preppy neighborhood walkers. :naughty: Once the can was empty I shut off the engine, removed the red tube and replaced the intake hoses securely.

I poured the remaining ounce of Motor Treatment into the crank case oil. I let the truck sit for about 15 minutes as instructed. Then I took it out onto the highway for some aggressive thrashing. I basically accelerated hard to 10 above the speed limit then let go of the pedal to coast to 5 under (obviously I was on a rural interstate without any significant traffic), then accelerated hard to 10 above again repeating for about 5 miles. When I got to the gas station there was no more smoke from the exhaust. I filled up with BP 89 Octane Ethanol Free gasoline (since I don't drive my rig that often, ETOH free won't be as likely to gum things back up again) and drove home normally.

Driving to work this morning I noticed much smoother throttle response and smoother idle at lights. I'll have to wait to see what it does to MPGs.

Hope this helps folks with the older rigs!
 
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2008 V8 here. Just ran a can of Seafoam in the fuel tank (fuel level at 1/4). Then poured half the can into the engine oil and the other half sucked into the thick foam covered crankcase hose we all have identified. I must say I can already noticed a difference in the idle while stopped with the A/C on. The typical hold the brake hard when the A/C is on is not as prevalent as before. Time will tell regarding fuel mileage. Will run the oil for 100 miles and do an oil change.
 
"Just use water"? I hope that's a joke. I would think you could do serious damage. I saw a youtube video where a guy tried that on a lawnmower and got alot of water in the oil. I don't know if it would do the same to a car, but I wouldn't try it. I used seafoam in the vacuum line of my old camry and my wife came out and yelled at me and said "why is the car on fire". I guess if you know me it's a valid question. All jokes aside I did notice more power after doing it.
 
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