Seafoamed my truck today, what next?

[CedRunner]

I purchased a 96 Limited 4Runner a few weeks back with 182k. And decided to try seafoam a shot. I followed the websites instruction for inducting through the vaccine system. Got a big cloud of smoke, the nothing on the 2-5 mile recommended drive. Car ran what appears to be more responsive. So when I got home I decided to check the intake, sorry no pics, and it was noticably cleaner. Why stop there, lets check out a spark plug or 2. So I pulled the easiest one. Well it looks as though they are old, no electrode left. I do have a pic of that and don't worry, NGK won't be going back in after tune up. While the plug was out, I shined a flashlight down the hole to inspect cylinder and noticed the top was black. Almost soothe. Is this normal? What can I do to correct this. I am going to seafoam oil in a week, will that take some of the build up away

 

[CedRunner]

Not sure why pic didn't attach???

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Its good the cylinder top is black. Its carbon and is a offspring of combustion between gas and oxygen. If it was clean it'd be bad (coolant leaking in).

 

[CedRunner]

I thought so. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[Singtoe]

Make sure you put the oem plugs (twin electrodes) back in it.

 

[CedRunner]

Yes, thank you Singtoe. I will be purchasing twin ground plugs. I know that these came with different plugs on the heads from the factory. Anyone see any issues sticking to the OEM twin grind all the way around? As opposed to one brand in left bank and different brand in right bank (as it was delivered back in the days.

 

[etc.]

I personally change the oil after ever SF treatment.

 

[CedRunner]

I will definitely change the oil once I throw it in the crankcase. I've only done intake and fuel tank. Think I'm already seing more MPG as I am at 109 miles and still 2/3 left. Would previously be just below the half mark when u hit a 109 miles. Will sea foaming get rid if build up in the cylinders?

 

[vipergrhd]

Fuel tank

Dump a can in the tank and fill up,do this 2 in a row.it will loosen up any build up in your injectors and top of your piston.

 

[CedRunner]

Great, thank you for the input. I'll do 2 runs of the seafoam in the tank then the oil with an oil change shortly thereafter. Any other suggestions as to what I can do as car as additives go to clean inside of motor? New spark plug and wires once I finish up the treatments. Again, thanks to all for the responses.

 

[etc.]

I will definitely change the oil once I throw it in the crankcase. I've only done intake and fuel tank. Think I'm already seing more MPG as I am at 109 miles and still 2/3 left. Would previously be just below the half mark when u hit a 109 miles. Will sea foaming get rid if build up in the cylinders?

I would recommend against putting it in the crankcase. Not from personal experience, but from research on the oil boards.

 

[CedRunner]

Thanks Etc. I acctuly have reservations about outing seafoam in oil but I could not find any forums regarding negative effects. Perhaps I did not search the right key word or in the right place. You have a link discussing negative effects of using seafoam in oil? My concerns are what would it do to posting rings and any other seals. And, the most important concern of mine, seafoam dislodges gunk and supposedly breaks it down...does it do this before or after the chunks clog my main journal oiling holes ,for example, and there goes the block. Other concerns are how many leaks will it reveal when all that gunk is removed from those 16 year old gaskets. So yea, I've been holding off in hopes someone would chime in on the matter

 

[adam99sr5]

My concerns are what would it do to posting rings and any other seals. And, the most important concern of mine, seafoam dislodges gunk and supposedly breaks it down...does it do this before or after the chunks clog my main journal oiling holes ,for example, and there goes the block. Other concerns are how many leaks will it reveal when all that gunk is removed from those 16 year old gaskets. So yea, I've been holding off in hopes someone would chime in on the matter[/QUOTE]


I haven't treated my oil in my t4r since i did my old 1990 xj. Before treatment didn't leak any oil. After treatment I had a running leak that spewed about a quart and a half Every 3 weeks. Kinda hesitant myself

 

[CedRunner]

Thanks Adam, those were my original concerns, and still are. I keep going back and forth should I or should I not. But, this being a DD, think ill forgo the seafoam in the oil. But I will do 2 cans in the tank back to back.

 

[Doc2012]

I've SeaFomed every vehicle I've had. Never had a problem. I'll suck the 6oz of SeaFoam through the PCV valve, pour the rest into the crank case, and take it for a short, 15-20 min, drive, getting on it every now and then to make sure she's not smoking anymore.

The oil is going to look dirty. Like, really dirty. But, that's the SeaFoam doing its job.

There is much debate on weather to leave SeaFoam in for an extended period of time, or for a short period of time. I know guys who leave it in for about 100 miles before changing thier oil, and I know guys that do what I do.

Basically, SeaFoam is a petrolum based product:

"Safely helps quiet noisy lifters, helps remove fuel deposits and oil residue, helps smooth rough idle. For Carburetors or Fuel Injected Gasoline Engines - Autos – Trucks – Tractors – Motorcycles – Marine – Small Engines – Industrial Engines Great for Diesel Engines Too!
SEA FOAM Motor Treatment is a petroleum based product that helps clean internal fuel and oil system components. SEA FOAM is an EPA-registered product, and will not harm engine components, seals, gaskets, catalytic converters or oxygen sensors.
SEA FOAM helps liquefy gum and varnish deposits helping to quiet noisy valve lifters. By using SEA FOAM to help eliminate varnish and deposit buildup, mechanics can more accurately diagnose mechanical problems that may exist. That is why Sea Foam has been so popular with professional mechanics for over 65 years.
As a fuel system additive, Sea Foam will help clean carburetor jets and passageways, fuel injectors, helps clean deposits, adds lubricity to fuel, helps stabilize fuel for up to 2 years and helps control moisture.
As an oil system additive, Sea Foam helps clean varnish and oil residue deposits."


Therefore, if you're experiencing leaking seals and gaskets after a SeaFoam treatment, then the ammount of crud in your engine is more than what should be.

If you're getting leaking seals and gaskets after you clean your engine, then it's about thime they get replaced. my .02.

 

[CedRunner]

Here is a little update. After seafoaming intake and dumping the rest in the tank, I whent from 15.37 MPG to 16.57 MPG on the first tank since treatment. I also noticed smother throttle responce. I am making a graph that I will post as I keep doing maintenance. Yesterday, I did a transmition flush and installed nipondensco twin ground spark plugs( ill post pics of the old ones and some will wonder how my truck even started with those in)...runs better with those plugs I think. We will see if the spark plugs improve the MPG. Truck shifts a lot smoother with a trans flush too. I have to re-flush radiator because water is still very rusty looking, I bought a new thermostat to replace the old one while I'm dealing with cooling system ( overheating on steep hills on when going 80 do long periods of time. Since I'm new to forum, should I start a build thread with all this or this still falls under the "what next" part of this thread keep the wolves off my back?

 

[Shibby!]

Do whatever you want. Free world =)

Maintenance threads are just as good as build threads in my opinion.

Just take lots of pics, show results with accurate data, etc. Lots of people would enjoy it.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Ill throw my experience in here. I have ran Seafoam through my pvc valve, and in the oil twice. I believe I ran a little more than half through the pvc valve, and then added the rest to the oil. That was several oil changes back. Right now Im running another half can in my oil. I noticed a few months ago that it softened the carbon build up that I have inside the oil cap. It used to be a hard layer of carbon, and now its more of a thin layer of sludge that i can scrape off. So right now im running another half can in the oil to further break down that sludge. To address what someone said a few posts back, I dont think Seafoam is going to break off big "chunks" of carbon that then get londged in or damage your engine. Rather as it passes through the engine it contacts the carbon and sludge buildup in a continuous flow, and removes it by eroding it, like running water through sand. Hence the reason the oil turns dark after running the seafoam. Though you may have some small flakes or carbon (I think I did).

Other than breaking up the carbon in the valves, it also increased my gas mileage by between 1.5 and 2 mpg directly after running it through my pvc valve and changing the oil. Thats why I would recommend it. As far as leaks, I think I may have a very small valve cover gasket leak, But its so minor that I never have to worry about adding oil between changes. And Im close to 200k miles, so a minor valve cover leak is kind of expected. I probably just need a new gasket

 

[CedRunner]

Do whatever you want. Free world =)

Maintenance threads are just as good as build threads in my opinion.

Just take lots of pics, show results with accurate data, etc. Lots of people would enjoy it.

Thank shibby, I'll keep posting on this thread. Pics to follow soon.

 

[CedRunner]

Ill throw my experience in here. I have ran Seafoam through my pvc valve, and in the oil twice. I believe I ran a little more than half through the pvc valve, and then added the rest to the oil. That was several oil changes back. Right now Im running another half can in my oil. I noticed a few months ago that it softened the carbon build up that I have inside the oil cap. It used to be a hard layer of carbon, and now its more of a thin layer of sludge that i can scrape off. So right now im running another half can in the oil to further break down that sludge. To address what someone said a few posts back, I dont think Seafoam is going to break off big "chunks" of carbon that then get londged in or damage your engine. Rather as it passes through the engine it contacts the carbon and sludge buildup in a continuous flow, and removes it by eroding it, like running water through sand. Hence the reason the oil turns dark after running the seafoam. Though you may have some small flakes or carbon (I think I did).

Other than breaking up the carbon in the valves, it also increased my gas mileage by between 1.5 and 2 mpg directly after running it through my pvc valve and changing the oil. Thats why I would recommend it. As far as leaks, I think I may have a very small valve cover gasket leak, But its so minor that I never have to worry about adding oil between changes. And Im close to 200k miles, so a minor valve cover leak is kind of expected. I probably just need a new gasket

Thanks for sharing your experience 1985Taylor. I too noticed MPG increase with PCV.