using seafoam at 340k miles. Where do I put it in? need pics please.

[Kool Hand Kook]

Hey everyone,

My daily driver has 340,000 miles on it, and runs good, but I've been thinking it might be time to give it a seafoam treatment. Where do I put it in?

Some threads have said the brake booster vacuum line, but many thread say that's not ideal to get it to all the cylinders.

From what I have read, the better option is through the pcv hose, or thereabouts. Can someone post a picture of the EXACT location of this hose, where to disconnect it etc.

Finally how much seafoam do you recommend using? A can in the gas tank, and half a can in the engine oil, and the other half in the engine?

thanks folks!

 

[timmay217]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58sj81ejhM0

^^ I used this same method. No issues

 

[stir_fry_boy]

The Engine MUST BE HOT when adding SeaFoam to the intake. I just use the can itself, and slowly add while the engine is running. Easy peasy.

 

[BrandonF]

If it runs fine, why bother?

There are a lot of mixed opinions on sea foam. I used it once and didn't really notice anything good or bad but some say it can foul O2 sensors and cause more trouble than its worth

 

[diverscale]

If it runs fine, why bother?

There are a lot of mixed opinions on sea foam. I used it once and didn't really notice anything good or bad but some say it can foul O2 sensors and cause more trouble than its worth

Also read that in some instances, it caused O2 sensor failure.

It might be in the cases of ageing and already nearly dead O2 sensors, but I have no proof of that.

 

[StreetCreeper]

Hey everyone,

My daily driver has 340,000 miles on it, and runs good, but I've been thinking it might be time to give it a seafoam treatment. Where do I put it in?

Some threads have said the brake booster vacuum line, but many thread say that's not ideal to get it to all the cylinders.

From what I have read, the better option is through the pcv hose, or thereabouts. Can someone post a picture of the EXACT location of this hose, where to disconnect it etc.

Finally how much seafoam do you recommend using? A can in the gas tank, and half a can in the engine oil, and the other half in the engine?

thanks folks!

You can be the Guinea pig on this one. I too have considered doing a full Seafoam treatment on my truck with 390,000 miles. But then I start thinking that maybe all the sludge inside my engine is actually what is keeping it together.

I also worry that there is so much sludge inside, that it might cause havoc if it all starts coming loose too quickly.

So uh....if you do use the Seafoam — be sure to report back on what happens.

 

[T4R2014]

I would never put it in the oil of any vehicle.

 

[UnderFire]

The exact location it should go is right into the trash can. If it's running good, don't fool around with dumping crap into it.

 

[Kool Hand Kook]

But then I start thinking that maybe all the sludge inside my engine is actually what is keeping it together.

That thought has crossed my mind too...

 

[Scotty_h]

If you do use it in the intake:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/83156-youve-been-doing-wrong-seafoam-injection-port.html

And don't drive it any distance, like less than a few miles

I ruined an engine like such,

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/158989-new-engine-knock-after-seafoam.html

 

[Lug1]

OP, the problem with starting threads like this, is that later it comes up in search results and messes up finding perfect threads with the exact answer and picture you were looking for, like this one:

The link is also the name of the thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/83156-youve-been-doing-wrong-seafoam-injection-port.html

 

[Scotty_h]

Search button is all our' friend...

 

[amalik]

My rule of thumb with seafoam (based on these posts and others)

Through the PCV vacuum line -- Hits all 6 cylinders of the intake.

Through the fuel tank -- hits the fuel lines and injectors and exhaust/etc.

Through the oil cap -- never -- thers have complained about rod knocks, blown engines, blah blah -- I'd rather not experiment and prove them wrong

You don't have to do it all the time, but a can of BG44K is a premium fuel treatment on your 4runner/any other vehicle. Obviously you can't use it as frequent as Seafoam though (Or you'll be going broke off BG44k )

To those who bash Seafoam and other treatments... your argument can be refuted quite easily. If it ain't broke don't fix? Can you see inside the injectors or inside the intake? This isn't about 'working' vs 'broken'.

 

[Kool Hand Kook]

I just put a can of it in my full gas tank. And ran 6 ounces of it through my crankcase. Decided against putting it in my erl. So far my truck has not reached critical mass and caused nuclear fusion. Fingers crossed!

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I would not run SeaFoam in the crankcase more than 20 miles, or 20 minutes. If left in for a while, it is so thin, it will just burn off.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Seafoam spray works well on this engine if used as directed (you have to clear the throttle plate). I used it with good results, smoothed my idle a little bit. I did not run it in the crank case though, using a good synthetic oil to do that over time.

Running cleaners through the fuel tank periodically is a good idea if your gas quality is sub-par.

 

[etc.]

I have personally used it in vacuum lines and gas tanks. It helped with idle and hesitation. Never in oil.

The problem with using it in your oil is it dislodging gunk and it blocking oil delivery.

I have been reading on Mobil 1 High Mileage oil lately and I'm impressed with it on paper. It's also highly regarded on BITOG.

https://mobiloil.com/en/motor-oils/mobil-1/mobil-1-high-mileage

Mobil 1 High Mileage oils are designed to help extend engine life and prevent engine oil leaks. To help prevent wear in higher mileage engines, this advanced, fully synthetic high mileage oil features:

Higher base oil viscosity to help reduce leaks and provide better high temperature protection.
With a boosted level of seal conditioner to protect engine seals in all vehicles because over time, rubber seals can harden or shrink, resulting in oil leaks.

A proprietary blend of high-performance synthetic base oils
If your engine contains excessive sludge deposits due to less-than-adequate maintenance practices,

Mobil 1 High Mileage synthetic motor oil can help reduce this sludge. For severe cases of engine sludge, short oil change intervals (3,000-5,000 miles) are recommended for the first two or three oil changes as the sludge reduction takes place.

 

[nail bender]

I think it has been posted already which hose to use so I will skip that. I put seafoam in my gas tank now and then. I am guessing 4 to 5 thousand miles between cans. I have done the treatment sucking it in through a vacume line on a few vehicles in the past. with the low quality gas that seems to be out there a lot I figure it cant hurt. My 4runner and my Ford Lightning both idle a little smoother after I run a can in a tank of fuel. I also put it in the gas tank in my Harley Davidson from time to time. it makes slightly better gas mileage when I run it. just don't expect too much. it wont make your v6 seem like it grew into a v8.

 

[Kool Hand Kook]

My truck is due for an oil change anyway, so I threw a full can of seafoam in my topped off gas tank, and I applied about another six ounces or so through the pcv valve.

Decided against putting any in with the erl.

My truck didn't implode on itself, cause nuclear fusion, throw a rod, or anything else bad. (so far)

It *might* be idling slightly smoother, but that could just be confirmation bias on my part.

Didn't really notice much change for better or worse.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Where do I put it in?!

Just feel it out - through trial and error you'll figure out where it goes.