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Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: swanny on January 22, 2013, 03:18:46 PM

Title: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: swanny on January 22, 2013, 03:18:46 PM: Or have any other liquids you add in? Trying to restore some lost MPG's in my 2002 Silverado. I've got 165k miles on it, so I know there is some buildup. Seems like Seafoam is a popular treatment but putting it in the various lines/oil scares me a little. Any other treatments or services you guys might recommend?
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: Woodchuck on January 22, 2013, 03:23:15 PM: You likely have way less buildup than you think unless the truck is primarily a short tripper. Fresh fluids and filters will likely do more than you may guess. Switching to synthetic fluids has been known to help some. The likely bottom line is that at 165k things are just not as tight and efficient as they once were.
One last side note. Cooler temps outside will affect mileage some but not as much as the time spent "warming up" :twocents:
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: romaknows on January 22, 2013, 03:25:31 PM: check the 02 sensor or maybe a throttle position sensor . :tup:
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: Woodchuck on January 22, 2013, 03:47:32 PM: If those are far enough out of range to really affect things it will turn the light on in that truck.
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: romaknows on January 22, 2013, 04:21:10 PM: Quote from: Woodchuck on January 22, 2013, 03:47:32 PM
If those are far enough out of range to really affect things it will turn the light on in that truck.

a weak sensor will sometimes not kick the check engine light on .What was the old mpg , and what are you getting now? also what engine do you have??
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: turkeyfeather on January 22, 2013, 04:29:35 PM: That's an aweful personal question isn't it? When I rebuilt the motor in my '78 Ford I was told by the guy that redid the heads to never put any of that crap in your engine. According to him it does more harm than good. :twocents:
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: gaddy on January 22, 2013, 04:57:18 PM: ive seafoamed. ill admit it. did wonders on my 25h merc. used it in my 125 susuki on my little bass boat. cleaned the fuel systems & combustion chambers. pull plugs & look. used it in my 76 chev to help the carb with no luck (this edelbrock sucks). but did put in the oil to clean up the system & loosen up any deposits in the aux oil cooler ECT.. prior to an oil change & tune up. when i pulled the valve covers it was nice & clean. only thing i noticed was in the outboards, smoked some till cleaned out,but those piston tops were clean & performance picked up.
just dont over do ?
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: Woodchuck on January 22, 2013, 05:03:43 PM: Quote from: romaknows on January 22, 2013, 04:21:10 PM
Quote from: Woodchuck on January 22, 2013, 03:47:32 PM
If those are far enough out of range to really affect things it will turn the light on in that truck.

a weak sensor will sometimes not kick the check engine light on .What was the old mpg , and what are you getting now? also what engine do you have??
How many $100 dollar guesses does a guy take when it is still within normal limits as per GM?
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: splitshot on January 22, 2013, 05:14:06 PM: i absolutely believe in it. i run it in 7 chain saws, 2 logsplitters, 2 generators, deisel truck and my car. my lawnmower is electric. 2 saws run much better after using it. 0ne ounce to a gallon of fuel. mike w
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: swanny on January 22, 2013, 05:20:43 PM: Quote from: romaknows on January 22, 2013, 04:21:10 PM
Quote from: Woodchuck on January 22, 2013, 03:47:32 PM
If those are far enough out of range to really affect things it will turn the light on in that truck.

a weak sensor will sometimes not kick the check engine light on .What was the old mpg , and what are you getting now? also what engine do you have??

When I first got the truck in 2007 I could get 18-20hwy. Over the past year, that's dropped to 14-16hwy. It's got the 5.3l v8 in it.

Most of my driving is freeway at 60mph since my commute is against traffic. Not much stop and go or sitting for me.

I only ask of Seafoam b/c I seems like a lot of folks do believe in it. I'm just scared to try it since it involves dumping it in vacuum lines. I can easily put something in my gas tank but when it comes to working with an engine I'm not the best.
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: uplandhunter870 on January 22, 2013, 05:29:06 PM: I add to my fuel every so often. Mostly when my rig is going to be sittin for a while as a fuel stabilizer. I'm to afraid to add it to my oil or vacuum lines simply because I'm mainly afraid of breaking something on the vacuum lines.

Have I seen a performance upgrade? No not really but it did turn the exhaust condensation black so I'm assuming it cleaned a bunch I crud out of my engine
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: romaknows on January 22, 2013, 06:08:26 PM: Quote from: Woodchuck on January 22, 2013, 05:03:43 PM
Quote from: romaknows on January 22, 2013, 04:21:10 PM
Quote from: Woodchuck on January 22, 2013, 03:47:32 PM
If those are far enough out of range to really affect things it will turn the light on in that truck.

a weak sensor will sometimes not kick the check engine light on .What was the old mpg , and what are you getting now? also what engine do you have??
How many $100 dollar guesses does a guy take when it is still within normal limits as per GM?

The sensor's output voltage might not be as high as it once was (but still not kick the light on), giving the false impression that the air/fuel mix is leaner than it actually is this can make a richer mix that makes your mpg go down.These sensors are worn out and replacing them can be a good way to increase mpg.You can buy "generic ones that are alot cheaper".

All i am suggesting is to at least consider checking them out and not just thinking if the check engine light isn't on that all is ok with them. :tup:

And yes i have used seafoam in my outboards , but haven't ever noticed any bad or good from it .Snake oil???
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: Happy Gilmore on January 22, 2013, 08:37:03 PM: Quote from: splitshot on January 22, 2013, 05:14:06 PM
i absolutely believe in it. i run it in 7 chain saws, 2 logsplitters, 2 generators, deisel truck and my car. my lawnmower is electric. 2 saws run much better after using it. 0ne ounce to a gallon of fuel. mike w

You have a diesel truck and an electric lawnmower? I've heard it all now..... :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: DoubleJ on January 22, 2013, 08:44:24 PM: I like seafoam but swear by Gumout with Regane for your gas tank. Walmart selld the regular gumout for cheaper than the gumout with Regane. Get the stuff with Regane. I think it's $6-7/bottle
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: toothfangclaw on January 22, 2013, 08:48:11 PM: I love the stuff, I have noticed improvements in throttle response and my vehicles motors ran smoother and an increase in HP/tq using the "seat dyno". I do notice that I get better results from the vacuum line way.
Title: Re: Do you Seafoam?
Post by: longrangekiller on January 22, 2013, 08:56:31 PM: Quote from: Happy Gilmore on January 22, 2013, 08:37:03 PM
Quote from: splitshot on January 22, 2013, 05:14:06 PM
i absolutely believe in it. i run it in 7 chain saws, 2 logsplitters, 2 generators, deisel truck and my car. my lawnmower is electric. 2 saws run much better after using it. 0ne ounce to a gallon of fuel. mike w

You have a diesel truck and an electric lawnmower? I've heard it all now..... :chuckle: :chuckle:

It evens it out haha :chuckle: