Seafoam problem
10-10-2008, 02:13 AM
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Seafoam problem I have a 98 z28 with 155,000 miles. I used seafoam in the gas tank and in the oil crankcase. There was a big improvment with my gas mileage. Then I used seafoam in the vacuum hose. The hp went way down and so did the gas mileage. There is also some throttle hesitation at low rpm. Does anyone have suggestions?
Last edited by Daniel92; 10-10-2008 at 03:16 AM.
10-10-2008, 03:28 AM
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I wouldn't think so on the sensors. The problem that can arise with Seafoam on high mileage engines is that it can clean too much. Basically it can remove enough debris off of stuff that it can uncover problems that were already there. For example, in college my professor was telling me about a customer at the dealership he worked at, used the stuff on his Impala with something like 175,000 on it. Basically it removed alot of debris off the rings around the pistons and pretty much unclogged it so he was getting alot of blow by.
I've also heard debates that it can eat seals and rings on high mileage vehicles but not sure if I completely buy this one yet.
Either way Good luck with it.
I've also heard debates that it can eat seals and rings on high mileage vehicles but not sure if I completely buy this one yet.
Either way Good luck with it.
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10-11-2008, 12:50 AM
#11
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A couple things:
1.) First and foremost, are you throwing any codes? Even if your SES light isn't on, you may still have thrown a code. Get your computer scanned and check for any problems. If you get a code, tell us what it is. If you're clean, continue on.
2.) Make sure you properly connected the vacuum hose. A vacuum leak will give you exactly the problems that you are having.
3.) Check your plugs. In rare occurrences, Seafoam can cause a bad plug. Seafoam doesn't damage spark plugs per say, but what can happen is, since your engine is producing so much heavy carbon smoke, if a plug was on its way out, it could push it over the edge. Basically, it's the straw that broke the camel's back. Seafoam won't damage a plug that wasn't about to die anyway.
4.) Check your O2 sensors. The same thing can hold true for O2's as for spark plugs. If your O2's were old, the heavy carbon smoke could have pushed a dying O2 over the edge. A bad O2 would cause EXACTLY the problems that you are having. I'd be more inclined to think it's an O2 sensor than a plug because a bad plug usually causes a flashing SES light and a rough running engine. A bad O2 could just cause heavy fuel usage and robbed horsepower while the engine seems to be running fine.
5.) ONCE - and this is HIGHLY unlikely - but ONCE I heard of someone damaging a catalytic converter by using Seafoam. Don't ask me how it happened. Don't ask me if this is actually true. I just "heard" it. It's possible a cat could have gotten clogged. That would cause horsepower and fuel economy problems. Of course, it's also possible that I'll get hit by a meteor walking down the street tomorrow. However, if you've exhausted every other option, this is the last place I'd check.
Good luck!
1.) First and foremost, are you throwing any codes? Even if your SES light isn't on, you may still have thrown a code. Get your computer scanned and check for any problems. If you get a code, tell us what it is. If you're clean, continue on.
2.) Make sure you properly connected the vacuum hose. A vacuum leak will give you exactly the problems that you are having.
3.) Check your plugs. In rare occurrences, Seafoam can cause a bad plug. Seafoam doesn't damage spark plugs per say, but what can happen is, since your engine is producing so much heavy carbon smoke, if a plug was on its way out, it could push it over the edge. Basically, it's the straw that broke the camel's back. Seafoam won't damage a plug that wasn't about to die anyway.
4.) Check your O2 sensors. The same thing can hold true for O2's as for spark plugs. If your O2's were old, the heavy carbon smoke could have pushed a dying O2 over the edge. A bad O2 would cause EXACTLY the problems that you are having. I'd be more inclined to think it's an O2 sensor than a plug because a bad plug usually causes a flashing SES light and a rough running engine. A bad O2 could just cause heavy fuel usage and robbed horsepower while the engine seems to be running fine.
5.) ONCE - and this is HIGHLY unlikely - but ONCE I heard of someone damaging a catalytic converter by using Seafoam. Don't ask me how it happened. Don't ask me if this is actually true. I just "heard" it. It's possible a cat could have gotten clogged. That would cause horsepower and fuel economy problems. Of course, it's also possible that I'll get hit by a meteor walking down the street tomorrow. However, if you've exhausted every other option, this is the last place I'd check.
Good luck!
10-12-2008, 04:40 PM
#14
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Do it in the oil and then change oil and filter.
If you do it in the top end you are sending all that engine build up to the plugs to be burned and then past the O2 sensors.
Changing the plugs BEFORE a treatment is self-defeating.
10-13-2008, 02:18 AM
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I did a computer scan, codes come up for one o2 sensor and the maf. I replaced both o2 sensors and cleaned the maf. I paid $315 total. And it still runs bad. Something is definitly wrong with it. I'm going to change the fuel filter and the spark plugs, and see if that works.
10-13-2008, 03:20 PM
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Yeah, the order in which a Seafoam/tune up is done is often missed. Do it in the gas and then change the fuel filter because all the crap in your gas tank has now been picked up and sent forward.
Do it in the oil and then change oil and filter.
If you do it in the top end you are sending all that engine build up to the plugs to be burned and then past the O2 sensors.
Changing the plugs BEFORE a treatment is self-defeating.
Do it in the oil and then change oil and filter.
If you do it in the top end you are sending all that engine build up to the plugs to be burned and then past the O2 sensors.
Changing the plugs BEFORE a treatment is self-defeating.
Or so I was always taught...
