I have 116,000 miles on my 2004 TL. I spoke to a guy at an Acura dealer about taking apart the top of my motor and cleaning out the manifold, throttlebody, and egr parts. He recommended that instead I use TEC (Top Engine Cleaner). I have read a couple mentions about this other product called SEAFOAM. Can anybody share their opinion as to which is better, differences, or personal experience with either. I believe the TEC is not available in California but Seafoam is making that the preference in that state but I am in Ohio.

 

tec does a great job on what it does- cleaning

seafoam has many threads and DIY here, its made from 3 oils, a deglazer- a cleaner- and a lube that stays behind- good for throttle plate pivots, springs- everything

for tech info www.seafoamsales.com
have fun

 

Hey mario595, i don't have any input on the topic i just wanted to welcome another fellow Ohioan to Acurazine!!!!

 

Go Bucks !!!

 

o h

 

Do you work for this company??? I read your 10 page thread last night and to say you are a proponent of this stuff is an understatement.

Kidding aside, I am convinced that I should use this product. I find it hard to believe that something that has been around since the 50s can not be harmful to the fuel management used in today's cars (since this stuff was never designed to work with sensors or cats). If you talk to seafoam they explain why it does.

I was willing to take the top of my motor off to hand clean all these parts. But when a dealer, A DEALER, recommends using a product they don't sell instead of buying gaskets from them you know it is the right thing to do.

Of course, the other big plus is that this stuff will clean parts you can't get to manually (combustion chamber); maybe even touch up the exhaust manufolds.

 

Seafoam $5

TEC from Dealer $120

Not a tough decision IMO.


And the last time I listened to a dealer was right before they told me I had to change my brake pads and rotors for $1.5k.. I did it myself (the pads were fine btw) for $200 including a brake flush. There are so many experienced members on this board, you can take our advice or not, we've been there and back.

 

well this might help you out. I bought my car with 130k, 2 month ago. just like everyone else we look for things to make the car feel better. Everything was done (from oil change, tran oil change etc) then i read about seafoam. I was really scare because i did not trusted the unknown liquid. After doing the fuel and intake my car runs 100X better no more, idleling vibration, much better speed overall, my car feels like a new car.

now i'm a month after seafoam and just like everyone recommended me to do, i'll be doing the intake after a month (this weekend) and let be for a year. Will be doing the oil change in the summer with half seafoam can 2 o 3 days before the change.

on all the things i did to my car, seafoam has shown the best improvement overall.

 

No I dont work for seafoam or own stock in the company- I wish!

When gen2 mod fsttymys1 first suggested it to me when I got the TL a few years ago- I was skeptical as everyone is
Then after using it I realized it was the same stuff we used in the fuel system cleaning machine when I worked at a shop in the 80s and charged 100 bucks back then!!

They removed a coloring agent from it due to epa law changes, but its still the same stuff
Because it liquifies gunk and goo- it frees up everything from rings to lube the pivot on tb air plate! and works around the house like wd!

I may post a lot of tech use info to correct errors,, so that others do it to max effect.
Its not cheap at 6 to 10 bucks a can, so make it work to its best IMO

A couple of emails and calls to their tech guy Jim Davies will make you an expert too, plus read their website, amazing history of how it started for use in offshore racing boats,, and the myriad of uses they keep finding as technology moves forward

 

carbon buildup on pistons is real- E10 gas sucks for efficient combustion -leaves behind more byproduct than old gas did- compression rises as a result- not good for cars designed to operate at a certain power...like a TL with its high compression

my honda motorcycle requires `ongoing carbon cleaning` per the book
It has an interferance engine that honda enjoys making (TL)- and carbon height on piston could cause valve to piston contact with carbon layer added to its height!
Scary stuff, not a cheap repair either- engine teardown

Honda bikes sells honda TEC but I stay with seafoam- used in oil, gas, and thru carbs- it increased idle 200 rpm--thats cleaning gum from the rings!
probably gained freeway gas mileage but have to much fun with the `like new power` to cruise steady..and still get 40-45mpg playing,,was 35mpg when playing before

 

On a totally different subject, what fuel do people run in their TLs. If it is stock and you are just putting around town I assume 87 is ok. Maybe 89/91 if you are driving hard all the time. 92/94 if you mod for more power. Sound right? Does the octane level have an affect on the seafoam?

 

You're so twisted I'm not sure if I set you in the right direction that it would help or not but I'll bite again. You need to run 91+ the compression ratio is 11:1 so the higher octane the better. Timing has been pulled on the J running 93 octane so imagine what occurs with 87. Not only will you be spending more money on fuel since you'll be spitting more fuel through your exhaust to prevent knock from happening, but you'll eventually destroy your primaries and o2 sensors if you're lucky.. but more then likely the engine management won't be able to pull timing enough and knock will develop which is downhill slope, if you're lucky you'll destroy you're ringlands & just end up replacing your piston rings.. but more than likely you'll end up destroying your any or all of the following - pistons, bearings, rods. The most your saving at fillup is $0.15 / gallon.. which equates to ~$2 a fill-up.. but your fuel efficiency will be higher since less / no timing is pulled so in the end, for the health of your engine & your pocket book.. use 91+, the higher the better... and no, seafoam has no effect, if anything it slightly raises the level, but from a full tank, not much at all.

 

you are new so you get one freebie- use search feature for gas or octane

your TL needs 91 octane or higher, meaning if 93 is what they sell as Premium gas in your area, thats what goes in it ALL the time
Lower octane causes the computer to retard timing- adding to carbon loading of the pistons and upping the need for seafoam just to keep stuff mostly clean!

run your car on the right octane gas - and acura suggest Tier 1 brands which have more cleaner than off brand gas--manufactures trying to keep things clean for combustion
Using ntrogen or techroline in the gas right from the pump

the 10% ethanol added to gas now has bad combustion and lots of byprouct residue
And welcome to azine!!
- have a read of thread titles for most of your questions are already answered a thousand times

 

seafoam is not a octane booster - its 3 oils from the low end of the barrel

By removing carbon buildup on pistons it may reduce compression!!,, back to where it belongs,, example:at 11 on the tl-s.
Higher compression- lets say 13 to 1 requires even higher octane- like 100 to prevent detonation- thats ignition of the fuel before piston reaches top of stroke-very bad news as that forces increasing pressure backwards of intent down the con rods and bearings-

results as described by other poster

Having clean pistons also helps prevent detonation- carbon is a good flashover but lousy combustion face compared to a shiny bare metal piston

other cleaners such as Lucas are boosters too- lucas, 3 oz per gal fuel is 3 octane rise-
about 20 bucks to boost a tank--if you need race octane for some reason, go to the gas station that sells race fuel

other brands such as bg and wynns-honda-gm are all fine products -and cost more than seafoam, which only seems expensive the first time- when gas mileage goes up and throttle response returns--everyones a convert

 

My point was that the guy at the dealer recommended something he didn't sell when I originally asked to buy gaskets to clean the parts manually. I didn't know how much TEC cost and we never talked about prices.

 

I think you're quite confused. TEC is a service from the dealer.. of course they sell it. Call your dealer over the phone and ask how much they charge for a TEC. Did he give you a strange look when you asked for gaskets to clean the parts manually?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasket

 

Dude relax, I had no idea these cars had that much compression. I was just trying to spark a conversation. This is my new daily driver. I am stepping up from an Accord EX 4 cylinder. I bought this more for comfort than perfomance. My other car has 13:1 compression and makes 1100 hp but I only drive it on weekends. I run 116 octane in it.

 

The internet is very confusing....

http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/i/Rea...TEC130x220.jpg

 

01tl4tl, thanks for taking the time to responsd, you seem to be a passionate and experienced auto enthusiast. I definately like you more than Majofo...

 

speaking of seafoam, which store has them at the best price? So far, best price ive seen is at walmart @ 9 bucks a can. Whereas most autozones and pepboys sell for $10 or even 10.99

 

lol.. I'm actually very surprised T took the time to set you straight. Don't worry about it Mario.. hang out here long enough you'll turn a bit surly as well. Treat the TL right and it'll treat your wallet right. Like 01tl4tl said.. everything you've asked or will ever ask has been discussed at least once if not a thousand times on the board. Welcome to the community btw.. sorry about coming off a bit harsh.

 

I usually pick it up from Pepboys or AAP.. I don't remember it being more than $8 the last time I picked up a can, but it depends on what type you're buying.

 

autozone has liquid and deep creep aerosol sold there too- should put you right near the 20 $ for use of club card for points-- with 1 can of each

wallys usually in the $6-8 range

 

honda TEC in a 16oz spray can was 10-12$ at the bike dealer

At the dealer you would ask about the Fuel Injection Service, where they hook up a gallon can of gas with a concentrated cleaner- often Seafoam!~ and hook into the fuel lines- run car at idle for 20-30 minutes and do a blast out drive
125 dollars please!

 

bg44- ads often seen on azine is very good stuff too
Everything I looked at cost more than seafoam so....

 

I've got 137k on my TL. Is seafoam safe for me? And how do i use it?

 

Its safe. There is a DIY thread with exactly what to do. Use the SEARCH for Seafoam DIY.

Or Look in here for Seafoam DIY: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-garage-faq-3g-tl-newbies-553554/

 

follow my directions for good results~

 

has anyone tried Lucas Oil Deep Clean fuel system cleaner?

 

^ No, only used seafoam. BTW, seafoam 16oz. cans on sale at Oreilley for $7.99:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/home.oap

Picked up a couple, one for the wifey's van and one for the TL today.