DIY: Seafoam 2nd GEN TL (sorta) work in progress

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Old 01-03-2008, 05:55 PM
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DIY: Seafoam 2nd GEN TL (sorta) work in progress

Buy 3 cans of Seafoam.

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VAC LINE:

*IMPORTANT -- Warm up car first* Engine needs to be warm to help dissolve stuff so a 5 or 10 minute drive to warm everything should be done first.






See Page 5 for more instructions







Turn off car and reconnect the hose. Sometimes it is good to cut off a little off the end of the vac line that you dipped in the can, because it can swell up and have a vacuum leak.

Let car sit for at least 5 mins, and no more than 15. TRY and start it up. I say this because it will hesitate at first but just hit the gas a few times and it’ll start. Rev for a little while... http://youtube.com/watch?v=sCQpwEcynkk

...then go for a spirited drive until the smoke stops. You want to do a bunch of low speed start full throttle runs thru vtec to really heat the engine and blow off the loosened gook . Put it in third gear for a few exits on the freeway, slowing down and speeding back up (if traffic permits)... http://youtube.com/watch?v=a0RmnT05QmM


GAS TANK:

Use a full can in a 1/4 tank of gas to super clean the injectors. It’s great to do it while you are doing the vac line.


CRANKCASE:

Use a can in the crankcase (pour into oil fill). Get an oil change after a MINIMUM of 30 miles and MAXIMUM of 100 miles.
Originally Posted by Seafoam Technical Services Department
Sea Foam Motor Treatment used in Crankcase oil

All Gasoline and Diesel, Rotary style engines

Sea Foam Motor Treatment may be used in an oil crankcase 2 separate ways, depending on your needs and expectations.

Sea Foam Motor Treatment is most commonly used as a pre service old oil residue cleaner and moisture drier, and is also used as an after service additive.

1. As a pre service cleaner for old oil residue, sticky rings or valve train noise,

pour 1 ½ ounces of Sea Foam Motor Treatment into the engine oil crankcase for EACH quart of oil capacity including filter. (Diesels use 1 pint to 4 gallons of oil, please) Drive a MINIMUM of 30 minutes/miles, MAXIMUM 100 miles, then do your oil change service (LOF). This begins the process of safely/slowly re liquefying the old oil residue so contaminants may flow and be filtered. This also makes your old oil dirtier, quickly, so a LOF service is necessary when the oil gets dirty. (LOF = Lube oil & Filter service).

2. As an after service additive into fresh oil, nearly fresh oil, or oil (used condition) that is NOT ready to be changed (by mileage), put the same amount of Sea Foam Motor Treatment into the crankcase as described above, then SELF SET a program to MONITOR your oil for color and clarity on a mileage, timed, or event basis (like every time you add fuel, etc.) to determine when an oil service is necessary. (LOF)

Sea Foam Motor Treatment will safely and slowly re liquefy old oil residue, This will make your oil need changing BEFORE your normal scheduled LOF service. Only your monitoring of the oil for color and clarity can tell when it is time to do LOF - oil change service, or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Check your oil and monitor its color & clarity to determine need for LOF service!

Change your oil when it gets dirty!
Thanks to 02AcTLS for talking to Seafoam about the crankcase
Thanks to 01tl4tl for all the info in the original thread
Old 01-03-2008, 07:33 PM
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While seafoam says 100 miles max before oil change- they are talking old shi-box chevy v8 motors. I know because I drive one thats kept alive by seafoam poured in the Edelbrock 600 carb!
The TL is a finely tuned machine with very small oil passages- oil pressure also runs the vtec, So I personally would not drive more than 15 minutes with a full can of seafoam in oil. I keep the oil clean and changed enough that I dont consider it an issue. Have always just idled the car but next time will give it the drive method for oil change and report back.
Based on Acuras idea of how to warm trans fluid and engine- I drive 15 minutes on the freeway to warm the engine and exhaust- the hotter the pistons and valves the more effective the seafoam is at loosening stuff. The more heat you generate on the blow out drive- the more stuff gets burned off.
15 minutes is a good solid time to wait and then drive- let the stuff soak a bit, then hot foot it up the road.
The fitting shown with vac lines hooked up is actually bolted to the fenderwell, i will get a few more pics and add to the thread
Great job consolidating the info! I have my neighbors hooked on seafoam now~ if only I had stock in the company doh!
Old 01-03-2008, 09:44 PM
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lol after reading that youtube comment makes me not want to do this anymore.. haha shit.
Old 01-04-2008, 12:03 AM
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Nice writeup with clear pictures.
Old 01-04-2008, 09:17 AM
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Very nice write-up. Next time I seafoam I'll use the vac line instead of the PCV valve line.
Old 01-04-2008, 11:50 AM
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nice write-up. Are you supposed to change the spark plugs as well?
Old 01-04-2008, 12:31 PM
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plugs: if you have more than 60k miles on them, then they may tend to load up with carbon if the hot run afterwards is not performed
If newer plugs, dont even sweat it~ just seafoam= drive= and enjoy
I pulled my plugs at 75k after 2 seafoam treatments- they had normal wear and no funny stuff happening
Replaced with NGK Iridiums and enjoying my fine ride
Old 01-04-2008, 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by TwinTurbo335
lol after reading that youtube comment makes me not want to do this anymore.. haha shit.
That guy goes through and puts that comment on nearly EVERY Seafoam video there is out there. Check the original thread for how many people have found success with this product .
Old 01-04-2008, 04:10 PM
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^ i know that. but i am new with the seafoaming stuff. lol. i dont want to hydrolock my car. sounds dangerous.
Old 01-04-2008, 07:39 PM
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use the vac line and fear not
Old 01-05-2008, 10:55 AM
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well did it in the vac line. I had to much gas and I just did my oil change so I'm going to wait for those. Anyways, it smoked like a bitch! I live in Scranton in the city and some kids were holding their noses..haha. Anyways, my check engine light did come on. But after I drove it for a bit I brought it to autozone and got it cleared. Hasn't come on since.
Old 01-05-2008, 11:34 AM
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After the engine stabilizes- start driving slowly as it continues to run better- then hit the road for the burn off drive- getting it super hot inside the engine and exhaust with the repeated WOT run will make the treatment most effective.
Normally if you got a CEL there was some gook on the O2 sensor- will clear itself in a few days of driving as seafoam continues to work.
Share the smoke with others rather than a huge cloud at your house!
I usually drive up the freeway a little, stop and do seafoam to engine. Grab a burger- get in the car and go for the drive on the freeway or frontage roads
Add a can to the tank as soon as its down to 1/4 or so.
First timers repeat treatment in 2000 miles for max effect, then every 5000-7500 will keep your baby running smooth.
Old 01-06-2008, 10:27 AM
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Just did my '02 TL-S at 158,8xx. I used a 2 whole cans, one in the gas, one sucked into the engine. I got a little smoke while sucking it in, then a bit more after letting it soak for about 7 minutes, then got a nice blast that lingered the first time I got on it, then barely any more smoke. I think I was hoping for more.. My CEL light was on for just a couple seconds during the initial acceleration and it stumbled a little at the same time. Now it's time to change the plugs for the first time!
Old 01-06-2008, 11:05 AM
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Let me repeat: The hot run afterwards should be several 20 mph to 60 mph full throttle runs thru VTEC and then brake- repeat over and over
That raises the internal temps and really burns off the stuff that is now liquified.
Those new plugs will make a huge differance now that the pistons and valves are clean!
Just driving at 4000 rpm does heat stuff but does not generate the waves of pressure that also help the process.
Repeat seafoam in 2000 miles for first timers
Old 01-06-2008, 07:49 PM
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Just seafoamed my 03 TL-S this afternoon. I've got about 73K miles. Used 1 can for the vac line and another for the fuel. Very simple to do. The only thing that scared me was the much longer startup after letting the seafoam soak initially for 10 min. And yes, it smoked like a banshee. After letting the smoke pour out for a few minutes, I went for a "spirited" run as described above. It was pretty funny leaving a huge trail of white smoke. It lingers for a while too. I do notice a smoother/quicker startup as well as around the town driving.
Old 01-07-2008, 07:15 PM
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my first few runs were between 0 - 20 to 50/60 then got in a chance to do a 20 to 90+ on the parkway. The idle is much smoother at idle and throttle response seems better. Another thing I was surpised at was that my plugs looked very good overall for having 158,xxx miles on them. Not sure if I'll get a chance to ever change them again, maybe only if the tranny holds up that long.
Old 01-09-2008, 01:37 AM
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Thank you for the write up, just bought a can the other day and was wondering what to do with it. :p
Old 01-09-2008, 01:04 PM
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ok this clearifies everything...lol


im already a fan of seafoam in 1/4 tank of gas....the whole family was like why is your car quick now!

gonna do the seafoam in oil crank case today....
Old 01-09-2008, 05:37 PM
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for the oil crank case...
do i need to :
1. warm up the car by driving 10-15 mins...and then add the whole can?
2.can i add the seafoam to the oil, then drive to complete the 30min/30 miles or i can drive 10 miles, come home and then the next day drive to complete the 30 miles ...then get the oil changed??
should i also do some full throttle runs ???

also any difference in using sea foam on regular shell oil?
Old 01-13-2008, 08:39 AM
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bear in mind you are reading seafoam instructions for engines using conventional oils. These same details are applied to outboard motors and lawn mowers too.

The Acura TL uses synthetic oil which does not break down as badly as conventional motor oil of the same weight.
Old 01-14-2008, 10:59 AM
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Did it during the weekend.

Following KSuchdeve's instructions with one trick for the sucking part.

I used a straw in the seafoam can, then put the vac line close to the straw. By doing this, you can easily control the flow of the seafoam.

The car is running like new again.

Thanks to the good stuff on this forum.
Old 01-14-2008, 11:23 AM
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Neat trick
You can also place the can on the ATF fill plug and tilt slightly when needed too
Dip and remove the vac line with right hand while left hand juggles the throttle

Seafoams website has direction for every type of use. Not going to use the lawnmower or boat for a while?- SEAFOAM IN THE GAS TANK~
Old 01-14-2008, 12:21 PM
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my 2000 tl has 110k, runs silky smooth and gets great gas milage.

What will I gain by using seafoam?
Old 01-14-2008, 12:30 PM
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Cleaned piston tops = better combustion
Clean valves and seals mean better compression
Clean injectors make better- more effective spray pattern
New NGK Iridium IX spark plugs can now ignite the gas in its chamber as designed

Carbon buildup is everywhere- read the EGR cleaning thread and look whats inside the intake manifold. Requires carb cleaner or solvent tank to remove deposits.
It comes with a money back guarantee and is used by the majority of ziners
What more could you want?
Old 01-14-2008, 05:47 PM
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Originally Posted by acitydweller
The Acura TL uses synthetic oil which does not break down as badly as conventional motor oil of the same weight.
uh, the TL will only have synthetic in it if the owner puts it in.
Old 01-14-2008, 06:49 PM
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it never hurts to clean out the oil passages inside the engine- especially when going to synthetic for the first time.
Old 01-15-2008, 12:58 PM
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how much is each can and would bosh plugs be ok to put in
Old 01-15-2008, 02:08 PM
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Use the NGK Iridium IX's. They are something like $7 a piece. The Seafoam is about the same price per can.
Old 01-15-2008, 02:11 PM
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when putting it through the gas tank should i have 1/4 because now mytank is about at half.also if i dont want to spend that amount on plugs what other ones should i get
Old 01-15-2008, 02:11 PM
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not being cheep just curious
Old 01-15-2008, 02:11 PM
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haha
Old 01-15-2008, 02:15 PM
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the stock ones are $5... platinum.
Old 01-15-2008, 02:34 PM
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Denso Iridium are the only ones i use and last time i changed them the fuckers cost me about $12.99 each

now where can i get seafoam from? my car has about 85k miles now
Old 01-15-2008, 02:49 PM
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Seafoam is on the shelf at parts stores with the other brands of fuel cleaner
6.99 at zone -sometimes on sale 5.99 Look for the white 8 oz can
some places even have gallons!!!
The seafoam regualr dose is 1 oz per gallon of fuel and to superclean the first time, 2oz per gallon of fuel. So use 2 cans in 1/2 tank or 1 can in 1/4

The Denso plugs cost more and dont last as long
The correct NGK spark plugs will pay you back in mileage and performace
NGK Iridium IX is favored but NGK Platinum is fine- that was the stock ones, technology has changed whats best for the car.
If you have over 60k miles on your car, seafoam and new plugs will make it run like new
Old 01-15-2008, 02:49 PM
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thats what im trying to find out .ok so should you put seafoam in the gas tank first then the valve tube or vise versa i need help
Old 01-15-2008, 02:50 PM
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Gas tank anytime you want- before trips especially
The intake vac line when engine is warm is the key
So just add some to the tank and the rest to the vac line and go for a drive
Old 01-15-2008, 02:52 PM
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01tl thanks one other thing should i put the sea in the gas tank first then the tube
Old 01-15-2008, 02:53 PM
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ok thanks
Old 01-15-2008, 03:03 PM
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this might sound stupid but do i add it through the gas tank
Old 01-15-2008, 03:10 PM
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I use 1 can in the gas tank when it low on gas to get super cleaning strength

And 1 can in the intake vacuum line- that will result in smoke out the tailpipes just as you run out of seafoam- then shut off engine for 10-15 minutes- restart-let idle stabilize and go do the hard drive blowout to maximize effect

So i guess your answer would be -together


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