Nicks2001tl

*Warning* Do not do this in an enclosed space like a garage. Lot`s of smoke.


1. Start with the car running at normal operating temperature.
2. Pour half a can of seafoam in a clean cup. Hold the cup in your hand or prop it up somewhere close to vacuum line.
3. Remove vacuum line hose from throttle body and while car is running insert one end of the hose in the cup, let vacuum slowly bring in the seafoam. Use your other hand to toggle the throttle so the engine doesn`t die on you.
4. Once all the liquid is done turn off the car, replace the vacuum line hose and let sit for 15 minutes.
5. Finally jump in your ride and rip down the road doing a few WOT (wide open throttle) until all the smoke if burned off.


Note: If the car throws a code it will clear out immediately. You should seafoam through the vacuum line or gas tank no more than once or twice a year.

the_tl_man09

last time i used seafoam i left a smoke trail 1/2 mile down the road. it was pretty sweet i must admit!

nunyab!dness

Need to do this to my '03... Hope it'll drive off any pesky mosquitoes hangin' around the house...

fsttyms1

i never use anything less than 1 full can when i fog the engine. I also usually stick one full one in the gas tank at the same time.

3.2TLc

Just for official verification purposes......Is this the best vac line to reach all of the motor's vital areas ? thanks !!!

fsttyms1

Anything before the TB is great as it cleans the TB AND gets to all 6 cylinders.

01tl4tl

that's the Master vac port @20 inches, and will make tornadoes of seafoam going into a hose held above the liquid
care must be used in this method, as well as it misses the TB air plate
must remove the intake snout to get to that by any cleaner

the gas tank is my preferred method for noobs- it works better than just vac as it goes thru the entire fuel system- from tank filter to injectors- over a longer time and with heat present- which seafoam likes

Done correctly in vac, it instantly blast loose the leftover crud caused by ethanol etc. in our fuel from the intake valves and piston tops but misses vital areas

if you have any doubts about your ability to use vac port while you juggle hose-can=throttle,,instead
do the easy method of add 1 can to half tank of gas- twice within a month
then at midyear/7500 miles throw a can in half to nearly full tank as maintenance dose

Nicks2001tl

In the past I have used seafoam through the main vacuum line and addressed the Throttle Body and IACV as separate projects.


Most people including my self for the first time will over think the process but it is relatively an easy job to do.

Brandle34

I did this last summer and my 03 TLS looooooved it!!! I read that it poops on your spark plugs - I replaced mine with 6 NGK Iridiums after...

Nicks2001tl

Seafoam is a cleaner. When using it through the vacuum line there should be no issue with gunking up the spark plugs.


Highly recommend running a full can of seafoam through the vac line before changing out your spark plugs. Do all the steps above and burn off all the smoke and then change out your plugs.

01tl4tl

its only an issue if you have old old weak plugs and fail to do a good warmup and afterdrive, then you can foul them

the smoke is oils in seafoam reacting to heat in cat
Have you tried the 2000 rpm for 2 minutes while adding thru TB or vac port? talk about smoke!

All users should do a can in half a tank if you use vac method
you are missing some critical areas

my info is based on several conversations with Jim D. seafoams tech help guy
who says 2 times in the tank beats vac method

Nicks2001tl

My seafoam recipe:


1 can through the vacuum line
1/2 can in the gas tank when gas tank is 1/2-1/4 full.
1/2 can in the crank case before every oil change(drive minimum of 30 miles not to exceed 100 miles before changing the oil)


Note: Seafoam through the vacuum line and gas tank is a once or twice a year project, preferably in spring when winter gas changes over.

01tl4tl

don't forget the TB air plate is a separate job

Nicks2001tl

I went to the seafoam web site and Jim the Q&A seafoam expert stated that it performs basically the same whether you put it through the gas tank or run it through the vacuum line.


My opinion,
If you have an extraordinary build up carbon deposits in your egr ports and valve I would do one full can through the vacuum line at least twice or three times in a year to remove the possible build up.


If no crud is present put it in the gas tank to clean everything in the fuel system.

01tl4tl

the fuel system gets everything, more than just the vac port method does!
vac port method is really for techs who need instant decarbonizing to diagnose running problems, a clean start is best!
fuel tank feeds the critical fuel lines and tank filter sock and takes 2 to 4 weeks as you go thru 2 tanks of fuel
Jim probably mentioned seafoam loves heat and time- hence driving method does a more thorough job
Seafoam is cleaning OILS- that's why it smokes when cat gets a good dose of outgoing leftover oils in burnt fuel, heat + oil = smoke,,,see 2000rpm method for massive smoke display and annoyed neighbors

for overthinkers simply add 1 can to 8 gal/half a tank- 2 times and that's it except separate cleaning of TB air plate and lube springs

01tl4tl

note seafoam thru either method is NOT aimed at egr EXHAUST gas recirc system cleaning
the small amount of residual seafoam in exhaust may get a little out- but the intake manifold cleaning is a separate job to fully do egr paths and ports

3.2TLc

Well, here on Acurazine.....we have our very own trusted expert being Tom, (01tl4tl) who has thoroughly researched and tested Seafoam. He personally can attest to the product's effectiveness & results with our TL's.

~ My opinion,
For instantaneous gratification: Do a can down the main TB vac line, straight deep throat shot for a great rush. Then after that, for general PM on a normal basis: Do a can once a year in the fuel tank or before a tune-up.

Nicks2001tl

I recommend going to "Seafoams" web site it has a lot of answers to your questions. With some of our cars having an issue with excessive carbon build up it should get noted that the gas tank method might get everything for normal maintenance but to remove heavy carbon build up a can or two through the vacuum line will work much better in my opinion.

3.2TLc

^^^ Yeah, totally agree that if ya bought a 10 year old car with over 100k, it's never a bad idea to attempt to get things clean and back to normal conditions as much as possible. Especially if you're experiencing issues and feel as though the car's motor was neglected in any way.

Extreme negligence is often the case with previous owners who don't really know any better or don't care, IMO.

01tl4tl

heavy carbon buildup is more completely removed with seafoam by running thru the gas, where sustained engine heat and time- driving more than 30 minutes at a stretch, makes conditions optimal for cleaning process

that fast blast is just that- does it get every bit of crud at high speed in low engine temps?
and the after drive HEAT is critical to cleaning off plugs and clearing out residual seafoam, otherwise carbon re-hardens on pistons and possibly spark plugs- if no drive done
Engine does not run well on it at high doses thru vac~

Note- seafoam states 2 oz per gal fuel (8 gal gas to 1 can for the TL) is CLEANING dose and MIDYEAR- about oil change time /7500 miles- do 1 oz per gal fuel as Maintenance dose.
With ethanol added to most fuel now- it leaves behind even more crud-
so I use 2oz per gal 2 times a year,,,and a little thru TB throat to get air plate and hinges, lube throttle return springs etc

Note first timers to seafoam on your TL should do gas tank cleaning dose 2 times
then on the 2x a year
a little/ half can in oil 20-100 miles before oil change will improve things in there like you cant believe!