Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: bullitt4514 on May 13, 2012, 04:16:07 PM

Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: bullitt4514 on May 13, 2012, 04:16:07 PM
Smoked a lot :D

Also got a bunch of smoke out by exhaust manifold, which tells me it is leaking!
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: vinnietbird on May 13, 2012, 09:38:02 PM
I have a can waiting for the Sport. Gotta get around to doing that.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Sinista Chicken on May 13, 2012, 10:37:07 PM
Same here, I do this to all my cars.  Anyone else take em out and hot rod the piss out of em afterwords?  Sure makes em purr after that.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: dragon574444 on May 14, 2012, 12:55:49 AM
That was one of the first things I ever did to my car. 150k on the engine, so much smoke came out of the car. I thought I had done something terrible to my car, but after it all cleared, she idled a lot better. Throttle response was much better as well.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: bullitt4514 on May 14, 2012, 12:59:12 AM
I gotta drive in a bit, so will see how it runs. I hook a hose to the intake vacuum port. You are supposed to stall car after sucking up the seafoam, there was so much vacuum, it would not stall :giggle:
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: dragon574444 on May 14, 2012, 01:05:00 AM
When I helped my friend do it on his '00 Mustang, it pulled enough vacuum to crush the can.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: cougar1car on May 14, 2012, 06:59:54 PM
This might sound like a dumb ? But I really don't know. Is there a write up or how to on how to do this correctly. I have never done it before and don't wanna screw it up.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Haystack on May 14, 2012, 07:05:32 PM
I have never noticed a differance, but I have always done a good service first.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Sinista Chicken on May 14, 2012, 08:40:56 PM
Quote from: cougar1car;389945
This might sound like a dumb ? But I really don't know. Is there a write up or how to on how to do this correctly. I have never done it before and don't wanna screw it up.

If you have a sideways TB, you got to pull off a vacuum line and suck it in that way, otherwise dump in the top of a regular TB.

  Suck at least half the can in, you may have to rev it a little because it will want to stall.

 Once the amount you want is in (i use half a can) let it stall or shut it off

Let it sit for 5-10 min, then start the engine and watch it smoke like a diesel, I like to take the car out immediately throw it in second and run it to about 65-70mph WOT a few times on the highway

Then try to figure out if engine is still running as it will idle rather quietly (if it was badly carboned up before)
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: sarjxxx on May 20, 2012, 10:49:46 AM
plus it tells you right on the can how to use it :p
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 21, 2012, 06:46:37 AM
I am going to do an experiment with the stuff some time in the next 2 weeks. I am going to see if this stuff is really any good with a HALF BAKED EXPERIMENT. I am not a lab so i have to test this stuff the best way i can figure out. So i have an engine with a clogged passage in the carb. I already know this from testing the engine. So i am going to use this chemical and see if it nu-clogs the passage. Just a little experiment. As you can see i am a skeptic on things like this. But one never knows. God only knows i have judged things wrong before. Thanks
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: vinnietbird on May 21, 2012, 08:14:16 AM
Without putting any thought into this response, I'd have to wonder if Sea Foam is more of a carbon remover than a carb cleaner. Take a little and put it in a safe bowl, and soak a small part in it and see what happens.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 21, 2012, 12:10:33 PM
I think you are correct VINNIE. But their add claims it can help with clogged injectors. So why not a CARB. Just saying. I will be open minded about the stuff. Been hearing so much about it. Normally i dont believe in POTIONS!!!! Just me Thanks
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: mcb82gt on May 21, 2012, 12:29:50 PM
Tom, are you going to put it in the fuel tank or dump it in the carb?


I think it would be interesting if someone had a camera/scope to look in the comb. chambers before and after, for decarboning.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Beau on May 21, 2012, 12:59:50 PM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;390468
I am going to use this chemical and see if it nu-clogs the passage. Just a little experiment. As you can see i am a skeptic on things like this. But one never knows.

Post before and after pics, if you would...:bowdown::D
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on May 21, 2012, 03:51:42 PM
Sounds like a Mexican tune-up to me. 

:bs:
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 21, 2012, 05:21:29 PM
Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;390500
Sounds like a Mexican tune-up to me. 

:bs:

I agree. But i am not going to call it BS until i try it. I have eaten my words a few times in my life that is why i want to try it.  I also have a tractor with a messed up CARB. It needs to have the choke partially on to run. Sounds like a good candidate for the STUFF!!!! I will post the outcome and some photos THANKS!!
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Bruce M on May 21, 2012, 06:45:27 PM
Im with Tom, I dont normally beleave in potions but my ranger just rolled 120K and I have a check engine light that know one can read (no codes) so I'll give it a try.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: sarjxxx on May 21, 2012, 07:35:05 PM
Tom here is what seafoam does:rollin::

[video=youtube;mPKm8e4ty8s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPKm8e4ty8s[/video]
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Bruce M on May 21, 2012, 08:16:46 PM
I just finished the ranger, it smoked like a train. It runs a little bit better.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: cougar1car on May 21, 2012, 08:40:29 PM
Quote from: Sinista Chicken;389951
If you have a sideways TB, you got to pull off a vacuum line and suck it in that way, otherwise dump in the top of a regular TB.

  Suck at least half the can in, you may have to rev it a little because it will want to stall.

 Once the amount you want is in (i use half a can) let it stall or shut it off

Let it sit for 5-10 min, then start the engine and watch it smoke like a diesel, I like to take the car out immediately throw it in second and run it to about 65-70mph WOT a few times on the highway

Then try to figure out if engine is still running as it will idle rather quietly (if it was badly carboned up before)


Any vacuum line??
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 21, 2012, 09:46:32 PM
Steven

Do you have a working relationship with your neighbors???? Man that stuff really smokes. Now i have dun many a smoke show before but from my tires. That stuff is nuts. I have dun upper engine DE-CARBONING  from time to time. But their was smoke but not like that WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Chrome on May 21, 2012, 10:34:51 PM
Is that not hard on catalitic converters?
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: mcb82gt on May 21, 2012, 11:46:06 PM
Quote from: Chrome;390535
Is that not hard on catalitic converters?


What are those???
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 22, 2012, 05:51:45 AM
Quote from: mcb82gt;390540
What are those???


WELL just a device that increases HP a bit and is required by the FEDS!!!
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: mcb82gt on May 22, 2012, 08:38:54 AM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;390553
WELL just a device that increases HP a bit QUOTE]
 
Cmon!
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Chrome on May 22, 2012, 09:21:33 AM
Quote from: mcb82gt;390540
What are those???

I am not a big fan either. Just concerned about members that live in states that require the backsides of our cats and birds sniffed.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Sinista Chicken on May 22, 2012, 03:21:56 PM
Quote from: cougar1car;390521
Any vacuum line??

Any that go directly into the intake
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 23, 2012, 06:18:46 AM
Quote from: mcb82gt;390559
Quote from: TOM Renzo;390553
WELL just a device that increases HP a bit QUOTE]
 
Cmon!


Simply put a hot exhaust system makes exhaust flow faster!!!!!! Example installing an exhaust system that is to big in diameter decreases exhaust flow. If the system is to COOL it restricts exhaust flow. Once again hot exhaust moves faster than cold. The diameter is not the only factor and Cats do not restrict exhaust flow any more. Also the expanding flow of the gases when leaving the engine increases it's flow. Gm and all the major companies know this as well as tuners that study exhaust flow. A cat only exhaust system usually makes slightly more HP than a non cat setup. We tested a 500 RWH  CHEVY with and without cats and found a very slight increase and no decrease in HP with modern low cell cats firmly installed. Example the new ford 650 HP mustang has cats firmly installed under it!!! Ford as well as Chevy and Chrysler also say that the cats add a slight increase in HP and low end torque.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: sarjxxx on May 24, 2012, 01:26:13 AM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;390523
Steven

Do you have a working relationship with your neighbors???? Man that stuff really smokes. Now i have dun many a smoke show before but from my tires. That stuff is nuts. I have dun upper engine DE-CARBONING  from time to time. But their was smoke but not like that WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!

LMAO Tom I did it again the other day. But instead of doing in my driveway I did it in the parking lot of Auto Zone right after purchasing it. I then proceeded to floor it down the street.  FILLED it with smoke. Most fun I've had in a few days. :rollin:
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Sinista Chicken on May 24, 2012, 02:28:41 AM
Quote from: sarjxxx;390662
LMAO Tom I did it again the other day. But instead of doing in my driveway I did it in the parking lot of Auto Zone right after purchasing it. I then proceeded to floor it down the street.  FILLED it with smoke. Most fun I've had in a few days. :rollin:

 

That is my favorite part about seafoaming, all the looks from other drivers like whats wrong with your car.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 24, 2012, 06:50:47 AM
I would think so!!! But when we do it people call the COPS. People in the area dont like cars and they complain about the shop. The building is very old and the neighborhood is built up. The YUPPIES would like us to sell and MOVE. So anything out of the ordinary is a RED FLAG TO THEM. Most of the neighboring houses are ok with it but the PRIUS driving TREE HUGGERS COMPLAIN. The other day a guy came  to me and complained about the fumes from the shop. We were working on a CAMARO and it was a bit loud to say the least!!! He had a PRIUS!!! The guy told me to get in to the 21 CENTURY and buy a fuel efficient car. First off i told him to POUND SAND and then i pointed to the MIDNIGHTER. I told him i had a full size car with a turbo 2.3 that gets great mileage. He laughed. SO DID I !!!!! Then i told him i would rather be dead than drive a PIECE OF  PRIUS. Just me an old timer at best. The guy was all PISSED OFF. AND WHO THE FLIP CARES!!!!:hick::hick::hick:
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Sinista Chicken on May 24, 2012, 10:21:38 AM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;390669
the PRIUS driving TREE HUGGERS


Those are the worst kind of people I have ever met. A bunch of ignorant self righteous s:beatyoass:
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: T-BirdX3 on May 24, 2012, 11:24:49 AM
Quote from: Chrome;390535
Is that not hard on catalitic converters?

 
Did we ever get a serious answer to this question?
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: ZondaC12 on May 24, 2012, 04:23:55 PM
Anything that isn't the correct mixture of HC's/NOx/CO/etc is "hard" on cats. Running rich is VERY destructive because the heat becomes overwhelming and the internals might melt/warp/plug....I'm no expert but there's a reason cat'ed cars say "Unleaded fuel ONLY". Leaded fuel will also destroy them. They are sensitive to contamination.
 
I don't see the point of running seafoam through any car. I'm sure it is a powerful solvent, but the only components you can't get to physically to clean by hand are the intake and exhaust valves. If there are no misfires from your exhaust, no "thwuh thwuhh thwuhh" puffing noises, then guess what? Valves are closing and holding compression. Same with intake, simply shouldn't hear backfiring (LOL)/puffing anything like that. If it were me, I'd rather take a garden hose tricking water, and spray that into the TB while holding 2-3K rpm. Just enough that it starts stumbling/slowing down. The old tale of throwing a glass of water down the intake won't work. The water will flash boil and knock loose carbon, but not with that small quantity. Cars that develop leaky headgaskets have super-clean combustion chambers where it leaks into, and over time, every day, washes things away. So that trick has to be done several times, I'd say 15-20 minutes at a time. And again, careful not to DUMP water in, don't want a hydrolocked piston...
 
And if you've got serious carbon holding valves open...you've got more important problems. A rough idle? Pull off the IAC/EGR/EGR plate and se all of the carbon out, clean everything with copious amonts of carb cleaner or something similar. Ideally have the upper and maybe lower intakes hot-tanked or pressure wash them out, off the car of course. But some seafoam isn't gonna remove all of the built up carbon + gasoline + oil vapor from the PCV that you see in the upper intake.
 
Finally, of course if you don't have to deal with a high-enhanced dyno-test emissions check, BLOCK THE  EGR off, or unplug the vac line. This is all the main reason I have all of my cougars and my crown vic that way. EGR valve itself is going to start sticking, same with the IAC, potentially valves in the cylinder heads. Good ounce of prevention. I just question as to how effective Seafoam really is towards what you want it to do, especially after dealing with the long-ass smoke signal that would probably make the cops think you were roasting 'em LOL.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: bullitt4514 on May 25, 2012, 12:26:42 AM
Quote
PRIUS driving TREE HUGGERS



If I pass a prius in the mustang, I make sure to rev at it :giggle:
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Silent-Er@sEr on May 25, 2012, 12:50:23 AM
please note when you are pouring the seafoam into the vac line "i used the main line to the master" do not pour too fast causing the seafoam to pour on the hot manfoild.





glad i always have a extinguisher near engine bay went up in flames " no harm done to truck  no loss if there was Kia Sportage"
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on May 25, 2012, 02:15:16 AM
I'm just going to put a sticky note on my desk that says "NEVER DO THIS" right under the word seafoam.  If I end up with a carbon problem, I'll just fix it, thank you very much.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 25, 2012, 05:52:48 AM
Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;390728
I'm just going to put a sticky note on my desk that says "NEVER DO THIS" right under the word seafoam.  If I end up with a carbon problem, I'll just fix it, thank you very much.


Actually the car companies have a procedure to DE-CARBONIZE engines. So as i agree with you on MAGIC POTIONS. I ask you if you have a car in the dealer where you work fail emissions because of deposits OBD1. You pull the heads and DE-CARBON IT??? Or do you follow FORDS top engine cleaner procedure and chemicals to remove deposits??  Just asking!!!
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 25, 2012, 06:06:28 AM
ZONDA !!!!!

You might want to rethink removing the EGR VALVE. They are not evil things and they do work rather well controlling PING. And if by some chance you disable one from an OBD2 Car the SES light will pop up before you have the chance to close the HOOD. Other than that you post was spot on. Anyone changing a blown Head Gasket can see what introducing water/coolant to a cylinder can clean it rather well. I run water injection in the MIDNIGHTER
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: ZondaC12 on May 25, 2012, 07:46:13 AM
Oh believe me if I DID have to suffer with driving an OBDII car, I wouldn't be doing anything like that....aaaaaand that's why I have no OBD II cars ;)

And yes, it'll help keep pre-ignition in check, I've never heard any of them do that. The red car has it's timing bumped a little too, never an issue. I also have 160 degree 'stats in everything, and plenty of well-functioning radiator.

But I suppose it wouldn't be something to advise *everyone* to do. I just remember the first time I thought about it..."Soot + breather hose oil from the valve cover hooked up to the the throttle body? Wow so THATS where that black goo comes from. DAMMIT!!!!" Granted plenty of cars last a long time with these things never being touched. Too much idling maybe, where the valve is widest open...better-designed IACs would probably not get stuck...
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 25, 2012, 02:09:24 PM
Too much idling maybe, where the valve is widest open...better-designed IACs would probably not get stuck..

You made a typo or i mis-understood what you are saying. BUT !!!  An EGR is never opened at IDLE. They open off idle and during cruse. Closed at idle and  WOT.

EGR is a plus because it cools the combustion chamber like crazy. It really does little to soot an engine up. Bye the way a stout cam is an EGR VALVE!! GM uses higher overlap to accomplish EGR FLOW without a PHYSICAL valve. Lowering combustion temps is a definite PLUS!!!
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: ZondaC12 on May 25, 2012, 02:28:25 PM
EGR being vac-operated, I would think almost no vac = closed at WOT, high vac = open to the maximum amount at idle?
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 25, 2012, 10:51:23 PM
Quote from: ZondaC12;390749
EGR being vac-operated, I would think almost no vac = closed at WOT, high vac = open to the maximum amount at idle?

I am going to say this with CONVICTION. Their is no engine that i know of that has an egr valve open at idle. As the matter of fact a lot of FORD OBD1 cars will also set an SES light if the EGR is disconnected. Ford as well as other car companies use an EGR position sensor. So disconnect it and the SES will come on before you could drive around the block. Check the service codes if you dont believe me. All EGR systems use either Timed vacuum or a solenoid to block full VACUUM at idle. You cant run EGR at IDLE.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: CBASS on May 25, 2012, 11:26:51 PM
I disagree the egr is a plus. It dumps hot exhaust gas into the intake. And every intake I have taken off has black carbon soot in the intake where the egr attached. Plus over time the egr builds up with carbon and needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Chrome on May 25, 2012, 11:42:06 PM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;390769
I am going to say this with CONVICTION. Their is no engine that i know of that has an egr valve open at idle. As the matter of fact a lot of FORD OBD1 cars will also set an SES light if the EGR is disconnected. Ford as well as other car companies use an EGR position sensor. So disconnect it and the SES will come on before you could drive around the block. Check the service codes if you dont believe me. All EGR systems use either Timed vacuum or a solenoid to block full VACUUM at idle. You cant run EGR at IDLE.

x2. Engine will most likley die if EGR is open at idle.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Chrome on May 25, 2012, 11:49:05 PM
Quote from: CBASS;390776
I disagree the egr is a plus. It dumps hot exhaust gas into the intake. And every intake I have taken off has black carbon soot in the intake where the egr attached. Plus over time the egr builds up with carbon and needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Yes and no. The hot exhaust is non-combustible (unless car is running extreamly rich). It dilutes the air/fuel mixture. With a diluted mixture, the combustion is less powerful, thus cooling the engine. I agree with the carbon build up remark. With the build up, EGR will fail to open and close properly and make the car run like . Not to mention, it carbons up everything else in the engine.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Chrome on May 25, 2012, 11:56:00 PM
Those of you who feel the need to seafoam regularly may want to invest in a water injection system like Tom mentioned earlier. I don't know much about them, but I have heard nothing but good stuff. It would keep inside of engine super clean. No reduction in power. If I am not mistaken, the oxegen in the water will actually boost power. The cost of such system will pay for it's self in the long run because water is much cheaper than seafoam.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Sinista Chicken on May 26, 2012, 01:52:56 AM
The problem in my Cadillac is the EGR tubes in the intake plugging with carbon, on 3 of my Caddies I had to drill them open because the carbon was packed in so tight.  Most of the people that drive those cars baby the engines and never see 2000rpm.  After I Seafoam them good, with occasional WOT runs they never seem to carbon up much.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: flylear45 on May 26, 2012, 06:11:16 AM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;390769
I am going to say this with CONVICTION. Their is no engine that i know of that has an egr valve open at idle. As the matter of fact a lot of FORD OBD1 cars will also set an SES light if the EGR is disconnected. Ford as well as other car companies use an EGR position sensor. So disconnect it and the SES will come on before you could drive around the block. Check the service codes if you dont believe me. All EGR systems use either Timed vacuum or a solenoid to block full VACUUM at idle. You cant run EGR at IDLE.

I have to agree with Tom 100% on this. EGR is a misunderstood system that really helps with mid-throttle detonation on vehicles timed for having them. The modern Chevy  computer controlled PCM EGR system is really good in my experience.
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: TOM Renzo on May 26, 2012, 08:10:35 PM
The EGR system is one of the most miss understood system in an engine. It accomplishes many pluses for an engine and keeps detonation in check very efficiently. I do know that tubes plug up that is true. The EGR system is a system that recycles INERT gases back in to the mixture that allows the engineers to control NOX and increase some of the paramaters on the ECM for better mileage and performance. Example a disconnected EGR on lets say a heavy ford with a 302 can ping on 87. But with EGR it is a quiet as a MOUSE.  Thanks for listening
Title: Seafoamed the TC
Post by: Chrome on May 26, 2012, 10:49:12 PM
EGR valves can be good or bad. If you have an EGR problem you are in real trouble. Also, EGR valves have a way of making engine problems worse.