2.3L ('83-'97) Seafoam

[martinglen]

I just wanted to get some opinions on using seafoam in the crankcase. Mainly if it's safe and does it work. I have a 97 with 198,000 miles.

 

[Dirtman]

I like seafoam for use in the fuel tank, and to spray down the intake once in a while for carbon cleaning. I don't use it in the crankcase. If you do regular oil changes its simply not necessary. If the truck is used and the engine a little gummed up there are better products to flush the oil like bk44, but it's made for a flush, not to actually leave in the oil.

 

[Shran]

It thins out the oil to some extent. I think I remember reading that you only run it in the oil for short periods of time, right before an oil change. I've had good luck freeing up stuck lifters by running up to a quart of diesel fuel in the oil and just letting it idle for half an hour or so, then changing the oil... But only because I had nothing to lose on a junk engine. A good quality oil and timely changes should negate any need to run additives in the oil at all.

 

[martinglen]

Thanks for your response. I'm having a cylinder 3 misfire. I've tried everything possible to fix it. I figured I might try the seafoam thinking maybe carbon build-up on the.piston or valves.

 

[Dirtman]

Thanks for your response. I'm having a cylinder 3 misfire. I've tried everything possible to fix it. I figured I might try the seafoam thinking maybe carbon build-up on the.piston or valves.

Not the way to go about this. First to fix an issue like you describe (carbon buildup) you would have to use seafoam sprayed through the intake or sucked into a vacuum line, not poured into the crankcase. Second, if the cylinder is not firing the seafoam wouldn't really do anything because it relies on it being turned to steam by the cylinders heat to bust up the carbon. Seafoam in the oil might free up a stuck lifter that could cause a miss, but your engine doesn't have lifters.

You should confirm the problem first by going through the basics, check spark on #3, check compression wet and dry, and test the injector.

I highly doubt seafoam or any chemical is gonna fix or diagnose the issue here. I've never found any chemicals or additives that can work miracles. Sure some are great for maintenance but they never really "fix" anything once it's broke.