Seafoam revisited - United Bimmer Community

**Dudesky** · 05-22-2006, 07:22 AM

I'd like you opinion on this, folks.

I bought a can of Seafaom, and I know a couple of you have used it (Catalyst, I think). But I've been leery of doing it because I've heard it can sometimes do more harm than good, if it cleans out the crud in the cylinder walls that is otherwise maintaining a good seal; you could actually lose engine compression, especially on higher mileage cars. I've got 147k on the clock, and my test results a few months ago was 230-230-230-223-224-232. The engine has no known issues, aside from the occasional slight hesitation at low rpm's, which I attribute to mildly clogged injectors. So what do you guys think, should I do it?

**zeit00** · 05-22-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

I'd like you opinion on this, folks.

I bought a can of Seafaom, and I know a couple of you have used it (Catalyst, I think). But I've been leery of doing it because I've heard it can sometimes do more harm than good, if it cleans out the crud in the cylinder walls that is otherwise maintaining a good seal; you could actually lose engine compression, especially on higher mileage cars. I've got 147k on the clock, and my test results a few months ago was 230-230-230-223-224-232. The engine has no known issues, aside from the occasional slight hesitation at low rpm's, which I attribute to mildly clogged injectors. So what do you guys think, should I do it?

There should not be any crud on the cylinder walls. The piston rings will scrape any crud clean. If you loose compression by cleaning your engine, the engine is in REALLY bad shape. Actually having that crud in your engine will cause hot spots and can cause pinging and other rough running conditions. I ran seafoam quite regularly through my old engine and it was clean as a whistle.

**Dudesky** · 05-22-2006, 09:30 AM

My bad, I misphrased this . . what I meant was any residue buildup that may be closing the gap between the cylinders and pistons??

**zeit00** · 05-22-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

My bad, I misphrased this . . what I meant was any residue buildup that may be closing the gap between the cylinders and pistons??

Again.. Nothing really should be there. I mean to be honest using chevron fuel will probably clean most of that off. The seafoam just gets what the techron can't. Its like the scare with using synthetic oil, causing leaks. The leaks have always been there, and the problem needs to be fixed regardless..

**Dudesky** · 05-22-2006, 09:54 AM

Makes sense, good enough for me . . I'll end up doing this in a day or two, try to capture all the smoke on video for you guys

**Beater_Bimmer** · 05-22-2006, 12:45 PM

sweet i cant wait to see the smoke cloud you make, ive been considering doing this as well, let me know how it goes...

**Spieluhr** · 05-22-2006, 02:58 PM

link to product and procedure?

i remember reading about this a while ago, but need to be refreshed.

**defkon99** · 05-22-2006, 03:15 PM

wtf is seafoam?

**Dudesky** · 05-22-2006, 05:16 PM

http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

**xsperf** · 05-22-2006, 05:25 PM

do it b4 u sell the car

**Dudesky** · 05-22-2006, 05:31 PM

Not sure I'm still gonna sell it . . I've fallen in love with it again in the last couple of days

And I also found a place in Cali that will send me a tranny for $650.

**94bmw325i** · 05-22-2006, 05:49 PM

I have used seafoam on all of my families cars except for my dads suv becaust that is only about 20 months old.

I don'tt get a huge cloud of smoke whenever I do it, if I recall correctly catalyst got this because he ran his car hard right after he did it...

**celsdogg** · 05-22-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

Not sure I'm still gonna sell it . . I've fallen in love with it again in the last couple of days

And I also found a place in Cali that will send me a tranny for $650.

yeah! keep that Bimmer!

**defkon99** · 05-23-2006, 10:14 AM

YES PLEASE UPdate on this maybe a DIy becuase im not sure how to do it.

**Dudesky** · 05-23-2006, 10:22 AM

^^^Ya, I'll be doing it after work today.