Question about Seafoam...

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Old 03-04-2014 | 03:32 PM
  #1  
PacificLegacy's Avatar
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Car Info: '03 WRX Wagon
Question about Seafoam...

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, but just out of curiosity, what are your guys opinions on using Seafoam in the brake booster line?

Or am I going about this all wrong...

I've been wanting to clean the engine internals and I've read up on a bunch of forums, but I have no idea how to go about doing it without damaging anything.

It's a non-turbo 2000 LGT.

Thanks in advance
Old 03-04-2014 | 03:47 PM
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Try it in the pcv line that goes to the intake manifold
Old 03-04-2014 | 04:08 PM
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Old 03-04-2014 | 04:17 PM
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Go slow. I've never done it on my subie to be safe, I've only put it in the gas and it helps some
Old 03-04-2014 | 06:39 PM
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I do the PVC and buy a baby bottle from the dollar store and put the nipple on the vac. and let it suck normally, its the perfect size to not drown the engine.... works wonders. I have used it on every car except my outback and my new wagon.
Old 03-04-2014 | 10:10 PM
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The proper way to clean engine internals is to take things apart and clean them.

I was a technician for Toyota during the 1mz sludge crisis. Seafoam, kerosene, simple green, purple power, engine degreaser...it doesn't matter what you use. It physically has to be scraped, scrubbed, and sprayed out.

Same with carbon deposits in your intake. The chemicals help break it down, but if you can't physically reach it with a toothbrush, not much of it is going anywhere.

If it's in a bottle, the only thing you are buying is marketing and a nearly useless liquid.

Top engine cleaners are designed to blow smoke out your exhaust, creating the illusion of cleaning something. However, if it is used regularly throughout the life of a vehicle, it may help prevent buildup. It does help, but barely.

The SOHC non-turbo Subaru intake manifold comes off in about 5 minutes btw...if you really want to clean it.
Old 03-04-2014 | 10:43 PM
  #7  
PacificLegacy's Avatar
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Originally Posted by spinplay01
The proper way to clean engine internals is to take things apart and clean them.

I was a technician for Toyota during the 1mz sludge crisis. Seafoam, kerosene, simple green, purple power, engine degreaser...it doesn't matter what you use. It physically has to be scraped, scrubbed, and sprayed out.

Same with carbon deposits in your intake. The chemicals help break it down, but if you can't physically reach it with a toothbrush, not much of it is going anywhere.

If it's in a bottle, the only thing you are buying is marketing and a nearly useless liquid.

Top engine cleaners are designed to blow smoke out your exhaust, creating the illusion of cleaning something. However, if it is used regularly throughout the life of a vehicle, it may help prevent buildup. It does help, but barely.

The SOHC non-turbo Subaru intake manifold comes off in about 5 minutes btw...if you really want to clean it.
So if I clean the carbon deposits out of my intake manifold, it'll run smoother too?

Thank you for the detailed reply. And everyone else for the information so far
Old 03-04-2014 | 11:06 PM
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Originally Posted by spinplay01
The proper way to clean engine internals is to take things apart and clean them.

I was a technician for Toyota during the 1mz sludge crisis. Seafoam, kerosene, simple green, purple power, engine degreaser...it doesn't matter what you use. It physically has to be scraped, scrubbed, and sprayed out.

Same with carbon deposits in your intake. The chemicals help break it down, but if you can't physically reach it with a toothbrush, not much of it is going anywhere.

If it's in a bottle, the only thing you are buying is marketing and a nearly useless liquid.

Top engine cleaners are designed to blow smoke out your exhaust, creating the illusion of cleaning something. However, if it is used regularly throughout the life of a vehicle, it may help prevent buildup. It does help, but barely.

The SOHC non-turbo Subaru intake manifold comes off in about 5 minutes btw...if you really want to clean it.
Thats good information! I have been fooled
Old 03-04-2014 | 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by PacificLegacy
So if I clean the carbon deposits out of my intake manifold, it'll run smoother too?

Thank you for the detailed reply. And everyone else for the information so far
Cleaning the intake manifold will not help vehicle to run much smoother. Cleaning throttle body/IACV may help. (probably where Jack saw improvement)

For an engine to run smoothly you need consistent airflow (intake and exhaust), consistent compression, proper fuel/spark delivery, and proper timing (cam and ignition)

Regular things to check: air filter, clean throttle body, fix any intake/vacuum leaks, oem or better spark plugs/wires, clean ground contacts, check for exhaust leaks, clean electrical contacts on AFM, cam position sensor, crank position sensor, throttle position sensor... Clean transmission fluid can make a difference in the feel of an automatic transmission, plenty of little things to do to keep a car running well
Old 03-05-2014 | 01:24 AM
  #10  
PacificLegacy's Avatar
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From: Kapolei
Car Info: '03 WRX Wagon
Originally Posted by spinplay01
Cleaning the intake manifold will not help vehicle to run much smoother. Cleaning throttle body/IACV may help. (probably where Jack saw improvement)

For an engine to run smoothly you need consistent airflow (intake and exhaust), consistent compression, proper fuel/spark delivery, and proper timing (cam and ignition)

Regular things to check: air filter, clean throttle body, fix any intake/vacuum leaks, oem or better spark plugs/wires, clean ground contacts, check for exhaust leaks, clean electrical contacts on AFM, cam position sensor, crank position sensor, throttle position sensor... Clean transmission fluid can make a difference in the feel of an automatic transmission, plenty of little things to do to keep a car running well
Got it. Thanks for all your help!
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