How to use Seafoam Topic is solved

[matthew1]

Do you have a 2001+ V70, XC70, S60? The intake is different. You'll want to use How to Use Seafoam on a 2001+ Volvo.

I did the traditional 1/3 in crankcase, 1/3 in gas tank and 1/3 in intake yesterday.



1/3 in gas tank: this is self-explanatory. Use a funnel.

1/3 in crankcase: where your oil goes. Note you must change oil within a few tens of miles after adding Seafoam to your crankcase. Your engine and oil is not designed to run with Seafoam in it for an extended period. I drove 5 or so hard miles after adding the Seafoam.

1/3 in intake: this is the tricky one.

First, pour 1/3 can of Seafoam into a clean glass container, preferable something durable like this Coke bottle. The point is you want to be able to see what you're doing with the hose.



Second, drive to a desolate area, leave the car on, and pop the hood.



Take a cap of one off the vacuum tree nozzles.



Attach a hose, at lease 2 feet (.6 meter) in length. Have a "P2" Volvo, meaning a 2001+ V70 or S60 or XC70? You don't have a vacuum tree! Luckily, MVS contributor Velorider shows us how to use the brake booster line to suck Seafoam into the intake on P2 Volvos.



Then slowly move the hose down to the liquid and vacuum it up. The CRUCIAL thing here is to not submerge the tip of the hose in the Seafoam. Keep it at the top so that it pulls air and liquid at the same time. Like kids do with their straws with a drink when they want to annoy you. Idle should dip a little, but not die. Seafoam instructions -- I believe -- say to kill the engine by sucking in too much. I am wary of that. Hydrolocking your engine is a very real danger here. I'm pretty sure a member here did that very thing doing this very procedure about a year ago. If anyone knows the thread, please post it in a reply below.

Why tempt fate? Take your time. I took about 5 minutes to suck all the liquid with the hose. Idle dipped and recovered over and over. This is when the smoke begins.



The smoke is why you want to go to a desolate industrial area -- the amount of smoke will annoy people.

Then go for a hard drive for 5 or 10 miles. Smoke will pour out of your exhaust at first, then after a few miles will clear up to normal.

This post is for educational/entertainment purposes only. I bear no responsibility if you bend a rod hydrolocking your engine with this stuff. If you're unsure, put 1/2 in gas tank and 1/2 in crankcase and forget the vacuum intake.

[jblackburn]

Don't stall the engine; just suck it in and shut the engine off.

Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then come back and start it up, and drive off in a big cloud of smoke.

Don't forget to change your oil soon after.

[arsenal6]

I did that just last week, cleared up most of the dieseling.

I ran into a volvo mechanic. Told me to put in 25 bucks of 94 octane and run it at 130 km/hr for 30 minutes to fix it up the issue. Gonna try it out.

[chax]

Thank you for the clear, concise write-up, matthew1!

[anfranco60]

Did this on my 95' 855 w/ 185K. about 2 months ago. 1/3 - 1/3 - 1/3. I pulled the main vac. booster and poured it in w/ a funnel.
I had read the tread about hydrolocking from the 'Tree' and got scared.
I shut off the engine and let it stand for 15 mins. Then I fogged the hood. Got in her and 'drove it like I stole it'!
I have observed substantial throttle response and get up. She runs and sounds like a watch.
Now I'm dealing w/ major oil consumption (1 qt. @ 700-900 mi.) and lifter clacking @ morning start up.
This stuff is Magic.
~ Thanks Matt ~

[Ferrisml]

Well according to the instructions on the 1 Pint can (16oz) that they sell, you need at least 3 cans of SeaFoam for it to work properly. Here's what the instructions say to do:

Crank Case: Use 1 and 1/2 oz per every quart of motor oil can be used and mixed with synthetic oil, can be used long term or before oil change, change oil when dirty.

Gas Tank: Use 1 ounce per gallon of fuel. Cleans fuel gum and carbon from injectors, removes tank moisture and stabilized fuel

Intake Use: Use the intake hose from the break booster use 1/2 pint or 8 ounces let SeaFoam sip up into the hose, do not pour it in. Let the engine sit for 5 minutes then restart engine and rev the engine until it does not smoke any more. Repeat if necessary.

I personally followed the direction. I went to Track Auto and bought 3 cans, they were $9.99 each so I spent 30 bucks but it was better than spending 200.00 for a new PCV system, I used a measuring cup from the kitchen and poured in 11 ounces into the crank case. Then I poured about an ounce down the oil trap hose and another ounce down the hose that leads into the PCT Nipple and I let it sit for about 30 minutes. I used the third can as instructed and let the SeaFoam sip up into the break booster hose while the engine was running, after the whole can was used up I let the engine sit for about 30 more minutes.
I restarted the engine and “OH MY GOD” I thought one of my neighbors was going to call the fire department because there was so much white smoke coming out from the pipe that lasted for about 15-20 minutes and then all the smoke just went away. I then took the car for a “Hard Spin” on the belt way for about 12 miles doing full power pulls 55-90 MPH and I noticed right away that there was way more boost in the turbo. I got 3 .2 more miles per gallon and the engine was noticeably more responsive and felt smother. Then I got home and changed the oil and “OH MY GOD “there were litterly soft chunks of globy black oil pouring out into my oil pan. So over all I would recommend this treatment on an annual basis or every 30k miles. It only took about 2 hours total but now my Volvo is fun to drive again, Oh and by the was Its also a really good way to find cracks in hoses cause you will see white smoke coming from them if they are leaking. Probably the best 30 bucks I have spent on my Volvo.

[Retired MVS Contributor]

I do not know what "Seafoam" is, but I, myself, would not run any additives, chemicals, etc through the intake of a running engine...Oxygen sensors and catalytic converters don't like it...Even if it doesn't ruin them, it could greatly shorten their life...Pouring oil into the cylinders to restore commpression is an OLD, OLD trick and often works, but this too, if overdone, is not good for the oxygen sensors and catalytic converters...

[RCR]

Uh you guys do know that they now make Seafoam in a spray can with a tube designed so you drop the pre bent tube into the intake just in front of the throttle body reattach the air tube and run it through don't you?? MUCH MUCH easier to use it that way and is more effective in cleaning the carbon off the pistons, chamber and valves done that way! Be sure you do a throttle plate and MAF clean also to get the full effect.
Seafoam In the tank is ok but I think there are better injector cleaners out there ( like the LUCAS) and I don't use it in the crankcase.

[MatDesign84]

When adding to the intake for my 850, will this enter my oil? I dont need an oil change right now lol.

Also, is the procedure the same for my 240? Maybe a picture of where to add to the intake the other two places to put it are obvious for me.