SEAFOAM BEWARE...

vlv850 · Post by **vlv850** » 26 Nov 2007, 11:51

My Seafoam horror story, maybe It's my fault, but beware or be careful with Seafoam.

Just did a Seafoam treatment on my 94 850 NA. Sucked it through the intake tree into manifold, let sit 15 min., started it back up. Tons of smoke, and a horrible clicking/knock from the engine. Drove it a few miles, until smoke subsided, but knocking continued.

Should I be worried? Normal? Should I let engine run until knocking goes away?

Thanks

vlv850 · Post by **vlv850** » 26 Nov 2007, 12:44

Just spoke with local Volvo Mechanic (Vovo Shop in Phoenix), said most likely a piece of carbon is stuck on top of piston, and is causing the knock. This should burn off.

Has anyone else had this experience? Or another opinion?

Post by **Maxbaby** » 26 Nov 2007, 15:06

Can't say I've experienced it, but it's certainly something I've heard of a number of times, and it's been talked about here and some of the other non-volvo forums that I've been on. It's just one of those things that could happen when you do such a treatment, and usually will correct itself by, as you've already learned, burning off.

vlv850 · Post by **vlv850** » 26 Nov 2007, 21:43

anyone out there with some input or experiences...anyone...?

I've narrowed the knock to one of 2 things (I think): Bent rod or a piece of carbon on top of piston.

Little help...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Nov 2007, 22:17

Keep driving it and see what happens. I doubt you've bent a rod from just using seafoam.

vlv850 · Post by **vlv850** » 27 Nov 2007, 18:13

The Seafoam Saga Continues...

Drove it to my Volvo mechanic this morning, with people looking at my broke a$$ car, so he could here the noise in person...NOT GOOD. He didn't think was a bent rod, to high pitched of a knock he said. Didn't think was a piece of carbon either, but something was stuck in the cylinder or broke in there. Checked all the plugs, oil pressure, compression, all good to go. Next step...remove the head. I ended up leaving the car there, and taking a cab home.

I'll keep you posted as to how it turns out, Seafoam beware.

vlv850 · Post by **vlv850** » 01 Dec 2007, 15:05

Okay, so the head came off, #1 cylinder was shot, and wet per my mechanic. no use really fixing (so he says) and it's new engine time. Engine wasn't hydrolocked nor a bent rod, i don't know what happened....

Maybe the vacuum line I used only fed into the #1 cyl. not all of them...used one of the throttle body tree.

Called Seafoam, they basically said tough shit, you applied it incorrectly. Sue us if you want us to fix it.

SEAFOAM BEWARE....

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 02 Dec 2007, 20:14

What do you mean by "#1 cylinder was shot and wet...".Was the cylinder wall scored or scratched? Was the piston cracked or melted? Were the rings broken? Were the valves bent or burned? What was the cylinder wet with;gas, oil,or antifreeze? Was it a problem that could have been caused by Seafoam or was this a problem that had been brewing for a long time?

vlv850 · Post by **vlv850** » 02 Dec 2007, 20:28

I'm not a mechanic, nor try to be. Just quoting what my mechanic told me.

Before seafoam, no problems that I'm aware off

After seafoam...well you read the post.

Post by **matthew1** » 03 Dec 2007, 10:51

vlv850, I'm sorry for what happened to your Volvo. I think I echo everyones' thoughts when I say that sucks.

Can you provide us with a few variables to add to the equation?

What grade gasoline did you use?
Did you run injector cleaner/fuel treatment?
Did you rev the engine/drive hard/"Italian tuneup"? Frequency?
Synthetic or dino oil?

These questions are not meant to point fingers at you, just get an idea if you "battled" against carbon buildup, or switched oil type recently etc.