They say the more, the better. But this is not entirely the case with seafoam. Seafoam’s negative effects can still be felt in your vehicle even when you use it in minute amounts.
This cleaning agent can clog fuel passageways, causing a buildup of more debris and dirt, which could, in turn, shorten the lifespan of your engine. It thus becomes a question of whether to avoid seafoam entirely or not.
This piece seeks to shed more light on the possible adverse effects of seafoam and how to use it properly.
What Does Seafoam Do?
Seafoam, an automobile cleaning agent, is made to clean the buildup of dirt, debris, and carbon in the fuel system and car engine.
The product formula was put together in the 1930s by Fred Fandrei. And it aimed to prevent fuel and fuel products from going bad, consequently preserving engine life.
When an engine has been in use for a couple of years, residues from fuel and gasoline products build up in the fuel passageway. These residues could culminate over time and endanger the engine.
Cleaning the inside of a car’s fuel system can be challenging. You would have to remove the entire fuel tank to ensure proper cleaning. It is more likely to miss the sludges stuck in corners. Due to the stress associated with cleaning these parts, people seldomly clean them.
With seafoam, it’s a different story entirely. You are less concerned about dealing with it as the product does the cleaning for you. It liquefies carbon deposits allowing them to be ejected easily.
Can Seafoam Damage Your Car Engine?
Generally, seafoam is safe to use in all types of gasoline and diesel engine fuels. The petrol-based detergent is created with the aim of cleaning parts of the engine that we couldn’t reach.
However, when used in excess or without the manufacturer’s guidelines, seafoam can damage your car engine. Fuel residues start to loosen faster and float in the tank. As a result, the dirt may jam up even more pathways or flow in the opposite direction.
Seafoam Negative Effects?
As amazing as the product appears to be, there are a couple of downsides to using seafoam. A few adverse effects you may encounter while utilizing the product include:
Reduce Fuel Economy
Seafoam can clog fuel lines even more, especially if used in excess. Because the obstruction prevents the free flow of fuel, your gas mileage suffers. Your engine may even stall as a result.
Damage to the O2 Sensor
It’s best to avoid using seafoam if your O2 sensor is on the verge of failing. There is a very high possibility that the product will completely kill the sensor. Even if your O2 sensor is in fine shape, using seafoam on a regular basis will eventually lead it to fail.
A damaged O2 sensor might set off a chain of unpalatable reactions. It could have a detrimental impact on fuel mileage, emissions, and the sensor’s ability to identify problems.
Thin Out Your Oil
The most prevalent disadvantage of seafoam is making the engine oil thinner. This is especially true when it’s added directly to the oil.
The oil keeps the moving parts of an engine lubricated. And it must maintain a specified viscosity to accomplish this. The thinner it becomes, the less it lubricates the engine and the more damage it does.
A possible solution is to change the oil as soon as it gets thin. Skipping oil changes can lead to engine trouble. Here is why you should regularly change the oil to maintain your engine.
Incompatible With Some Injector Systems
Seafoam has a counter-effect on certain injector systems. The product is highly unsuitable for engines with direct injection or requiring a high-pressure pump to maintain fuel flow evenly.
You should stay away from the seafoam when having a car with these engines. If not, you will have to fork over thousands of dollars for engine repair.
How To Use Seafoam Properly?
For car owners who know how to make good use of the product, seafoam is known to have a magical effect on cars. The detergent product breaks down sludges, gunk, and carbon deposits, allowing your engine to run as though it were brand new.
The key to ridding yourself of the negative effects of seafoam is knowing how to make proper use of it. Here are a few tips:
- Only use seafoam according to the manufacturer’s instructions. One of the instructions is to add the product only after the engine has been revved up between 2000 – 30000 miles. This is an excellent strategy to avoid the product’s harmful effects.
- Pour the cleaning agent directly into the fuel tank. It shouldn’t be used in the fuel intake system. If you insist on using it in the air intake, use the spray product.
- Do not pour seafoam directly into your oil. The product is not a substitute for engine oil as it can thin out your oil.
- Only use it when necessary. Remember, it’s a cleaning agent that risks damaging your engine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Happens When Putting Too Much Seafoam in Oil?
Putting too much seafoam into your engine’s oil can only harm it. First, the oil begins to thin out in a consistent manner, reducing its lubricating effect. This could produce friction in several engine components, leading to overheating and other issues.
Excessive use of seafoam also clogs your vehicle’s self-cleaning system.
Is Seafoam Bad For Old Engines?
In general, seafoam is not recommended for older engines, especially when idle and in poor condition. This is because older models of engines may not be able to handle the seafoam’s strength. It has the potential to loosen debris and poor seals — which might result in, the worst part, a leak.
How Often Can You Use Seafoam?
The product manufacturers recommend adding a can of fuel every 3,000 miles. In the case of smaller engines, you can use seafoam as often as you refuel.
If you’re going to use seafoam for frequently used engine parts, you should add it to a new tank fill. And you can repeat this process at least every three months.
Conclusion
Like every good thing, seafoam has its ups and downs. The product works, no doubt. It does wonders to engines and fuel systems, getting rid of carbon deposits that pose potential damage to an engine.
At the same time, seafoam is capable of doing some damage too. It allows gunk to flow freely in fuel passageways, causing it to clog delicate parts. However, this only happens when you disregard the manufacturer’s instructions. Or when it’s utilized on weak engines and faulty O2 sensors.
If used as prescribed, seafoam will work wonders for your fuel system, and your engine will be the better for it.
I’m Tim Miller, an automotive mechanic and a blogger from Denver, Colorado.
I’m the founder of gmundcars.com and obdadvisor.com, automotive blogs to share my 20 years of experience as an auto mechanic and help everyone with their car problems. My reviews and articles about car repair and maintenance can be found on my own websites.
