my DIY-one-man-non-asphyxiating seafoam device
10-24-2009, 02:51 PM
#1
my DIY-one-man-non-asphyxiating seafoam device
Yep, its probably been done before..
Decided to seafoam the max today and didn't want to end up like David Carradine.
Just unhooked the vacuum line on the IM elbow and ran 6ft of vaccuum hose to the cockpit. Closed all the windows (leaving a crack for the hose) and sucked a can of seafoam through the engine in style and comfort. Although the usual anxiety is there because my neighbors started looking outside to see this ginormous cloud of noxious fumes coming from my car.
the battery was there to maintain vacuum while the car warmed up.
Decided to seafoam the max today and didn't want to end up like David Carradine.
Just unhooked the vacuum line on the IM elbow and ran 6ft of vaccuum hose to the cockpit. Closed all the windows (leaving a crack for the hose) and sucked a can of seafoam through the engine in style and comfort. Although the usual anxiety is there because my neighbors started looking outside to see this ginormous cloud of noxious fumes coming from my car.
the battery was there to maintain vacuum while the car warmed up.
10-24-2009, 02:58 PM
#2
That seems ingenious. So simple, too.
Can you describe the process, why you did it and what your thoughts are afterward? I know seafoam threads are a dime a dozen, but you just did it, so it's fresh in your head.
Can you describe the process, why you did it and what your thoughts are afterward? I know seafoam threads are a dime a dozen, but you just did it, so it's fresh in your head.
10-24-2009, 03:05 PM
#5
I think the most important step is to choose a location thats a) well ventilated and b) won't **** off neighbors or the local constabulary
1. find the vacuum nipple on the IM elbow (after the throttle body). remove the line
2. hook up 6ft of 1/4" inner diameter vacuum line and route it under the hood near the rear so you can close your hood. run the line in through driver side window and close it as far as you can without crimping the hose.
3. warm up your car. keep your thumb (or battery!) in the line so it maintains a good idle.
4. rev it to 3k rpm, and keep it there no matter what. remove thumb (or battery!) from the end of the vacuum hose and start dipping it into the open can of seafoam. dip BRIEFLY. the key is to let your engine suck in small volumes and not hydrolock. i say i probably did a good 10-15 dips to use up the entire can.
5. at this point you will think you're driving your car 10,000FT above sealevel - in a cloud somewhere. shut off your car.
6. check facebook on your phone for 15 minutes. this lets the seafoam sit on your piston tops are start to break down some of the carbon. Remove the vacuum hose and reinstall the original one.
7. start her up. more smoke will ensue. take it on the freeway ASAP and drive it like you stole it.
8. after 5 or 6 WOT runs the smoke should clear up, but linger for another good 10 min afterwards.
9. probably a good idea to change your oil after doing so.
1. find the vacuum nipple on the IM elbow (after the throttle body). remove the line
2. hook up 6ft of 1/4" inner diameter vacuum line and route it under the hood near the rear so you can close your hood. run the line in through driver side window and close it as far as you can without crimping the hose.
3. warm up your car. keep your thumb (or battery!) in the line so it maintains a good idle.
4. rev it to 3k rpm, and keep it there no matter what. remove thumb (or battery!) from the end of the vacuum hose and start dipping it into the open can of seafoam. dip BRIEFLY. the key is to let your engine suck in small volumes and not hydrolock. i say i probably did a good 10-15 dips to use up the entire can.
5. at this point you will think you're driving your car 10,000FT above sealevel - in a cloud somewhere. shut off your car.
6. check facebook on your phone for 15 minutes. this lets the seafoam sit on your piston tops are start to break down some of the carbon. Remove the vacuum hose and reinstall the original one.
7. start her up. more smoke will ensue. take it on the freeway ASAP and drive it like you stole it.
8. after 5 or 6 WOT runs the smoke should clear up, but linger for another good 10 min afterwards.
9. probably a good idea to change your oil after doing so.
Last edited by theStig; 10-24-2009 at 03:18 PM.
10-24-2009, 03:06 PM
#6
Didn't want him to think he was up in the sky amongst the clouds and that it was a good idea to go angel hunting.
Oh yeah, and i didn't want to inhale the fumes once the wind changed direction.
10-24-2009, 03:15 PM
#9
Overtime, PCV blowby, combustion, etc leaves dirt, carbon, and oil in your intake tract / combustion chamber. It's an old shadetree technique to use seafoam to remove some of this stuff.
To be fair, i did have a slightly rough idle that seems to have gone away after the seafoam and runs noticeably smoother. I've noticed dramatic differences in other cars before, but not quite so on the max.
10-25-2009, 06:07 AM
#10
it was just one step in my quest to solve my power loss issues.
Overtime, PCV blowby, combustion, etc leaves dirt, carbon, and oil in your intake tract / combustion chamber. It's an old shadetree technique to use seafoam to remove some of this stuff.
To be fair, i did have a slightly rough idle that seems to have gone away after the seafoam and runs noticeably smoother. I've noticed dramatic differences in other cars before, but not quite so on the max.
Overtime, PCV blowby, combustion, etc leaves dirt, carbon, and oil in your intake tract / combustion chamber. It's an old shadetree technique to use seafoam to remove some of this stuff.
To be fair, i did have a slightly rough idle that seems to have gone away after the seafoam and runs noticeably smoother. I've noticed dramatic differences in other cars before, but not quite so on the max.
Wondering if seafoam could address that. What do you think?
10-25-2009, 07:26 AM
#11
FWIW- ive seafoamed my 00 max and my current 02 max and i never had any problems with either..just be sure to plan on changing your oil the same day you seafoam...
another side note is that there is more then one place to suck up the seafoam.. IE- brake booster line. IM line past the TB and another IM line that is near the VIAS
and it is good to mention.. that when the OP talks about sucking it up slowly ..thats very imp.. you want to just touch the vacume line into the seafoam..so that it makes a slurping sound ..like drinking soda thorugh a cup of ice with no soda left lol..
also.. besides afraid of being shot(might want to think about moving
) .. there is no reason you can't do this standing in front of your car ... good pics reguardless..
another side note is that there is more then one place to suck up the seafoam.. IE- brake booster line. IM line past the TB and another IM line that is near the VIAS
and it is good to mention.. that when the OP talks about sucking it up slowly ..thats very imp.. you want to just touch the vacume line into the seafoam..so that it makes a slurping sound ..like drinking soda thorugh a cup of ice with no soda left lol..
also.. besides afraid of being shot(might want to think about moving
) .. there is no reason you can't do this standing in front of your car ... good pics reguardless..
Last edited by mist max2000; 10-25-2009 at 07:30 AM.
10-25-2009, 08:18 AM
#12
Change my oil, eh. But I'm le tired. Been in the crank case for a few hundred miles....
I didn't notice much from seafoaming through the brake booster, but also had cleaned everything when I did spark plugs/IM spacers.
I did develop a low idle and idle was a little rough a while back, so I dumped a couple cans in the gas. Issue has been resolved.
But it's okay, thanks to the awesome nissan oil dip stick (this one must be extra retarded, other max's were fine), I must be running 6 quarts in there
(not joking). It's 15w40 anyway, not too worried.
I didn't notice much from seafoaming through the brake booster, but also had cleaned everything when I did spark plugs/IM spacers.
I did develop a low idle and idle was a little rough a while back, so I dumped a couple cans in the gas. Issue has been resolved.
But it's okay, thanks to the awesome nissan oil dip stick (this one must be extra retarded, other max's were fine), I must be running 6 quarts in there
(not joking). It's 15w40 anyway, not too worried.
Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 10-25-2009 at 08:21 AM.
10-25-2009, 08:44 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 1,767
:bawlin g:I'de love to see all the seafoam pour all over the inside of the vehicle now too.
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