Need to use more... At least 1/2. Remove your spark plug and look at the piston top with a flash light. I guarantee you will have carbon build up at that mileage.

 

I used seafoam in my camry in the booster line and in the gas tank. I noticed no difference from the booster line though I got a lot of smoke. It said 1/3 of the can. I put 3/4 of another can in the gas tank and I gained some gas mileage from that. I have heard many stories of bad o2 sensors from using it if the o2 sensor is about to go anyway.

 

I believe that is the wrong Seafoam product. I think it is better suited for cleaning throttle bodies and IACVs.

 

Its the same thing, just an aerosol version so you can control how much is going in there at a time. No differance in it really. No one around here carries the regular seafoam, so I had to purchase that one.

 

You are correct, it is the same thing.

 

Hey Guys I ama proud owner of a 89 max se, with a vg engine.

My car has 222,700 miles! (By the way, yes my car runs very well)

(I am just trying to help it run even more smooth!)

I was going to try Auto-RX but then I heard about Sea-Foam I want to use it in all three places.

Will the same vacum ( Brake Booster) line that you guys used on your 4th gen work for my 3rd gen?

My other question is what is the worst that could happen (ex. 02 sensor,...) ...ect.... ?

 

^ It says not to use if you have over 145,000 or 150,000....something like that. I can't remember.

 

Why would it say that on the bottle?

If someone beat the crap out of a max and had 100,000 on it and used Sea-foam wouldn't be like the same thing with a gently used max with 222,000 miles. It only had one owner with mostly interstate travel ?

I still think I might use Sea-Foam unless you guys feel that I reeeeaaallly should not ! !

 

What are your thoughts on using it in the PCV valve ?
and if I use it in the brake booster do I "need" an oil change?
or only if its used in the crankcase ?
How often do you guys use the Seafoam ?
If I have 1 can, and use, lets say 1/2 of the can today and the other half tommorow, will that affect anything ?

 

UPDATE:
Hey guys,
Used Seafoam - and all I can say is WOW! The car feels more responsive than ever, and its smoother. The most important part is that it seems as if I'm getting better mileage as well! I had used ~1/2 can through the brake booster line and the other half in the gas tank. Now my question here is, would it be bad if I went out lets say tom. and did the seafoam treatment again just to get any extra carbon out? Also, I usually put in techron fuel injector cleaner every 3k miles - but now I'm thinking should I do this treatment instead ( 1/2 in the line, and half in the tank)???

Thanks again guys....

Later...

 

I would hold off on anymore Seafoam at this stage. You are using Chevron Techron way too often as well.

What you might want to do to clean the engine internals, which Seafoam can't do to the same extent, is to try AutoRX which is only available over the internet. See www.auto-rx.com

You should also research LubeControl, also available only over the internet.

 

Hey,

On the bottle of the fuel injector cleaner it says to use every 3k miles - and If i'm not mistaken, i believe I had read the same thing here on the .org - also, is it a good idea to use seafoam every 3k miles??

Thanks again..

Later.

 

Any body help me !!!!

Can I use the same brake booster vacum line you guys are using ON YOUR 4TH GENS with a 222,700 MILE 3rd gen ?

tHANKS

 

Not sure if you're still waiting for a reply on this....Yes, you can use it, I just did it this morning....i have an 89 too with 210k miles in it, CEL keep coming on coz of an EGR malfunction, i have given up on resetting the ecu and when i did this seafoam thing this morning thru the brake booster....the CEL was gone!!!

 

I would be inclined to use the Chevron Techron before every 2nd oil change, rather than every 3,000 miles which seems like overkill to me.

Using Seafoam every 3k miles is also overkill.

In fact, if you read the owners's manual it does not recommend using any fuel or oil additives.

Start by using Top Tier gasoline and stay away from short trips without bringing your vehicle up to operating temperature, particulary in colder weather.

 

I know there's a lot of good opinions arround here about the Seafoam product, but.... when I went to my closest AutoZone the guy told me that never in his career has anyone come and asked for the Seafoam. He keeps this stuff hard to reach, coz there's no people wanting it. He told me that he has some stuff that really works and that people buy. He himself claims that before starting his job as a seller in AutoZone he used to be a mechanic for 13 (!!!!!!) years - so I assume he knows what he's saying....
Has anyone of you guys ever used the Marvel Mystery Oil ? I heard a lot about how good this stuff is... If someone has used it, can you explain how precisely you did that? Neither on the bottle, nor in the internet can I read if I'm supposed to add it before having my oil changed, or should I drive the car normally with it inside of my oil and fuel tank?

 

I've used MMO

It isn't bad using it in the oil, but when I put it in the gas tank, my MPG went down by about 2 - acceleration was smoother but not worth it to me for the MPG loss

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

How exacly did you do it? Do I have to wait for my oil change and then pour this stuff in, or should I put it in now and than change the oil?

 

Dumped some in the oil like 200 miles before an oil change and then mixed some in the new oil after an oil change

 

I just put a bottle in my crankcase tonight, engine sputtered like crazy then died, started it back up and went for a nice long hard drive...no smoke though...is that cause I didn't let it sit? Do I need to change my oil now? The bottle didn't say anything about changing your oil or anything like that...I'm kind of scared now cause I did it to increase my RPM's and idle and now my idle is rougher???

 

u shouldn't have put the whole can!!! can't imagine what's with your engine now. avg. 1 1/2 ounce per quart

 

You don't put the whole can in the crankcase (didn't you read the directions?) and it doesn't smoke when you add to the oil (only when added from the brake booster line)

 

So have i totally effed up my car!? and yes I did read the directions...What do I do drain the crankcase and start over...man I'm like freakin out now!

 

Just do an oil change ASAP (your oil is probably too thinned out)

 

Alright I'll do it today...thanks for the quick replys

 

I put a whole can of SeaFoam (love that name...) in my gas tank. I'll pass on doing the brake booster thing as my neighbors would get upset with any engine smoke.

Not bad stuff...although not really any better than others I have tried like Lucas Gas Treatment and Prestone 0-60.

Here's my take on the "damaging O2 sensors" thing. I think that some people make the mistake of putting the cleaner into a nearly empty tank at Autozone, or at their home, and THEN driving to the gas station to fill up. This causes the concentration of cleaner in the gasoline to be way too high, and that it what I believe messes up the O2 sensors.

When used properly, such as putting it into your tank AT the gas station, I do not see this product burning out an O2 sensor.

 

You are better off using LubeControl FP60, BG44K, Gumout Regane or Chevron Techron in your gas tank than Seafoam. Similarly you are better off using LubeControl LC20 or AutoRX in your crankcase. I would only consider using Seafoam in a brake booster hose but not anytime soon.

 

I have an 03 maxima with close to 80k miles on it, would you guys recommend I use seafoam? Or some other product? Also is the break booster line the same in the 5th gen as 4th gen? (I'm sort of an engine newbie, forgive me).

 

To expand on what I just said above:

If you want to clean the engine internal, crankcase and ring packs, use AutoRX. See www.auto-rx.com and www.bobistheoilguy.com (BITOG).

I would only use Seafoam (haven't yet) through the brake booster hose to clean out the intake manifold, which AutoRX does not do. At 80K it might not hurt to do this in your case; I haven't yet as I only have 61k mostly highway miles on my 95SE.

I would not use Seafoam in the crankcase as I believe there are better products, eg. AutoRX and LubeControl LC20 (see www.lubecontrol.com and BITOG). Similarly I would not use Seafoam in the fuel system as I believe there are better products, eg. LubeControl FP60, Gumout Regane, Chevron Techron, BG44K.

You might also want to clean your throttle body, idle air control valve and EGR system as well, something that I haven't done yet either, but would consider at your mileage.

 

How do you advice one do this?

The reason I ask is cuz I have a 96 Max SE w/ 145k on her and I'm getting a p1400 dtc for "Differential Pressure Feedback EGR Circuit Low Input" which illuminates my CEL. It's been on constantly for about 4-5 months now cuz I haven't had the $$ to get it QQ'd at & fixed, so I'm hoping there's somethin I can do in the mean time.

My gas mileage is pretty poor & I have a definite loss of power compared to my mother's 98 GXE. I used to think the lack of power was caused by my knock sensor going dead since I used to get a p0304 code for it, but this code went away shortly after I installed a new one. I'm not sure, but I think I also used to get a p0305 code for egr malfunction, which went away on its own after a while. ??

Strangely enough, after installing the new ks, my car's power came back and was fine for about the 1st day or so. The next day, the power loss had returned. I soon figured out that if I take off & reinstall the ks, I'd get a temp. "power boost" back to what the car should drive like. But by the next day or so, the power loss would return. Now, this temp. fix doesn't even fully restore stock power levels & it doesn't even last for more than an hour or so.

I should probably add that my car has NEVER accelerated like my mom's from day 1, & since the ks doesn't illuminate the CEL, it was prolly on its way out when I bought the car. DAMN I HATE GETTING BURNED!!!
That's why I'm getting 1 of these: http://www.iequus.com/item.asp?cid=7&pid=3110

NEhow, when I changed the spark plugs for the first time, they were all dirty black w/ carbon buildup all over them pretty much exactly like this pic: http://hammer.prohosting.com/~98fxdwg/CARBON.JPG

I use Mobil1 5w-30 synthetic oil & M110 filter for oil changes (usually ~ every 7500k or so), have changed the fuel filter & pcv valve myself, routinely clean out my air filter (k&n drop-in panel type) & almost always use BP or Shell 87 octane gas. Could any of these things have accelerated the rate of carbon buildup in my engine, or was it already @ an accelerated state when I bought the car? Is there anything else beyond routine care & maintenance that I could/should do to slow down the rate of carbon buildup in the future?

Anyone have any suggestions on how I should go about finding out & fixing what's wrong? I don't have much money for labor to pull of the intake manifold and manually clean out the egr system or any other such indepth procedure, so any little things I can try like seafoam, fuel system/injector cleaner, or simple diy checks I can do to try n fix the prob. myself would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks much.

 

Are you serious?!?!
Dood, maxima engines are supposed to run on premium like 92-94 octane whichever your local gas station serves. Of course, you will have power loss.lol
Buying 87 octane will eventually screw you over far down the road.
Open the gas door and read the sticker. It says Premium is recommended.

 

Try cleaning the EGR valve and plenum. It is not in the intake manifold. If you have a faulty EGR system your NOX levels well be elevated and you won't pass emissions testing.

You should get the EGR system checked out. Something may need to be replaced.

Stop using 87 octane gas.

Consider two trials of AutoRX to clean out your combustion chamber, ring packs, and engine internals. See www.auto-rx.com and www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

Any body care to explain what the Plenum is?

 

How exactly do I do that? Any directions & materials list for this procedure?

Luckily for me, they don't currently do emissions testing in FL. At least not where I live.

Ya I figured as much. But would the egr valve being stuck open explain the 3 problems I'm having?
1) Lack of torque.
2) Worse than usually fuel consumption (all other things considered).
3) CEL. Does a stuck egr valve trigger the CEL?

Really? Huh...I thought our engine's 10.0:1 comp. ratio & relatively "mild" ignition timing puts us at the border b/w having to use reg. 87 octane & using premium? At least that's what I thought I read on this forum somewhere.

Does it matter what grade premium I use? 89, 93 or anything in between?

I probably shouldn't start using premium til after I get the prob. fixed though right? Otherwise it'd likely be a waste of $$ buying premium if the problem still exists wouldn't u say?

Before or after fixing the problem? Prolly after huh? Thanx much!

Anymore such helpful advice?

 

To elaborate on my above symptoms:

1) Maybe the a/f ratio is rich cuz the ecu is tryina compensate for the lower concentration of fresh air in the intake charge (cuz of higher concentration of recirculated exhaust gas), by dumping more fuel into the comb. chamber.
2) Rich a/f ratio for given fresh intake charge, resulting in above avg. fuel consump.
3) Stuck egr valve triggering CEL.

Any helpful advice is appreciated! Thanx much.

 

Hey guys Iam doing an oil change tommrow on my 02 and i bought a can of Sea Foam and want to run it though the brake booster line, can someone help me locate where it is

 

this is the brake booster on a 4th gen but it will probably in the same area on most cars or maximas at least

 

Since Seafoam's DEEP CREEP is the same stuff as SEAFOAM in a can, where else can one use it?

Is it any good for cleaning the IACV, EGR or PCV valves?

When you put it into the brake booster line, like where does it go from there before it gets to your intake manifold?

 

Break buster hose runs from the left hand side of your master cylinder. It is a thick rubber hose coming out of it and the hose should feed directly into manifold...

 

Besides squirting it into the brake booster line, are there any other places that could squirt?