I was reading the fluids and lub forum and came across a procedure where you use Seafoam to clean out the intake system. Which is more effective, using something like Seafoam or manually getting to the throttle body to clean it out?

****For clarification the Seafoam procedure is below:******
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I regularly clean my throttle body by removing it so I can clean both sides and I use BG44K to clean injectors, etc. I have been wanting to clean the intake manifold since I was cleaning the two main things on either side of it.
I looked around to get info and pricing - dealership charges $100+ and most auto shops charge $80+

Well I found some stuff called Sea Foam for $6 and used it. It is supposed to "Clean carbon build up, Clean intake valves and pistons, Give smoother idle, Clean catalytic converter odors , Cure hesitations and pings, and Restore power and pickup" http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUp.htm
It is not carried by most auto part chains (advance, autozone, etc) I got it at a local place (for local N VA guys - Fairfax Auto Parts)

How to use it
1. Run car to normal operating temp.
2. Disconnect brake booster vacuum line (big hose that connects to brake master cylinder)
3. Pour liquid into a paper cup (makes it easier to handle)
4. Start car
5. Dip vacuum line into cup of fluid (do not just stick it in and leave it, it will kill the car. dip it it for a few seconds until you hear the car about to die then take it out. repeat this until you are done. i used the suggested amount which is 1/3 of the bottle)
6. Turn off the car
7. Let sit for five minutes (the liquid will eat away at all the dirt and carbon in the intake manifold, cylinders, valves, etc)
8. Reconnect brake booster vacuum line
9. Start car (you will see ALOT of white smoke coming out of the exhaust, that is all that nasty cr@p coming out. mine had 88K miles worth of nasty cr@p!!!)
10. let car run at about 3K RMPs for a few minutes to get everything out.
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http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....4&page=1&pp=30
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some people swear by this product, others do not. i used it once on my 3rd gen and that was good enough for me.

me personally, i would clean the throttle body manually. that way you can see it and know that it is clean, instead of relying on the product.

 

well that sure is a good writeup

the seafoam doesnt clean the throttle body just the intake manifold. you need to clean the throttle bofy separetly

 

thanks for the clarification.

 

I have used it twice and it works like magic...Sea foam

 

and sea foam also makes a throttle body cleaning spray
ive had some for about a week and havent gotten to use it yet

 

they also have a tranny cleaner for when you flush the tranny... just saw it at advance auto yesterday... i did not see the TB cleaner though.... can you just use the regular sea foam and a brush for that? to be honest the best stuff i have found to clean metal parts with is with Remington Bore Cleaner...

i would not suggest that you suck that into your intake though

 

All the cars I've owned, all I needed was regular oil change to hit 200K+ miles. I've always been against additives.

 

I used the seafoam. Help smooth out my idle and gave me more pick-up. That was at 80k miles.

 

i just used it at 49k, change oil right after, worked i guess , i also cleaned out the TB manually but i didn't take it out, just took out the rubber corugated piece and used tb cleaner


idle perfect, no more stalling, and more throttle response!!

 

I completely agree! My '90 max has 235K on it so far w/ oil changes every 1500-2000 mi.

 

why change oil so often? I use Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic and do changes every 4000 miles... 1500 is way too soon...

 

I might have to try the seafoam.. nice write-up!

 

Where is the Vacumm line on the 03 Maxima?

 

thanks for the info ptp
can we get this writeup added to the "How To's"??

 

I think SeaFoam is doing something that many people used to do with crap like ATF or Marvel Mystery Oil or GM Top-end engine cleaner... pouring the stuff in the vacuum hose or spark plug hole to clean the engine out by force. Except this stuff is far easier to use.

I think the spray-on product is called "SeaFoam Deep Creep"... might wanna buy a bottle for my next TB cleaning (been ~50K miles)

 

I did it again last night and it works like Magic...... it is a buy...... everyone should do it........... good luck

 

Where is the Brake Booster Vacuum Line, I really appreciate the help!!!!

 

it is the black rubber hose that connects to the brake master cylinder which is up against the firewall of the car on the drivers side. i used plyers to pull the clamp down and then twisted the line right off.

 

there is a picture of it in the write up thread...its in the first post in this thread. the location is the same for 02/03

 

this isnt an additive..its a cleaner. changing your oil does nothing for your dirty intake system

 

In this picture, what side of the vacuum line would you disconnect to use, the left or right side?

 

the right side that connects to the brake master cylinder...it has to be that end so you can stick the tube into the sea foam

 

Quit using my pics without my consent...hee hee...j/k

 

I prefer to clean the trottle body manually, its a little more works but it is safer for the environment and less toxic for myself and others who live near by. Please take 2 minutes of your time to read the chemical composition on at this link: http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUp.htm

 

Sorry about that ZIPPIN, Just wanted to make sure what end to pull the line off so I don't screw up the Maxima. By the way, great picture, better then the other one I was looking at from someone else. Anyways, so where your red arrow is is where I pull the line and dip it into the cup full of SeaFoam.

 

get a plastic cup. pour in 1/3 bottle of sea foam, and barely dip it in. if you insert the whole tube, it will stall. and yes the arrow you have pointing is the side you need to use

 

Thanks ZIPPIN, appreciate it alot. Will try it out tomorrow morning, see how it works!!

 

First of all, I don't use a synthetic oil and second, i've had my cars go 286K (old lincoln town car), 235K (current '90 max), 186K (current LS400) and 155K (my old '94 SE). All without any major mechanical problems over all the years. I like to think that my oil change interval has a lot to do with that.

 

Towncar is one of the few well-built american cars, so i am not surprised it went 286K. NIssans and Lexuses are overall very dependable vehicles. All you do with your short intervals is waste oil. I bet it is a bit darker than apple juice when you drain it each time... unless you race the hell out of your car.

 

Youre missing out, man. Nobody here is saying you need additives to keep your car running. Additives such as seafoam make your car run better, they are not necessary by any means. Don't deny it till you try it. Seafoam worked very well for me. Also, I used a different hose than pointed to in the picture, but it really doesnt matter.

 

Well, I used the SeaFoam today!! I used about a half of bottle which was sucked up into the vacuum line very easily. The Maxima came close to dying just once. I then waited about 8 minutes and then started the Maxima back up, WoW what a cloud of smoke. I kept the engine about 2 1/2 to about 3 rpms for about 3 minutes till all the smoke cleared. I then took it out for a drive. I will have to say, I thought I had low end power but now I know I have it. I then emptied the rest of the SeaFoam into my carnkcase to loosen up anything in there. This is a must for anyone who feels there car dragging. I would say 2 Thumbs Up!!!!!!

 

The way I see it, if I modern technolgy can make something to help my car work better, I am for it. Why fight it?

 

@CharlieJag...

What hose did you use? I'm assuming we have the same vaccum hose, but in a different location, right? We have the same car, and I'm very interested in giving the Seafoam treatment a try. I haven't picked up the repair guide, so I haven't yet had the opportunity to familiarize myself with the car all that much. I have just over 75k miles on mine...

Thanks!

 

another good experience
you changed your oil right? you should do that after seafoam anyway...especially if you put the rest in the crankcase