FWIW, if all you want to do is knock some carbon out of the combustion chamber you can slowly pour water down the carb throat to steam clean the pistons. Don't laugh, it works...and it's free.
Seafoam- yay or nay?
- Thread starter joesregalproject
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As much as you want but a pint is probably sufficient. Just make sure you add it slowly. Imagine peeing down the carb. DON'T just dump a quart in. Make sure the engine is completely warmed up. Rev the engine to about 2500rpm and slowly pour it in. You'll hear the engine ping while you do it. As the water hits the hot combustion chamber it vaporizes and turns to steam. Have you ever seen the piston and chamber when a head gasket is blown? This does the same thing. Another method is to hook up a long vacuum hose to the intake manifold and (engine warm and running at 2500) dip the other end into a jar full of water. That will suck the water in at a slowish rate.
yeah my dad said they did it all the time in mexico, but i never heard no one else do it is i never tryed itDRIVEN said:
you can also pour a little transmission fluid down the carb but make sure your in an open area cause transmission fluid smokes alot when burnt.
I've heard about the water cure solution when I was a kid. It sounded crazy, but apparently it does work...and it is free.. :lol:
The water trick seems to really work on cars that get putted around alot. My grandma had a Volare with a slant 6 in it that responded really well to it. It was literally the little old lady car that only got driven to church and the grocery store. Where I've had success with Seafoam is on 4 cylinders that get stuck rings from lack of oil changes. Since the tops of the pistons are pretty much horizontal (as opposed to most V-engines that are 30-45 degrees) you can pull the plugs and pour some Seafoam directly into the cylinders. Letting it sit on top of the pistons overnight often helps free up the rings. When you start it the next morning it smokes like crazy! Just be sure to rotate the the engine manually to clear it from the cylinders before trying to start it. Fluids don't compress and you can damage the engine if you hydro-lock it.
DRIVEN said:
yeah, i didnt think it sounded too safe. i think ill give seafoam a try despite the some of the seafoam horror stories i've heard.
I've used the kerosene method and it works without any damage. I've also done the bon-ami treatment to seat rings. I use the transmission fluid in the oil and down the carb to clean both top and bottom of the engine. I have nothing against seafoam except it's price.. transmission fluid is alot cheaper and does the job.
pontiacgp said:
well i might try the trans fluid, if... it creates as awesome of a smoke show as seafoam! 😀
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