I know there are other threads (perhaps too many) that address the stuff, but I would like to share my experience with using Seafoam.

My 1997 Cavalier 2.2 OHV has about 152,000 KMs now, and I'd been planning to try out Seafoam for a long time, but could never find for sale locally. A couple of months ago, I spotted some at a NAPA dealer, and picked up two cans. I wanted to get a chance to use it where the smoke wouldn't be a problem, and it sat around until today. I actually forgot I had it. What reminded me was that my father was having a hell of a time with a 2-stroke weed eater. It would bog terribly and refuse to run without the choke on. I suggested running some of the Seafoam through it. Not thinking the odds were very good of it helping, I used about 1/8th of the fuel-tank worth and mixed it up. Five minutes later, the weed eater ran like new.

Impressed, my Dad went with me to a well ventilated area (an small airport, actually), and helped me feed some Seafoam to my car. A little more than half a can went in the vacuum line, while engine bogged and missed slightly without stalling. When finished, I was just beginning to get some smoke from the tailpipe, and turned the engine off by the key. The rest of the Seafoam went in the fuel tank. My next oil change was a ways off, and I'm not a fan of random solvents in the crankcase, so none went in the oil. A few minutes later, I restarted the car (which didn't sound too happy at first), and immediately went for a 20 minute highway run (with some full-throttle launches when convenient ) There was disappointingly little smoke, but I figured perhaps there wasn't much cleaning to do.

For the past several months, I've been experiencing a worsening "tick" or "clatter" in the engine. (See my thread on this issue). I assumed it was a sticky lifter, or perhaps even a problem with the timing chain. It was downright annoying, not to mention embarrassing when I drove along side a building or in a drive-through that actually let me hear it clearly. This noise is now COMPLETELY GONE. I'll repeat that: Seafoam completely cured my noisy valvetrain.

In addition, the engine starts faster, runs smoother and vibrates less. My plug wires used to jitter around like the antennae of a crazed insect. Now they barely move. My only explanation for this is that perhaps the noise from before was caused by a sticky valve (rather than lifters or chain). This could potentially upset the balance of the engine.

Anyways, of course this result is not typical. Of course I'm not responsible if the stuff eats your gaskets and destroys your engine. And of course, I'm not out of the woods yet since I've only been enjoying the benefits for a single day so far. Despite these disclaimers, I'm pleased as hell. I'm another believer.




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