Seafoam - love it or hate it ???

Just bought 16’ 4Runner with 38k on its 4.0 - Carfax shows regular “stealer” service history

Lots of debate about Seafoam tundras.com page - I’m putting it in my 18’ tundra fuel tank every oil change- 5k- only done one-have not put in oil yet??

Like to do as much as my own wrenching as possible

Wanted to see what u 4Runner guys are thinking on using Seafoam????

Especially in this situation were I don’t know vehicle history- is it ok to put in tank / thru dirty fuel system @38k - will I have to change a fuel filter etc.
That could collect debris broke lose by Seafoam???

How bought in crankcase @ oil changes- I have herd to use just before oil/ filter change- so u get fresh filter after run thru
Any other possible issues??

Thx for ur thoughts

 

Waste ya money as ya please.

 

No thanks. Not in a vehicle that new.

That being said I have used it in my 88 that has 310k miles. Did it do anything? I couldn’t tell.

 

Seafoam is excellent in carburetors but I not sure of it benefits in EFI. Run a tank of premium high octane every once in a while. But I agree with the above posts, I wouldn’t use it in that new of a 4Runner.

 

Ive used it a few times & feel it helps (50k and 100k miles). But the guys who have been doing this longer than me like Lucas oil or Techron better. A much bigger waste of money ($200) would be doing the recommended fuel injector cleaning at the stealership.

 

I used it last week in my generator that I forgot to drain the fuel out of for a year. Poured in fresh ethanol-free fuel and 1/4 can of seafoam and it belched black smoke and barely ran for about 3 minutes, then started running better and better. Now it purrs like a kitten with no smoke. Used it in a couple of ATVs and motorcycles that had been sitting for a while with bad fuel and got similar results. But for a low-mileage Toyota SUV? Likely a waste of money.

 

For most vehicles specially newer ones snake oil in my opinion. I do and/or have used it in mowers and things, hey if it f's up a Toro I'm out 300.00 not thousands! However I'm also anal about storing all power tools with the "tru fuel" you can buy at Home Depot. I am not a mechanic and do not work on my own vehicles but I'd be nervous about putting it in oil just my .02

 

I mostly have owned older vehicles, newest was a 2014. Worked in automotive field for years, I have used seafoam on all of my vehicles. I like using it as an oil treatment to prevent sludge and what have you, I also use it in the gas tank 3-4 times a year and have not had the “normal” fuel system ware and tear.

 

If you're going to use a fuel system cleaner, use a product with a high concentration of PEA.
It's one of the few additives that have been shown to actually work.
Red Line and Techron are two that come to mind.

 

Waste of money, if you like the stuff put it in your lawn mower.

 

Unlikely you need to do anything at that mileage, but if you feel the need to do something, do this for your fuel system ^

....and try this oil:

 

I bought it once.

And well its still sitting on my shelf.

 

Just realized this post is from 2019.

OP has likely already blown up his 4runner by using Seafoam.

 

Or it has made 0 difference.

I have used seafoam in boats, when getting them ready to store for the winter. But, I can't remember the last time I used any kind of fuel treatment in a daily driven vehicle. A lot of gas stations put in their own additives, so it seems redundant.

 

I will choose to believe that it accelerated the rust on OP's frame by 7%.

 

What's your procedure for a boat motor pre-winter?

 

"Seafoam"? Never heard of it...

 

It wasn't much of a procedure I guess. My dad liked to put a can of seafoam and some fresh fuel in in the fall and take the boat out and run it Wide Open for a few minutes before putting it away for the winter. I can't say whether or not it made much of a difference, but his boats did always run well. And, we never ran into any issues with starting things in the spring.

 

I am using it in a GMC V6 to get engine sludge out after 18 years of rare oil changes. Oil turns black after a hundred miles. Still adding it before oil changes at 1500 mile intervals. No improvement yet in oil color. 2006 Vehicle about 50,000 miles. Hoping it will remove sludge inside engine. Vehicle used infrequently.