Sea Foam - What's it all about and should you use it?

Sea Foam might be a good option if you have problems with your car's engine.

Is Sea Foam good for cars? To determine if Seafoam is the solution, it’s important to first determine its pros and cons.

We will be looking at Sea Foam's chemical makeup and how it can be used to treat motor problems. If you're interested in giving it a go, we will also tell you whether or not it is recommended. 

What's Sea Foam?

Sea Foam is an additive designed to clean vehicles' fuels and engines. You can use it to clean the intake valves, carburetor passages and other important components. It’s designed to remove carbon deposits that build up over time. 

Sea Foam can both be used with diesel- and gas-powered engines. However, it’s not compatible with everything on the road.

How is Sea Foam made? Sea Foam contains a majority of petroleum-based products in its chemical composition. You will find the following ingredients in Sea Foam: pale oil (40-60%); naphtha (20-25%) and isopropyl al (10-20%). 

Sea Foam Pros

1. The best price

It’s not cheap to own and operate a vehicle. You will always be looking for additional costs when parts or equipment are required. This is on top of the fuel cost and maintenance.

You could pay as low as $20 depending on the place you buy your Sea Foam container. It’s hard to get anything for your vehicle for such a low price, making this product a great value for the benefits it offers. 

2. Motors that are clean

Sea Foam can be used in your engine to provide many benefits. It’s designed to remove residue and deposits left in the engine after many miles of use. The engine may not perform as well as it should because of this debris. 

Sea Foam has the ability to prevent corrosion and improve lubrication. It’s also used by customers that are concerned about the deterioration of the seals, ensuring a longer life. 

3. Stabilizes Fuel

Sea Foam can be added to the fuel system as a stabilizer. Stabilizers can also be added to your vehicle's fuel system. They help decrease evaporation and may increase the car's potency.

According to the manufacturer, you can use this additive to stabilise fuel up to 2 years. However, not everyone agrees that it’s good for this long. The additive may be useful even for short-term storage. 

4. You save money on repairs

You could face a costly repair if your vehicle experiences a failure. However, there’s always the chance that a simple bottle of Sea Foam could repair the issue or prolong the need for the repair.

You might consider buying a container of Sea Foam if you have dirty fuel injectors. It is possible to try an additive before you spend $200 on fuel injector cleaning. 

RELATED: 6 Best Motor Oils for High Mileage Engines in 2022 – Review

Sea Foam Conds

1. Thins Oil

Sea Foam can make your engine oil thicker. It’s vitally important that the oil viscosity remains consistent with the manufacturer’s specifications to keep the motor running its best. This additive could cause more problems than you think.

For this reason, it’s important not to put in more Sea Foam than what’s recommended. You don’t want to add too much and reduce the lubrication and protection of the motor oil.

RELATED: 0w20 vs. 5w20 vs. 5w30 – Oil Viscosity Explained 

2. Potential Damage to the O2 Sensor

Sea Foam isn’t likely to damage a well-functioning oxygen sensor. If the O2 sensor has already been damaged, however, the O2 additive may speed up the process.

Engines will start to run more rougher once the oxygen sensor stops working. Also, the engine may have poor fuel economy. 

3. Diminished Fuel Economy

Sea Foam can be used in fuel tanks to clean them. If you do this, it’s possible to notice a decrease in gas mileage.

Of course, this decrease isn’t going to be anything major or a permanent increase. However, it is not a good idea to pay more for fuel than you need. 

4. Some engines not compatible

If the car engine contains direct injectors, you don’t want to use Sea Foam in the motor. The additive will loosen up dirt, debris, and sludge and it can end up in injectors, causing clogs. 

You might have to pay hundreds of dollars, or thousands of dollars, for repairs if it happens. If you own a direct-injection diesel motor, the cost of repair is higher. 

Sea Foam should you be using?

Sea Foam can be used to clean your engine at a low cost. It’s also able to stabilize fuel and help you save money on car repairs. Sea Foam, on the other hand can cause oil to thin if used in excess. It also isn’t compatible with all engines, can damage the O2 sensor, and decrease fuel economy.

Only you can make the decision about whether to accept or reject it. Sea foam motor treatment This might be an option. You might consider adding a bottle to your engine if repairs are already necessary. 

On the other hand, you don’t want more damage to occur. You could face a higher repair bill if a critical system is damaged by the additive use. 

Sea Foam: What to Do?

1. Crankcase

Sea Foam is used to remove sludge from the engine and prevent contaminants. One can of the additive treats up to 16 quarts of oil, so you probably won’t need it all.

You should make sure you travel at least 500 miles to get the right amount of oil before you change your oil. The oil can can be used after an oil change. This will ensure that all contaminants have been eliminated. 

2. The Fuel Tank

Sea Foam can also be added directly to the fuel tank. You can reduce buildup and deposits at the pump and injectors by doing this. 

A single bottle can hold up to 16 gallons. Use the appropriate amount based on how large your vehicle’s tank is. 

3. At the Top of the List

Sea Foam Spray top engine cleaner can be used to remove deposits from intake valves and combustion chambers. It’s the same composition as the general Sea Foam additive, except it’s sold in an aerosol spray. 

A hook tool is included with the bottle that you can insert into your air intake. The intake can be found just before the throttle plate. After you find the area, turn the engine on. After the engine has warmed up, increase the idle speed by 2,000 RPM. Spray the contents in the intake. 

After turning off your engine, allow the vehicle to soak in a hot bath for fifteen minutes. After 15 minutes, you can take your vehicle out for a test drive. Be a bit more aggressive when using the throttle. You should clean the intake after five to ten minutes. 

4. In Diesel Fuel Filter

Sea Foam can be used to prim the diesel fuel filter when you do a fuel filter change. Take off the old fuel filter and remove the existing diesel fuel from its housing if it’s the drop-in variety. 

You can add the additive to a filter that is spin-in if you already have it. Allow the engine to start for 2 minutes. Turn off the engine for fifteen minutes. You can then drive normaly again to make sure the injectors are being maintained.

FAQs about Sea Foam