Seafoam Spray

Tiny
JANNN
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Good day,

My GLS Accent has a 1.6 MPI automatic engine that I bought new in 2008 has about 150,000 Kilometers on it. With basic service (not from dealers), petro 91 octane fuel and synthetic amsoil fluid changes this car is running better than when I bought it. Now I am planning to use Seafoam every where! It is difficult to get information in Canada regarding throttle body sensors, but I think this car has only a MAP/IAT sensor and more in the air intake throttle body.

My question is do you think using Seafoam Spray as recommended through the air intake throttle body would harm or improve any sensors in question that send data to the ECM unit to regulate fuel combustion and emissions?

Thanks, Jannn
Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 AT 7:15 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
Engine sensors do not come in contact with gas. Only the intake air temperature sensor comes in contact with the incoming air, but again, not fuel. Up to two position sensors are triggered magnetically. No cleaning products will reach them or help them. The other sensors are sealed. If Sea Foam could get in, so could water and dirt.

I think you are putting too much faith in this "mechanic-in-a-can". Most often people make some repairs, and add a product, then when the problem goes away or is reduced, it is the chemical that gets the praise, not the other repairs.

To address your other comments, information about sensors is all over the internet, and that is not limited in Canada. If you want know how a sensor works and cannot find that information anywhere else, post a reply here and I'll share as much of my wondrous wisdom as I can spare!

91 octane fuel will cause running problems if your engine does not require it. All the higher octane number means is it is harder to ignite, so pre-ignition is less of a problem on some high-compression engines. You will get the best performance from the lowest octane fuel you can use. The misconception is higher-octane gas has more power, but in fact, what it means is it allows the engineers to design an engine that is able to develop more power, but it would have severe spark knock unless the octane rating is raised.

Be aware too that detergent additives are highly-concentrated versions of the additives already found in gas. The cheapest gas today has much more effective additives than was found twenty years ago. There is very little you can add to the gas tank that will do a better job than the gas itself. If the fine screens in the injectors are clogged with solid debris, chemicals will not clear that. If varnish build-up is a problem, you would have to look at what kind of gas you are using. The best place I have heard of people using these products is to clean the throttle blade and intake manifold runners. That can cure a stumble or hesitation on some engine models. We used to see stalling caused by low idle speed, and that was caused by carbon build-up plugging an air passage where fuel never was found, but we have not seen that problem on those same engines for over twenty years, thanks to the better additives.

I have not heard of cleaning products causing a problem when they a're used properly. I never used anything on my old 1988 Grand Caravan, and that only stopped running at 420,000 miles after pulling a huge tandem-axle enclosed trailer for fifteen years, and rusting apart so badly, the carpet was the only thing holding the front and rear together. I had not changed the oil in over fourteen years, the transmission fluid and filter were replaced once in the vehicle's life, and it got very little preventive maintenance. It ran and shifted perfectly until the day it became too rusty to drive safely. What does that say about newer vehicles that require all kinds of care and upkeep to keep them running okay?
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Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
JANNN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hello Caradiodoc,

I've owned many cars, US: Pontiac parisienne, 70 olds cutlass, German: 88 Jetta, 80 rabbit, Asian: Honda civic, Mazda protégé and now Accent. Took a chance on this new 2008 GLS Accent 4 door with AC off coarse paid $16,000 including tax, replaced all belts, brakes, coolant, plugs, battery and used all amsoil synthetic oil 5w20, fluids and filters. Petro Canada supplies 87, 89, 91 and 94 utra octain which I mostly use 91 because it has bit more detergent.
After 9 years and 150,000k, no surprises, no electrical or check engine problems, easy city drive, easy parking and no blind spots.

Oh yes I got rear ended by a young man not focused in a F150 pickup causing $3500 damage and was surprised at how well this little accent absorbed the shock. Yes its tight for a large driver, but for me at 165 lbs and 69 years old and shrinking its just right. Anyhow I'll see how this seafoam works after driving 10 hrs north of the beautiful, pristine Great Lakes from Toronto to catch some real wild fresh water fish.

And finally may I say one thing in common these cars have is combustion another word for fire which man used for profit and power without any concern for the planet. Instead of using electric power from nature for transportation and heat 100 years ago man was blinded by greed and is now trying to change. As you said info is all over the internet which will enlighten mankind to the truth, unfortunately I'm not sure if its not to late.
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Friday, September 8th, 2017 AT 11:20 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
If you're referring to "climate change", don't obsess over it. Scientists have determined temperatures are rising on Mars, and there aren't very many power plants and cars there. Global warming, or cooling, depending on who you listen to, is promoted by a consensus of researchers. Consensus is not science. Was a time when the consensus was the world was flat, and disbelievers were scorned and laughed at. We have better things to worry about.
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Saturday, September 9th, 2017 AT 11:23 PM

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