How to use Seafoam on om617 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sev · #1 12-23-2009, 02:50 AM

guys, simple question, other than putting some seafoam in the gas tank, which vacuum tube in the engine bay do you stick into the can of seafoam? i'm guessing the one at the back of the IP, which i think has two tubes sticking out of it. which of those two tubes if that one? i usually let it suck about a shot or less at a time otherwise it stalls out

nickofoxford · #2 12-23-2009, 03:43 AM

woahhh. feeding any vacuum line seafoam on a 617 is going to send the seafoam straight to your crankcase.

compu_85 · #3 12-23-2009, 07:53 AM

Seafoam isn't for diesels really....

-Jason

LUVMBDiesels · #4 12-23-2009, 08:29 AM

Use LubroMoly Diesel Purge and search for instructions on how to do a proper purge. Basically you put two cans of DP in a jar then stick both the fuel lines (intake and return) in the jar and then run the car on 100% DP until it is almost gone. If you let it run out you will have manually prime the system which is a PITA

You reconnect the fuel lines and then pour the remaining DP - if it is not too black in the tank...

I only use seafoam on my carbed Jeep CJ

bmwpowere36m3 · #5 12-23-2009, 08:55 AM

For one siphoning Seafoam thru a vacuum line on your diesel won't accomplish anything other than diluting the engine oil. Second, Seafoam isn't all that it's cracked up to be (mainly light oil and little solvent). I'll post back an informative piece about injector cleaners, basically you want something that is POA-based (i.e. Gumout Regime, Techron, Redline xxx). In the end the best thing is to invest in having your injectors cleaned and balanced.

C Sean Watts · #6 12-23-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwpowere36m3

For one siphoning Seafoam thru a vacuum line on your diesel won't accomplish anything other than diluting the engine oil. Second, Seafoam isn't all that it's cracked up to be (mainly light oil and little solvent). I'll post back an informative piece about injector cleaners, basically you want something that is POA-based (i.e. Gumout Regime, Techron, Redline xxx). In the end the best thing is to invest in having your injectors cleaned and balanced.

"Magic in a bottle" is a rare thing. With the exception of radiator sealer maybe getting you home when you're stuck leaking coolant, most of those things are marginal.

BUT, with your name - and don't get me wrong, the wife drives an e36 - the kids over at 'bimmerfest' who are true believers in Sea Foam, taking off the fan for 'more power' and their own personal choice of motor oil (since it's FACT that any other oil will blow your motor, make your parents kick you out of the room over the garage and make your girlfriend cheat on you) they must not like to hear the truth about magic in a bottle.

leathermang · #7 12-23-2009, 09:49 AM

I do think that Diesel Purge helped on my two MB's... but I did not disconnect anything..
I had the tank down to almost empty and added what DP did not fit into the screw on filter...... I put a new screw on filter on filled first with the DP... and I drove it around as long as I could before I diluted it all with new diesel....this makes is very unlikely you will have to prime anything to get the air out...
I have had serious success on a few cars using Trans-X... and others report that too... it is not snake oil effect to put a varnish dissolver into a place where a small build up of varnish over the years can affect the performance of the machine...in this case the little holes in the valve body of an auto trans....

bmwpowere36m3 · #8 12-23-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Sean Watts

"Magic in a bottle" is a rare thing. With the exception of radiator sealer maybe getting you home when you're stuck leaking coolant, most of those things are marginal.

BUT, with your name - and don't get me wrong, the wife drives an e36 - the kids over at 'bimmerfest' who are true believers in Sea Foam, taking off the fan for 'more power' and their own personal choice of motor oil (since it's FACT that any other oil will blow your motor, make your parents kick you out of the room over the garage and make your girlfriend cheat on you) they must not like to hear the truth about magic in a bottle.

I believe in running quality fuel all the time and running an injector cleaner once an oil change, just to keep things tidy. Also running the engine hard and hot on a regular basis keeps it clean. The biggest improvement I noticed was sending out my injectors to be cleaned and balanced.

OT, I also don't care for the "trends" of the growing BMW community (E36, E46 = cheap cars these days = young drivers, questionable mods, and stupidity... Import-like scene). I prefer to stick to bimmerforums and M3forum.

Diesel911 · #9 12-23-2009, 11:00 AM

Using the Intake Manifold Vacuum to suck something like SeaFoam in is for Gasoline Engines.
You 617 has no intake Manifold Vacuum unless you have an older one that has a Butterfly Valve in it for use with a Fuel Injection Pump with a Pneumatic Governor.

If you did manage to get it in to through the intake manifold you Engine would run away on it or maybe suffer a hydraulic lock; and becaues it is not going through the Injectors it would not do anything to clean them.

Also similar to using Starting Fluid; combustion would be start at time and place it is not supposed to.

okyoureabeast · #10 12-23-2009, 11:20 AM

I remember someone who said that he dumped seafoam into the crankcase and had a run away. Could have sworn it was some one on this forum.

Have you considered doing a diesel purge?

71inka02 · #11 12-23-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwpowere36m3

I believe in running quality fuel all the time and running an injector cleaner once an oil change, just to keep things tidy. Also running the engine hard and hot on a regular basis keeps it clean. The biggest improvement I noticed was sending out my injectors to be cleaned and balanced.

OT, I also don't care for the "trends" of the growing BMW community (E36, E46 = cheap cars these days = young drivers, questionable mods, and stupidity... Import-like scene). I prefer to stick to bimmerforums and M3forum.

bmwpowere36m3 - I too am 'old school' BMW, and a loyal CCA member for over 23yrs...notice my screen name. But sadly, as many automobile manufacturers drifted away from building the cars they originally set out designing and building BMW lost me in the mid 90's - as they did many 'old school' loyal owners....especially when they introduced 'I-drive' -- The BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover, etc, etc., manufacturers now design and build to appeal to the masses, the soccer moms and the country club snobs -- While performance is still a driving factor, it's not the key factor in design...Engineers have lost influence and all is driven by the 'marketing' groups....It's all simply big corporate business now -- Don't get me wrong, I support and make a living from the 'corporate' world......

But when it comes to cars - I still enjoy the 'old school' stuff. A car that allows you to feel the road, and enjoy the passion and thrill from driving - Something easy to maintain and work on...some weekend wrench turning is needed therapy for many...

I have newer cars in my fleet, but I have made the conscience decision to to remain 'old school', and choose a W123 for my daily driver, and never feel regret or get discouraged - I've been fortunate in my career, and could be driving a new whatever if I choose.......But I don't need or want it....I get grief and comments from friends and neighbors as to my old loud, smelly, slow, smoking W123........But who cares - It's the passion for me that's important, and I do so enjoy hitting the roads and stretching the legs of my turbo diesel....

Diesel on my brothers.........

LUVMBDiesels · #12 12-23-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71inka02

bmwpowere36m3 - I too am 'old school' BMW, and a loyal CCA member for over 23yrs...notice my screen name. But sadly, as many automobile manufacturers drifted away from building the cars they originally set out designing and building BMW lost me in the mid 90's - as they did many 'old school' loyal owners....especially when they introduced 'I-drive' -- The BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover, etc, etc., manufacturers now design and build to appeal to the masses, the soccer moms and the country club snobs -- While performance is still a driving factor, it's not the key factor in design...Engineers have lost influence and all is driven by the 'marketing' groups....It's all simply big corporate business now -- Don't get me wrong, I support and make a living from the 'corporate' world......

But when it comes to cars - I still enjoy the 'old school' stuff. A car that allows you to feel the road, and enjoy the passion and thrill from driving - Something easy to maintain and work on...some weekend wrench turning is needed therapy for many...

I have newer cars in my fleet, but I have made the conscience decision to to remain 'old school', and choose a W123 for my daily driver, and never feel regret or get discouraged - I've been fortunate in my career, and could be driving a new whatever if I choose.......But I don't need or want it....I get grief and comments from friends and neighbors as to my old loud, smelly, slow, smoking W123........But who cares - It's the passion for me that's important, and I do so enjoy hitting the roads and stretching the legs of my turbo diesel....

Diesel on my brothers.........

I agree with you 100% Notice MY BMW is a 1984

BMW lost its way years ago and while the cars are fast, they are not exciting in the way the older ones are. Too many gadgets, stability control, ABS, Traction control and

CUP HOLDERS

ruined them - add in the Banglization of the product line and you might as well be driving a Honda.

Back on topic, as I said, I ran Seafoam through my 1974 Jeep when I got her. I poured a bit down the carb throat at a time getting about 3/4 of a can into her then I poured in enough to stall it. I let it sit for half an hour and started her up. The carbon coming off the cylinders smelled like BBQ!

I use Techcron injector cleaner in the gas tank of the Suburban and the BMW probably 4 times a year.

The SDL has only had one DP treatment as he gets highway driven around 1000 miles a week...

71inka02 · #13 12-23-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

I agree with you 100% Notice MY BMW is a 1984

BMW lost its way years ago and while the cars are fast, they are not exciting in the way the older ones are. Too many gadgets, stability control, ABS, Traction control and

CUP HOLDERS

ruined them - add in the Banglization of the product line and you might as well be driving a Honda.

Back on topic, as I said, I ran Seafoam through my 1974 Jeep when I got her. I poured a bit down the carb throat at a time getting about 3/4 of a can into her then I poured in enough to stall it. I let it sit for half an hour and started her up. The carbon coming off the cylinders smelled like BBQ!

I use Techcron injector cleaner in the gas tank of the Suburban and the BMW probably 4 times a year.

The SDL has only had one DP treatment as he gets highway driven around 1000 miles a week...

Now I do admit -- Having cup holders is actually really nice...I'm a Starbucks addict, and have had several close calls with the hot cup of coffee being placed and held in my lap between my legs....

NOW back to Seafoam, which I forgot to mention in last post....I'm a loyal Land Rover dude, and my dealer recommends Seafoam in the fuel tank once every 3 months to help keep carbon deposits from developing on the valves....I do use it in my Rover - Whether it works or not....don't really know.

tbomachines · #14 12-23-2009, 01:23 PM

I've used seafoam on my OM617 before, same procedure as diesel purge and it works like a charm. I would never feed it into a vacuum line like on a gas car though, thats a sure way to ruin something.

Hit Man X · #15 12-23-2009, 08:58 PM

SeaFoam is made up mostly of water and other petroleum crap from the refining process. I do not even use it on domestic vehicles.

Check out bobistheoilguy.com for the info on what exactly is in it... which is not much.