Like a lot of members here, I have had problems starting my car when very cold outside or rainy weather but no problem when dry and warm. Yesterday I bought some Seafoam and put it in the gas tank. Drove it around for 20min. This morning, was 35 degrees and pouring. Car started on first crank. This hasn't happened once with the rain or cold weather here in So. Cal. So, I figured at night, after sitting all day, if it does start right away again, I would post this question to the forum. It did! So, has the Seafoam done something to help clean out something or give me better ignition somehow? I did not put anything into the oil or the manifold like it recommends (I didn't know you could do this yet). Does this indicate another potential issue with this '91 300E?

Thanks.....Steve

steve, do a search on my post regarding seafoam.

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

Found it. Thanks. Did you do this with the vacuum line yourself in your car? Any noticeable difference? Snakeoil?

Steve

What exactly does seafoam do?

__________________
1989 300E 144K

the seafoam was great at cleaning out the intake and all the carbon build up. I posted my results from my smog check. huge difference, idle was smoother, acceleration was better. all around good stuff.

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

did you just pour it in the gas tank?

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

I poured it in the gas tank (and I still do it at least once a month), I poured it in the oil crankshaft (1-2 days before I change my oil), and I poured some in my brake booster line with the engine running (once every 4 months or so). I usually do that [brake booster] at night in a secluded area so that I can remain anonymous..... ..... just kidding, it gets really smokey once it starts going through your system and so it helps to be out in the open in a secluded lot.

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

I just poured it all into my gas tank not knowing you could do everything else with it. My cold weather first starting has not failed yet. I will get another can next time and do the oil treatment. Not so sure I want to smoke everything up yet Someone I work with also told me to be out in the open somewhere if you do the vacuum line treatment or I'll get stoned

Just wanted to mention that I don't believe you need to pour the entire can in the gas tank. I only use about half or less.....maybe a third or so. I don't believe any adverse effects will occur for using the full can though. I have heard that the seafoam causes oil to thin or become dirtier faster because it cleans the crankshaft and the I guess you need to change at a more frequent interval, got that info from the guys on the forum....the people that make seafoam told me I could use it either before an oil change or after the oil change and I would not need to change my oil more frequently. So, I chose to still do it right before the oil change, let it do its thing, then, change it within the next day or 2. The guys on the forum are really intelligent and though the company says I can do either or, I see more of the logic as doing it right before the oil change so I don't leave the slightest bit of room for error.

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

I would caution against using seafoam in your crankcase. In your fuel to clean carbs, injectors, etc. I would think its ok- I use it in my snowblower and lawnmower every season and its OK. There are ALOT of petroleum distillates out there which can be used to "clean" or dissolve combustion chamber "deposits" but anything that thins or otherwise breaks down the viscosity or lubricity of your intended lubricants- I'm thinking is a bad idea.

Back in the 80s- yeesh- long time ago!, there was some "stuff" that was recommended to be added before oil changes. It was supposed to be added to the oil, the engine was run till warm, and then drained to help remove oil "deposits." Well, I haven't seen it around for a while, but the mechanics at the shop said it was "great" because of the number of re-ring jobs and valve guide replacements they got to do because of the damage it did. By effectively lowering the viscosity and lubricity of the oil, it certainly removed "sludge" but because the motor was running- damage was done to the rings, cylinder walls and valve guides- causing oil to leak into the combustion chamer, burn and cause... smoke and low compression. I just change my oil regularly and trust the engineers who blend the oil. Having rebuilt several skanky carbs (30 year old yamaha) and cleaning them with seafoam and other carb "cleaners" I think they do a good job in that capacity though...

has anyone used marvel mystery oil,you can pour it right down the intake air sensor and let it sit in the valve bowls it works well at lubricating the upper cylinders and has a unique way of cleaning out carbon deposits,you can also add it to the fuel tank.do you think sea foam works better?

__________________
enjoy life,take the coal that is handed to you and turn it into diamonds. { PHILLIPIANS 4:13}

I have used Marvel Mystery Oil in my cars for years without problems. I add it to the oil and fuel. Cars run fine.

I'm not a big fan of using anything in my Benz with the word mystery in it.

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

Just an update. My cold start problem has not returned since I ran the can of Seafoam through my gas tank. It starts everytime on first crank hot or cold and gets to normal idle quickly. Of course, I have previously replaced all fuel related components so this must have loosened something up that was causing the tough cold starts and chugging until warm. Wish I knew what it actually did to improve the issue.

Just F.Y.I. Subaru regularly use a derivation of Seafoam when servicing their cars.
Suby engines hate sludge - (never buy a Subaru without a filled in service record).
You can or could buy the Subaru version at their dealerships - at least in my country you can.