Seafoam or Chemtool?

[Lamarth]

I've noticed in the past few years that on every oil change on my 2001 Firebird (V6) that the time it takes the oil to go from clean to black is shorter and shorter, until my last change last month when I drained the oil, changed out the filter, replaced the drain plug and refilled it, the oil on the dipstick was already dirty :mad:. Not black but about halfway there. The car runs fine, so I figure the bottom end is getting nasty down there.....

I've seen members on the forum say they use Seafoam - I assume you add it to the crank oil, let it idle for a half hour or so then drain/change the oil, correct? In the past (and with older cars) I've done the same with Berryman Chemtool. However I hesitate to use that on this car, worried about it attacking gasket components used on newer cars. Has anyone used Chemtool, or is Seafoam pretty much the recommended cleaner?

Thanks, all!
David

[Hib Halverson]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

I wouldn't use either until you determine if you have a problem with "sludge".

I'd pull off the right valve cover (the easiest one) and take a look at the top of the head and the underside of the cover. If there's a brown/black film but no significant sludge or glop in there, I wouldn't bother using any "mechanic in a can" products.

If you find a little sludge, you can try adding a solvent to the oil. Some old-skool types swear by Marvel Mystery Oil. Contempories in the hobby have been won over by Seafom's excellent marketing.

If you find a lot of sludge, overhaul the engine.

[Lamarth]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

What could cause the sludge (assuming that's the cause of the problem), especially if it's so bad it would warrent an engine overhaul?

[ssms5411]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

Sludge would be not changing the oil or water in the oil build up over time.

[Docta]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

What does either product do? Just clean out the engine basically?

[ssms5411]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

What does either product do? Just clean out the engine basically?

Takes the carbon build up out and cleans up the valves. Might be more I forget.

[flamingchicken]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

i have heard of transmission fluid in the crankcase, about a 4:1 ratio for about 100 miles will help clean stuff up in there. it has more detergents than motor oil.

[cam98aro]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

oh god, please dont use seafoam if your engine is that dirty.. i guarantee we will see a post from you soon asking why your engine is ticking/knocking

[unvmyrs]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

Some guys swear by trans x... but I don't have experience with seafoam but heard it works wonders on older engines.

[thebeewantsboost]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

if your motor is that bad, the sludge is probably keeping your motor from leaking. alot of the time the sludge will bandaid bad gaskets/seals.

[cam98aro]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

if you want to clean the engine out, the best thing to do is to buy some cheap oil (the cheapest you can find) and do frequent oil changes on it (like every 1000 miles)

[Heywood]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

if you want to clean the engine out, the best thing to do is to buy some cheap oil (the cheapest you can find) and do frequent oil changes on it (like every 1000 miles)

Please explain? Also, can anyone else confirm this?

[cam98aro]

Re: Seafoam or Chemtool?

Please explain? Also, can anyone else confirm this?

it will clean the engine out without removing the sludge and everything that is going to get stuck in your lifters, and cause your engine to not run right.

running seafoam in the oil is asking for a disaster.

your best best bet is to take the oil pan off and clean it out, most of the sludge will be in there and in your upper intake/valvetrain area