1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

seafoam

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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 11:24 AM
  #1  
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seafoam

i put some seafoam in my tank like everybody raves about and the tank was low and ever since the car will hardly run at all. it idles crappy and will not stay running. i took the carb off and cleaned it so that slould not be the problem. if the concentrate of seafoam is to high will it make the car run like that?
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 12:53 PM
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No. You probably melted some crud in the gas tank, and fouled the fuel filter. Try a new filter...
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 01:12 PM
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Did you follow the INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CAN? If so, then you have nothing to worry about. If you didn't follow the instructions then you're outsmarting the Seafoam engineers and I'm afraid you'll have to solve your own problem.
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 01:19 PM
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i checked the filter and i'm getting plenty of fuel pressure
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 01:48 PM
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Hmm... I agree with Ken; you probably loosened up the 20 years of crap at the bottom of your tank and that is making your fuel very difficult to ignite?
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 02:14 PM
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what can i do to correct it? it's still low on gas should i fill her up with high test?
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 02:33 PM
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you did loosen up build up in the fuel tank, start from the gas tank forward. hope that helps, but, seafoam is a GREAT product! Oh, and how much gas did you have when you put in the seafoam?
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 02:34 PM
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You need to put a new fuel filter on. I know you tested the old one, and I know that you think it is okay. But for $2, you might as well put on a new filter, when there is about a 75% chance that it is causing your problems.

After you put the new filter on if you are still having problems, then I would guess you have a clogged fuel line, or else you loosened some kind of crap that went into your carb.

Try the fuel filter first though. It is VERY cheap, and fixes many of the problems common to these cars...

Jamie
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 03:00 PM
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The other possibility is that something has clogged the jets in the carb... If this is the case, you will find youself going slower the more you depress the gas pedal.
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 03:47 PM
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well i cleaned out my air bleeds and jets an everything else i could see. Not that i'm questioning your expertise but if my fuel pressure is good then my filter would be fine right? and when i hit the gas it cuts off. now i got it running before and let it sit there and idle like a cammed up 4cl and when it was warm it starting running normal but the next day when it was cold again it did the same thing not wanting to idle and cutting off that why the fuel not igniting well sounded like the ticket
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 04:25 PM
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Trust the wisdom of the forum. It's a consumable. I.E. it's designed to be tossed when dirty.

The fuel could be chemically dirty if the filter has 20+ years of gum in it.

edit: BTW do the shutter valve test to see if it's pulling air in the hole.
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 07:14 PM
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Adequate fuel pressure does not necessarily equate to adequate fuel flow. If the aperature is reduced then the pressure can be the same (or even greater!) while the fuel flow volume is reduced, much like when you put your thumb over the end of a garden hose to create a small high pressure stream that shoots further but with less flow volume. Therefore, your filter may be clogged.

Or it may be clogged closer to the engine, like in a small passage in the carb/FI by loose debris from the bad gas. Sometimes the car will simply die when you step on the gas but it may be revived by pumping the gas to shoot raw fuel into the intake, or by operating the choke.

Also, Seafoam has a radical effect on the old crap in the fuel system. It breaks loose big hunks of that crap which is probably only semi-dissolved, makes it's way to the carb/TB and CLOGS a jet or small passage. Just like placque in a humans cardiovascular system which causes a stroke or heart attack. Not good.

Which is why I prefer to use repeated applications of MMO in the gas at a top dosage of about 12 oz. per fillup, which gradually erodes away the Old Crap. But it may take a year to finish the job.

Sometimes it's good to start with a commercial gas "dryer" from the autostore, or a dilute solution (maybe 10% - 20%) of ethanol (methanol may corrode fillings and hoses) to get rid of water condensate in the tank.
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 07:54 PM
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Make sure you have spark on the leading ignition, and see how your plugs look. They may be fouled. But it still sounds like you have a clogged jet...
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 01:09 PM
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sounds like the accelerator pump circuit is plugged up

the stock fuel filter will catch the big stuff, but lets thru a huge amount of the smaller stuff. that are small enough to plug ur jets.
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 01:31 PM
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listen to the old farts on the forum (Kentetsu ) Replace the fuel filter, and have a few extra on hand. They're cheap enough to replace, and if you've plugged one, you're probably going to plug a few more. It's worth your time to replace it, because that's what your problem probably is.
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 08:22 PM
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would seafoam help clear a clogged jet ?
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 09:46 PM
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Maybe? Depending on if you can get to the jet?
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 09:48 PM
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Just put more. I doubt the gum moved past the filter. Lot of people like to add another filter before the carb. More cleaner should do it. I like old school Gumout Carb cleaner spray little taste... wait a few sec.. nother taste.. wait.. etc.

Have your extinguisher handy.
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Old Feb 16, 2008 | 03:46 AM
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Change the filter then report back to us. This is a common problem with clogged filters.
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Old Feb 16, 2008 | 01:09 PM
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thanks for all the help i'll be getting to it this week end then i'll let you know
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