Seafoam! Where to use it?
 

Hey All! I'm new to the forums, and new to the rotary scene! I just picked up an 87 RX-7 Turbo. The vehicle has been sitting for a few years and could use a good tune up. Luckily for me the compression looks good.

I plan to replace a bunch of the general maintenance parts, but before I start replacing things I want to go ahead and run Seafoam through the vehicle it's self. Makes more sense to foul the already mediocre spark plugs and then replace them. I plan to add it to the gas tank, but I also want to run it elsewhere to ensure everything gets clean. Where all do you guys recommend I add it?

I've been searching through the forum and some people talk about adding it to the vacuum lines and oil. If I was going to do that which lines should I add it to and why?

I think I'm going to skip putting it in the oil unless it allows me to clean out the oil injectors.

:nod:

Add it to the garbage can in your garage.

If it has been sitting for a few years, then no snake oil purchased at a parts store will do much.

The entire fuel system needs to be drained drained and flushed. Filters should be replaced, fuel pump probably replaced, injectors cleaned and tested at an injection shop.

All you need to do with the engine is put a few ounces of oil into each chamber and roll it over by hand a few times.

Once running follow breakin procedures.

I cannot stress how important it is to overhaul the fuel system.

Not an expert by any qualification, but my anecdotal experience is just this.

The one I bought that had been sat unused for a number of years, the inside of the fuel tank was full of rust, the fuel pump rusted up, and the injectors absolutely seized. If its been left with an empty or half full fuel tank then thats a recipe for condensation and rust, so definetely inspect it.

This is what mine looked like:

I wouldn't recommend using it. After I used a can through the vacuum line, my FC never started or ran the same. Found the compression on two faces of the rear rotor to be low. Of course, I don't know if it really was the cause of the issues or it was just a coincidence...

You heard it right from the source, but incase you wanted more details, there's a lot of helpful information here :biggrin:

http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/unstore.htm

Look for the Section on the above page about removing a car from storage that was improperly stored.

Before anybody reads what I've typed below, I'd like to first say I don't work for Seafoam. I have nothing to gain from any of this. I have however used this product quite a bit and I've seen it used incorrectly and this is what I've learned:

Seafoam isn't snake oil, it's fogging oil. It is a penetrant and burns hotter than gasoline. It is intended to clean and break down carbon deposits. Don't believe me? Pour some on a dirty old rotor, piston, combustion chamber, etc. Watch what it does.

I can't stress enough how important it is to follow the directions on the container.

I personally think the method of drawing it into the intake under high revs is ill advised. This is a great way to hydrolock a piston engine, which is unlikely to ever happen on a rotary engine thanks to excessive blowby. However, it's never really a good idea to try to make your engine compress a liquid. Damage is always a possibility.

From what I've seen in the past regarding seafoam, most complaints about issues had after using it were likely preexisting issues that were made worse by its use, or more likely by not following the instructions correctly. It is not advertised correctly; it will not fix your old tired engine, or your old gummed up fuel system. The video below shows what it does inside your engine. I am not Chrisfix. I am not here to endorse Chrisfix. I am not here to endorse seafoam. Use this information wisely and at your own risk. People have claimed this fluid ruined their engine. Others have claimed it fixed minor running issues. Do some research and decide for your self.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6UeJ

why, when a gallon of water costs a few pennies and works better....

it also doesn't freak people out by seeing huge smoke clouds form above you.

From personal experience; I like SeaFoam - But it is not a short cut to proper maintenance. As Aaron Cake mentions, if you car has sat for a long time you have some work to do.

My FB had sat for several years in someones garage. I cleaned the gas tank, replaced fuel pump, filter, lines and rebuilt the carb etc.

But I still had issues with a slight hesitation under light throttle and I tried everything to fix it. My last resort (before rebuilding the carb...again) was a couple of tanks of gas with SeaFoam added.

Could be a coincidence but the problem is fixed.

I am assuming there was some gum or varnish or a clog somewhere that the SeaFoam helped dissolve.

Just my 2c