Seafoam: Does it do what people commonly believe or is it liquid malarkey ?

Question

On the topic of Seafoam (the magic automotive elixir), you can read rave reviews of it and watch videos of it on YouTube, etc.

Some guy removes some vacuum tube or the like, and lets his car drink a whole bunch of Seafoam. He turns off the engine and gives it some time to work its magic. He comes back, fires up his ride, and smoke comes blasting out of the exhaust.

Then everybody comments about how that smoke is all 'bad' stuff, and how the car in question is now far better off for being rid of it. A whole bunch of stories ensue - guys adding their own Seafoam stories and how much 'bad' stuff Seafoam removed from their cars: the assumption being that the amount of smoke is congruent with the amount of 'bad' stuff that the Seafoam has exorcised.

Now I read and watch that stuff and a question pops into my head:

Why must it be that the smoke is evidence of 'bad' stuff exiting through the exhaust ? Aside from statements like "I did it and it made a big difference", what evidence is there to suggest that it is not just a smoke show in a can ? Take a new car right as it comes off the line - zero miles on it - would you bet the ranch that it wouldn't kick out a ton of smoke ?

Has anyone ever tested the smoke to find out what it really contains ?

Answer 1

Other inquiring minds interested in the answer to this one... I've tried seafoam as a fuel additive to clean my carburetor... not sure it did much.

Answer 2

I cannot be specific as to the efficacy of Seafoam, having never used it, but a chemical additive dripped down the throttle body (air intake) of a running engine, when mixed with a gasoline additive,can have a powerful effect on the engine's performance and overall "health".

Is the tailpipe effluvia white and stinky? That is carbon deposits, varnish, oxydized metal, etc. being burned out of the engine by the chemicals. What chemicals? I haven't the slightest idea. Ask a chemist.I am but a lowly Service Manager. I don't even know how my cell phone works.

All I know is that it DOES work. You see my point?

A new car "off the line" would not have a significant amount of carbon deposits in the engine. There is nothing to clean. So yes, I would bet the ranch.

My shop uses BG products, so, again, I have no experience to guide me in my opinion of Seafoam. I will, however, say that any product that cleans carbon deposits from valves, pistons, etc. cannot be anything but salubrious for a gasoline engine.

Answer 3

too long I cant read all this.