Seafoam questions...
 

So. I own a 2006 Mazda RX8.. It has 118000 mileage on original engine. Just today i took it into my local Mazda dealer for a compression test.. Dealer said normal new engines run at 9-10 compression. Mines running at 6.5. And Ive noticed the lose of power:uhh:.. So I was reading around and the dealer suggested this.. The seafoam technique. Unplug the required stuff. ect,ect,ect.. Pump sea foam into vacuum ports Ive watched the videos of people doing it and I get the concept. But my main concern is.. How is this going to effect my engine? Is it bullshit? Does it actually work in clearing the carbon buildup? or will it just wreck my engine and fuck my compression more in the long run? Need some quick answers because I was debating on doing it tomorrow morn.. Need some help! Thanks! I don't want to hear people saying "waste of money" either.. Because frankly. It was $15 dollars.. Not a big deal. But if i use it on my engine and it fucks up the seals and shit. That's $7000 dollars for a new engine and installation... Not trying to go through that..

Search, it's been covered a bagillion times here and it's a huge waste of time.

I've heard its a waste. Ive heard it works. But im just not trying to destroy my engine. Have you tried it before? And if so, what did it do for you.. Is it better using in the gas tank? because ive seen post about the mazda zoom zoom shit, and people are saying that the seafoam is the same if not better than the dealership sold crap.

It's not going to hurt anything as long as you follow procedure, but it will probably not do anything either. The Mazda stuff is generally considered better (haven't used it myself), but neither is going to get you back into 9s.

May as well go for it. If it gives you an extra 0.1 of compression that's 0.1 you didn't have before.

There is a thread from a few years back by RWWIP where he compared the effects of SeaFoam and distilled water. About the same, but the water is not $15 for a can.

Thanks for the info guys! Just trying to get my Rx8 back into top condition!

The only way the treatment helps is, if your compression loss is due to one or more of the seal springs being gunked up with carbon, and the water/cleaner/methanol/whatever happens to steam enough gunk out of the springs, your compression can improve. But it's a long shot, and the treatment rarely improves things.

I have tried and I have seen the inside of an engine of a local member and Mazda tech who did the Zoom Zoom cleaner twice a year. His engine was as carboned up as the many others I have seen torn apart, including my own engine. Carbon is mostly from gas. I run a SOHN adapter and parts of my rotors were carbon free where the clean oil was being injected but the seals had just as much carbon on them as other well maintained engines that I have seen apart.

But either way, when you tear an engine apart you will understand the amount of gunk that accumulates and how hard it is to clean up with heavy parts cleaner, wire brushes, and a sand blaster. Once you experience that you will comprehend how silly it is to think a few ounces of zoom zoom spray is going to do anything meaningful to eliminate carbon build up.

But look at an engine that suffered from an internal coolant seal leak and you will see just how well steam and pressure works to clean off carbon. But using water to clean is dangerous in itself and too much of a risk IMO. Personally I just change my oil often and use the SOHN to inject clean 2 stroke. We shall see how this engine looks when it fails.

I completely agree. We own a sports car that relies on clean oil. So change your oil often. On my Series ][ I simply change my oil every 1000 miles and filter every 3000 miles.