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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > How much Seafoam for N54



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      09-03-2011, 03:03 AM   #1
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How much Seafoam for N54

I heard the valves on N54s get extremely dirty with carbon buildup and I wanted to use seafoam to clean it out. I was just wondering how much to use through the vacuum line.
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      09-03-2011, 03:31 AM   #2
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You will get a better and safer result if you do a manual clean of the intake valves
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      09-03-2011, 03:42 AM   #3
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I dont have the time to do that kind of cleaning, wat do you mean by safer. Is seafoam not safe? Does anyone know how much to put in?
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      09-03-2011, 03:44 AM   #4
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Safer meaning that the carbon deposits are run thru the engine and if a chunk flys off some where and gets lodged on say ...a valve stem..your gonna have major problems

and it doesnt fully clean like a manual clean will
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      09-03-2011, 03:45 AM   #5
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Half a bottle. Use the other half in the gas tank.
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      09-03-2011, 03:46 AM   #6
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and you just rev it while the vacuum hose that normally goes to the BOV is sucking up seafoam. Is that correct?
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      09-03-2011, 03:48 AM   #7
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Not necessarily. You could have someone hold the RPM's at 1200 or do sip sip slurp method, basically just feeding enough seafoam before the engine would stall.
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      09-03-2011, 03:50 AM   #8
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wat is the risk when using the seafoam?
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      09-03-2011, 03:51 AM   #9
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"Safer meaning that the carbon deposits are run thru the engine and if a chunk flys off some where and gets lodged on say ...a valve stem..your gonna have major problems"

Not likely though. I've done it many times without issues. I am not responsible for you results however.
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      09-03-2011, 03:53 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy J View Post
I am not responsible for you results however.
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      09-03-2011, 04:10 AM   #11
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alright, could carbon buildup in the valves cause power loss. Cause lately i'd floor the car and when im in somewhat high rpms in 3rd or 4th i just feel like the power is gone, it feels like it drastically cuts the power, is this from carbon buildup or are the turbos just getting hot?
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      09-03-2011, 05:13 AM   #12
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Take it easy with Seafoam, I have seen two engines "let go" because of this stuff. I posted this in a thread a little while about Seafoam and everybody said I was crazy but believe me it happened. The first time was when the Seafoam sales rep come around our shop to do a demo, so we let him do it on my brothers Yukon 20 minutes later knock, knock knock. The next time was done by a shop down the street (i cant remember what kind of car) and the same results. I know a lot of people use it without issue but not me.
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      09-03-2011, 06:49 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J02 335i View Post
Take it easy with Seafoam, I have seen two engines "let go" because of this stuff. I posted this in a thread a little while about Seafoam and everybody said I was crazy but believe me it happened. The first time was when the Seafoam sales rep come around our shop to do a demo, so we let him do it on my brothers Yukon 20 minutes later knock, knock knock. The next time was done by a shop down the street (i cant remember what kind of car) and the same results. I know a lot of people use it without issue but not me.
I am not a big fan of the stuff either, any solvent will loosen the deposits if you are doing it by hand, If you are going to run something through the tank I would use Chevron Techron, just plan on changing your oil after your next tank of gas is gone
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      09-03-2011, 07:03 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregxi View Post
I am not a big fan of the stuff either, any solvent will loosen the deposits if you are doing it by hand, If you are going to run something through the tank I would use Chevron Techron, just plan on changing your oil after your next tank of gas is gone
For seafoam, yes, but if you use chevron techron, you do not have to change the oil. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=492475
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      09-03-2011, 01:25 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregxi View Post
I am not a big fan of the stuff either, any solvent will loosen the deposits if you are doing it by hand, If you are going to run something through the tank I would use Chevron Techron, just plan on changing your oil after your next tank of gas is gone
+1. Seafoam is (at least for auto engines) a last resort for a tired engine. If you haven't seen it work, check out some youtube videos. I rna it through my old Volvo S70t5a and no ill effects, but the smoke is horrific and the car will often backfire and run like a mess for an hour. Unless your car is sick and old, it's not worth the risk. No one will cover it if your eats something. . .
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      09-03-2011, 01:40 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J02 335i View Post
Take it easy with Seafoam, I have seen two engines "let go" because of this stuff. I posted this in a thread a little while about Seafoam and everybody said I was crazy but believe me it happened. The first time was when the Seafoam sales rep come around our shop to do a demo, so we let him do it on my brothers Yukon 20 minutes later knock, knock knock. The next time was done by a shop down the street (i cant remember what kind of car) and the same results. I know a lot of people use it without issue but not me.
You try to advise people but it just falls on deaf ears ..I have heard many similar stories..these quickie snake oil type fixes are not comparable to a proper manual clean..
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      09-03-2011, 07:56 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tibra1 View Post
You try to advise people but it just falls on deaf ears ..I have heard many similar stories..these quickie snake oil type fixes are not comparable to a proper manual clean..
I hear ya on that one, I've never heard of too many "fix it all in a bottle" working very well.
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      09-03-2011, 08:00 PM   #18
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My borescope is "in the mail".
I am a bit nervous at what I'll find when I use it to peer into the innards of my N54. If it looks a mess, I'm going to have to go in and do something about it--royal pain in the ass. But I couldn't leave it alone in that state.
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      09-03-2011, 11:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sahyoun View Post
I heard the valves on N54s get extremely dirty with carbon buildup and I wanted to use seafoam to clean it out. I was just wondering how much to use through the vacuum line.
None
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      09-04-2011, 07:07 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chriztofor View Post
For seafoam, yes, but if you use chevron techron, you do not have to change the oil. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=492475
Actually I use Yamaha Ring free which is A much more concentrated version of Chevron Techron. I have used it since the mid 90's and have always changed the oil within 500 miles of use which is what my Yamaha service rep recommended.
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      09-04-2011, 10:22 AM   #21
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A proper physical, manual cleaning is the only thing that will make a real difference. The Seafoam won't do much of anything, except burn and fire out the exhaust.
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      09-04-2011, 10:50 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregxi View Post
If you are going to run something through the tank I would use Chevron Techron, just plan on changing your oil after your next tank of gas is gone
OP has an N54 with direct injection and a fuel tank additive is not going to clean any valves at all.
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