Scary Seafoam induction

[AV8R4AA]

I just had the valve stem seals surgery completed.
I never had a big oil burn cloud. It puffed like Alexander Graham Bell
calling out " Watson, can you hear me?"

After a prolonged idle, then a aggressive throttle punch, it would puff a little smoke.

The oil consumption was never more than a few ounces.

I decided to do a Seafoam induction system spray decarbonization.

I watched the video, set up the apparatus correctly and let her rip.

My beautiful wife was my throttle jockey. She kept the RPM between, 1700
and 2000.

I let the engine soak after the can was empty for 15 minutes.
I went for a spirited drive, smoke was pouring out the 4 pipes.

It was so thick, another driver pulled up and asked if my X5 was okay.
I told him, I used an engine cleaner and planned on a night mission.

The engine bogged down and the CEL lit up.
Engine was running poorly, low on power and I felt I had just ruined
my engine.
Today I started up the 4.4i engine and the CEL was out. The engine was running
much smoother, and had a lot more power.

If I were to do this again, I would increase the RPM to 2500.
So as to get more vaccine sucking in the fluid.

The N62 has very low intake vacuum.

Runs great now, thought I toasted my engine.

[electricalserv x5]

Check this out , I just replaced my ISM or IVM and it really made a big difference , It's for N62 engine.IVM Replacement / Troubleshooting - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[crystalworks]

Seafoam can definitely be a scary experience. I've done 10+ treatments by now so I'm never surprised by what comes out of the exhaust anymore. Hah, I've smoke clouded my entire neighborhood before.

And hitting that first turn out of the neighborhood onto an access road... James Bond would envy the smokescreen laid out sometimes. The way I look at it... the more crap that comes out of the tail pipes, is less crap that still sitting on my valves, pistons, and throughout the exhaust.

[TiAgX5]

I choose to be proactive in keeping carbon deposits in check, 10oz of Lucas Upper Cylinder Lube with every fuel fill up.

This stuff lubes/de-carbons/cushions everything it contacts. Fuel pump, injector pintles & seats, valves (guides, stems & seats), combustion chambers, pistons & rings, cyl walls.....

Over 200k miles and I see over 19 mpg/450 miles per tank city driving the DFW area.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I choose to be proactive in keeping carbon deposits in check, 10oz of Lucas Upper Cylinder Lube with every fuel fill up.

This stuff lubes/de-carbons/cushions everything it contacts. Fuel pump, injector pintles & seats, valves (guides, stems & seats), combustion chambers, pistons & rings, cyl walls.....

Over 200k miles and I see over 19 mpg/450 miles per tank city driving the DFW area.

I think that's an excellent policy. Unfortunately, some of us (probably most of us) have to clear out what the previous owners have left in there for us.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I think that's an excellent policy. Unfortunately, some of us (probably most of us) have to clear out what the previous owners have left in there for us.

Good point.

I considered the Seafoam treatment when I purchased the X with 100k miles, chose the Lucas route to gradually break-up deposits over several tanks of fuel.

[Awntchi]

Guys, i need to do this to my X but which one should I go for considering it would be the first time? It seems the Seafoam is more powerful or is that wrong? Lucas vs Seafoam?

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[StephenVA]

There are a ton of these products (mechanic in a can) on the market. Of the lot, these two do exactly what is written on the can.

One of the issues that pops up when you decarbon piston tops/intake valves/ combustion chambers is that once that stuff starts flying around, it can land on plugs and cause a fouling condition, felt as an engine miss. That is why you should always run the vehicle HARD for 20-30 mins after treatment. Gets the plugs hot, which will burn off the loosened materials, and will allows a clean out of the chamber itself. Poor quality fuels, extended idling and short trips accelerate the build up.

A good old hard romp for 15-30 mins every once in awhile helps stop this stuff from forming in the first place. Commonly referred to as an "Italian Tune up", as cars from the '60 and '70's from Italy were notoriously over carbed to make hi RPM performance, but ran WAY too rich at part throttle and idle. Too much unburned fuel causes carbon build up that requires a spirited wide open throttle run weekly to clear the plugs. This means it is good to run our little SAV beasts hard once in awhile.

[srmmmm]

I would probably go the Lucas route as Ti has done to avoid overloading the cats, risking a blockage. I've stuck with just using Shell gasoline and easily get 120,000 miles on plugs, went 260,000 miles on O2 sensors and am still on original cats.

2002 X5 3.0 311,000 miles
2014 428i 22,000 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

... Commonly referred to as an "Italian Tune up", as cars from the '60 and '70's from Italy were notoriously over carbed to make hi RPM performance, but ran WAY too rich at part throttle and idle....

Thanks for the explanation. I had never known why the "Italian." Figured it was more of an attitude thing, but nice to know there is some logic behind it. BTW my first car was a '79 FIAT Spider and I tuned that thing up every day whether it needed it or not.