Did a can of Seafoam really just save me $3600?

[fivedogs]

Engines been running rough for a while, I went to the local diesel shop where they scanned it and told me that my injectors were on the way out and for only $324 an injector and $900-1100 in labor (caveat that they might find other issues while they're in there.. always ominous)

By my calculations that's $35-3700 which is a big number in my world..

So I was reading through the forums yesterday and for the life of me I can't find it again to thank whoever it was that suggested putting a can of seafoam in the fuel bowl and going for a 30 minute blast down the interstate..

Anyway I did that this morning and it's running 95% better than it was yesterday.. still spluttering when braking down hill. Is that normal?

Truck is a 2000 F250 7.3 CC
Strictly Diesel fuel regulator (set to 65 PSI at tickover) and HPX Crossover
Airdog lift pump to fuel pump to bowl (Airdog is not working right and is the loudest damn thing on the truck)

I have already ordered a set of o-rings from Bob at dieselorings.com (super service and fast shipping) and was planning to remove the injectors myself and clean the nozzles and replace the external o-rings.

Finally the questions (apologies for the waffle)
Is the seafoam just a quick fix to a more serious underlying problem?
Should I go ahead and clean the injectors/replace o-rings as planned?
Save pennies to get a set of baby swamps or something similar and leave well alone until they are purchased?

Appreciate any input about anything, thanks

[BryceB]

Originally Posted by fivedogs

still spluttering when braking down hill. Is that normal?

Does it almost sound like cylinders are turning off... hard to describe.
mine does that coasting down hills at low speeds... always has.

[fivedogs]

sort of spluttering, gurgling sort of a noise like the engine wants something..air fuel? then with a little pressure on the throttle it goes away..

[BryceB]

Originally Posted by fivedogs

sort of spluttering, gurgling sort of a noise like the engine wants something..air fuel? then with a little pressure on the throttle it goes away..

ya, that sounds like mine. Did it since new. 195,000 miles on mine and all it's needed was a UVCH and IDM for the engine since new.

[the trav]

Originally Posted by fivedogs

sort of spluttering, gurgling sort of a noise like the engine wants something..air fuel? then with a little pressure on the throttle it goes away..

mine does the old sputtery gurgly thing every time i am off the accelerator pedal slowing down with the t/c locked. its like the computer is turning the injectors off and on until the idle speed is achieved.

[BryceB]

Originally Posted by the trav

mine does the old sputtery gurgly thing every time i am off the accelerator pedal slowing down with the t/c locked. its like the computer is turning the injectors off and on until the idle speed is achieved.

ya, good description.

[fivedogs]

Trav that sounds like it.. I'll have to check on the idle RPM and see if the noise goes once it hits it on a down hill descent

[Byrd82]

A little bit about sea foam. Since I live in minnesota I stopped by sea foam and ask if I could talk to someone about there product well I ended up talking to a guy that was about my age 30 .. He said there product can help clear up injectors in gasser and in diesels but not 100%. I asked him how the lubrication worked he kinda drifted away from that and he said its a good cleaner. And that was the end of that. So then I called tousley ford talk to a tech he said that if you use sea foam on injectors that are getting gummed up (first signs ) it will help he said todo the hot soak then run the rest thru the tank (full) then when you get to about half add an additive like diesel Kleen because of the lubrication. And that's it. Also he said run an additive every other tank.


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[drunk on diesel]

Seafoam = 50% light hydrocarbon oil (pale oil);
30% petroleum naphtha;
10% isopropyl alcohol;
10% water.

no thanks

[Byrd82]

And wouldn't the alcohol in there attract more water? That's why I wouldn't use that stuff. Well may be in my parts cleaner.


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