sea foaming - Honda Prelude Forum

kleun28 · 08-15-2010, 04:34 PM

I have decided to try addressing my idling issue by sea foaming my engine.
I was wondering which vaccum line I should use,

Anyone who has tried it feel free to leave an input on do's and don'ts

Thanks

H22Discorrd · 08-15-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kleun28

I have decided to try addressing my idling issue by sea foaming my engine.
I was wondering which vaccum line I should use,

Anyone who has tried it feel free to leave an input on do's and don'ts

Thanks

I just used the nice big thick one that goes straight to the intake. This one runs to the right of the intake manifold if you're looking into your engine bay from the front, with the headlights facing you directly.

Can I ask what else you've tried to fix the idle?

Tyler's 1st Car · 08-15-2010, 06:48 PM

I just did mine yesterday.
I did it from two different hoses.
The 1st one I did it from the PCV line and the 2nd one I did it from the brake booster (bigger) line.
They motor seemed to react the same using either method.
I then let it sit for 5 minutes and started it up and reved it up a bit.
Lotsa smoke...
It idles (purrs) like a top.
I then took it down the highway and opened it up a few times.
Our car has been sitting for quite some time and this was a great thing to do to it.
Hope this helps you out - Jeff

AHall42631 · 08-16-2010, 03:40 PM

I was told that you really need to just trickle the sea foam in so the use of vacuum lines without a control valve could cause problems.

kleun28 · 08-16-2010, 08:01 PM

Can I ask what else you've tried to fix the idle?[/QUOTE]

I haven't tired anything else to fix the idle.
What happened was.. my car was idling correctly but I decided to clean the throttle body with throttle body cleaner and after that the car started idling incorrectly.. like the idle is bouncing up and down when the car is at a stop in neutral or with the clutch depress

jkoni426 · 08-17-2010, 08:41 AM

^you prob have a air leak somewhere on the throttle body or IM, or IACV needs to be cleaned/replaced...

i've been thinking about seafoaming my car, but i heard it funks up your plugs, O2 sensor, and cat. mine are all new so i don't wanna do it if that's true, although their website says it doesn't mess anything up.

i know this subject has been beat to death, but i'd like to hear people's experiences with seafoam also...

H22Discorrd · 08-17-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kleun28

Can I ask what else you've tried to fix the idle?

I haven't tired anything else to fix the idle.
What happened was.. my car was idling correctly but I decided to clean the throttle body with throttle body cleaner and after that the car started idling incorrectly.. like the idle is bouncing up and down when the car is at a stop in neutral or with the clutch depress

Don't start off with Seafoam.

Check for vaccum leaks. The simplest way I know of doing this is you plug the intake with your hand and if the car dies, you have no leaks. I've never really tried it, since I use a Vacuum gauge.

Here's a thread about bouncy idles and how to diagnose them:
Idle Problems - Look Here First

That should be enough to get you started. I doubt you'll see any results from the Seafoam.

Tyler's 1st Car · 08-17-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHall42631

I was told that you really need to just trickle the sea foam in so the use of vacuum lines without a control valve could cause problems.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's how it was taught to me - let the vacuum draw it in, dont pour it in.
Just let it slowly dribble in and take your time.
With our car we ended up loading it up pretty good and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Then we fired it up and ran the piss out of it - throttle blips for many minutes afterwards.
Then like I said in my earlier post - took her down the highway and let her rip...
I see, hear and feel a big difference.
I believe in the Seafoam product, as I've had good luck using it in my SkiDoo.

Tyler's 1st Car · 08-17-2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H22Discorrd

Don't start off with Seafoam.

Check for vaccum leaks. The simplest way I know of doing this is you plug the intake with your hand and if the car dies, you have no leaks. I've never really tried it, since I use a Vacuum gauge.

Here's a thread about bouncy idles and how to diagnose them:
Idle Problems - Look Here First

That should be enough to get you started. I doubt you'll see any results from the Seafoam.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Another old school trick on vacuum leaks is....
Use starting fuid and spray in and around a suspicious area - if the idle picks up - bingo - she's sucking in the starting fluid and you have found your leak.
I'm talking gas engine / automobile starting fluid.
NOT Kingsford - I had to clear that up - I can see some guy grilling steaks and working on his car at the same time - LOL

mkivsuprapower · 08-18-2010, 02:20 AM

Starting fluid is good but I use brake cleaner bevcause it is cheaper per can. Just did it recenetly and had to change my gasket on my intake manifold. Just hit all the area with vacuum. when the care starts to sound like its gonna die... well you found your leak...

H22Discorrd · 08-18-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler's 1st Car

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Another old school trick on vacuum leaks is....
Use starting fuid and spray in and around a suspicious area - if the idle picks up - bingo - she's sucking in the starting fluid and you have found your leak.
I'm talking gas engine / automobile starting fluid.
NOT Kingsford - I had to clear that up - I can see some guy grilling steaks and working on his car at the same time - LOL

That made my day, hahahah.

I usually don't use starting fluid though, it get's everywhere. And I hear that starting fluid can potentially damage vacuum hoses but - idk how true that is.

kleun28 · 08-25-2010, 03:03 PM

Idle fixed ... i cleaned the FITV and IACV ... no need to sea foam