I've read many articles about the advantages of using "Sea Foam" as an additive to be used in fuel. Just wondering if anyone is using the product in diesel fuel? Advantages/disadvantages,etc. Thanks, MC

 

I been splashin a bottle in my crankcase about 100 miles before my oil changes. Hopin it helps keep the oil cooler cleaner but who knows. "mechanic in a can" hasn't worked very well for me over the years. I use Diesel Kleen (grey bottle) in my fuel and I do believe the truck runs better than on straight fuel. It's not expensive and available at a lot of places.

 

I used it successfully for a 'striction issue. 3 cans, 1 1/2 in crankcase and 1 1/2 in upper fuel filter/tank.

 

10-20% IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol)

 

I was curious about the use of "Sea Foam" additive in lue of Sta-Bil with Sea Foam having the added advantage of chemically cleaning of carbon build up on injectors, etc. The only place I use Sta-bil is in fuel for lawnmowers and such. I personally use a 50/50 mixture of Diesel Kleen and 2 cycle outboard motor oil...one once per gal of fuel. The use of 2 cycle oil to increase lubricity of fuel/Diesel Kleen. I change oil between 3&4K miles and oil analysis came back above normal in all categories. I have a 2005 PSD with 56k miles; bought new. I've had a multitude of problems with this truck. However, 2 years ago the engine was pulled by my Ford Dealer to re-seal the Bedplate gasket. Before work started, I knew the mechanic and tipped him with a "C" note. So, beside the Bedplate job, he rebuilt the turbo, cleaned out the EGR and related parts and flushed the block. New coolant, oil/filter change, etc. Glad I bought an extended warranty. I haven't had a problem or a check engine light come on since (fingers crossed). So, to keep what I have now with the truck working the best I've had since new I was thinking of using Sea Foam with the advice of those who do use this product. Thanks for quick responce, MC.

 

Isopropyl alcohol is produced by combining water and propene. (Propene is produced from fossil fuels - petroleum, natural gas and to a much lesser extent coal. Propene is a byproduct of oil refining and natural gas processing).* So maybe there is a chance this mixture could break down/seperate and become a small ammount of water in your fuel system?

As for Sea Foam in lue of Sta-Bil, I think they have two different purposes. Sea Foam being a cleaner/solvent. And Sta-Bil stabilizing fuel by spreading out over the top of the fuel in the tank and inhibiting evaporation of the volatiles from the fuel.

*Wikipedia

 

Everything I've ever read says you should not use fuel additives containing alcohol in a diesel engine.

For one, alcohol absorbs water, allowing it to pass through the water separator and the injectors.

 

The manufacturer stands by the use of their product in the diesel engine.

 

I'm sure they do. I've never seen a manufacture that didn't 100% guarantee their product. That means very little to me, really. People that sell fuel catalysts and HHO systems make the same claim.

One thing I find interesting reading around there web page are the claims of it being 100% petroleum, which isn't true. The only way you can see that it contains alcohol is to read the MSDS and recognize what IPA is.

The real questions is, when you lose an injector, are they going to "stand behind their product" and replace it?

Personally, I don't care if people want to use it, it's not my truck. I just think it's important that people actually know what is in the stuff they are using and Seafoam is pretty careful to make that information hard to find.

 

Nope.......

 

I have used it a few times with out issues. Although I have never had my fuel system give me any reason to put a cleaner in there, but I do for the fuel additive benefits.

 

Thanks for all opinions on the use of "Sea Foam. I'll go with the consensus that the use of "Sea Foam" is not necessary and in some instances can do more harm than good. MC

 

I have yet to actually hear or know someone that anything other than good came from using it!

 

As I said before. I intend to use it in the crankcase to "freshen up" the solvents and detergents in my oil shortly before oil changes but I have no intentions to add this product to my fuel tank. Especially after this discussion. Thanks dchamberlain good info.