GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So I have 174,000 miles on my 03 Base and I do have some lifter or valve noise. Car runs great, doesn't seem to use or leak oil, no CEL lights, but was reading that running Seafoam in the oil before an oil change and possibly after could help?

All I can say is if you run it in the oil or suck it into the intake system, be sure and change the oil pretty soon afterwards. I blame myself for not changing the oil in time on my Mustang and blowing the engine. I ran Seafoam in it a few times in the past with good results cleaning out the internals, but always changed the oil the same day or next day. Well, in May 2011 I ran it in my Mustang on Sunday, but did not change the oil, and drove it the next few days. On Thursday, apparently the oil intake clogged up from the gunk, lost pressure, and broke the crank. Not a happy camper here!

Just be sure and change the oil pretty soon after you use it!

I can't say I've ever had it done, but one of the likely overlooked maintenance items in the manual is checking your valve clearance. If you haven't done that for 174,000 miles, I'd look into it before trying an additive .

Ok, some basic information......



You've got solid lifters on your car, that means a physical space exists between the lobe on the camshaft #1 and the lifter #10 (bad term but we'll use it) and the lobe. As the engine wears that lobe can wear away or the lifter can wear away thus increase the physical distance. More distance equates to louder tapping noises from the valve train.

Seafoam will do nothing to alter this distance. Check the valve clearance and look for wear on the components.

Now sometimes a valve #3 #4 will stick in the guide hole due to wear or poor service habits thus preventing it from closing properly but if this happens you've got bigger problems that need to be dealt with and seafoam is not going to fix it anyway. The same thing with the #10 lifter, it can stick in its bore.....but rarely does.

The risk of serious engine damage from the cleaning actions of using the product are not worth the possible benefits from using it.

Check the engine mechanically and fix the problems found. There is no magic bullet to fix this problem.

Because of the engine design any repairs, be it a "simple" valve adjustment, stuck valve or worn lifter will require significant time and possibly some expensive parts to repair.......them's the hard facts...... Sorry.....

Dave

trb wrote: I blame myself for not changing the oil in time on my Mustang and blowing the engine.

Well I can relate to this story .... sort of. Going back 25-30 years when I was into serious auto restoration (did it all... mechanical, body, interior, etc.) I just rebuilt an inline 6 chevy 250cid in my then '74 Firebird. Installed it and started driving it immediately. Ran beautifully. Then I drove it on a road trip down to Dayton Ohio & back (visiting girlfriend at the time) and when I got off I-75 after driving 150 miles or so, I heard this loud knocking form the engine. I knew exactly what happened. My negligence in NOT changing the oil & filter after a rebuild, cost me this engine. The oil filter was plugged to the point that it starved the engine of lubricants. This was summertime, bright sunshine, loud music, windows down, and never paid attention to the idiot gauges on the dash. Later that day I removed the engine & opened it up. ALL bearings were shot & had anywhere from .030" to .045" gap on the all the journals Needless to say I learned yet another valuable, expensive lesson that day.

My car runs great, I just wanted to hear from folks who have used it and their results. I've not used it before.

If it runs great....... If it ain't broke, don't go fix'in it!

You might consider having the valve clearance checked if the noise is excessive. They can check for wear at the same time. It will provide peace of mind anyway?

Dave

I've read and have been told that it could be bad for a high millage car that has never had it done. It's more effective and good for newer cars that get the treatment on a normal basis.

djkeev wrote:If it runs great....... If it ain't broke, don't go fix'in it!

You might consider having the valve clearance checked if the noise is excessive. They can check for wear at the same time. It will provide peace of mind anyway?

Dave

Can you do this yourself on the 1ZZ-FE? I watched a video on it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abUFPhIk47Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and it looks like the most exciting thing EVER. I also read http://madstyle1972.com/Repair/14/201lbc04/a040001.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and it looks like checking it wouldn't be too hard, but any adjustments necessary look out of my league.

I agree with the others that have discussed valve train noises at 174,000 due to normal wear.

I have seen Seafoam remove build up and deposits in every nook and cranny in an engine. It then flush the abraisive left over through every moving part on an engine with those kind of miles. It will take the non disturbed and churn it up like vinegar and oil salad dressing. Get the idea

The best purpose for Seafoam I have found is on the intake of my Rotary engine (RX8) as they carbon up by design. The Seafoam flushes the carbon through the engine in the combustion chamber and out the exhasut. Seafoam has its purpose cleaning an engine in the combustion chamber, but dangerous on high mileage engines in the crank case. JMHO!

lannvouivre wrote:

djkeev wrote:If it runs great....... If it ain't broke, don't go fix'in it!

You might consider having the valve clearance checked if the noise is excessive. They can check for wear at the same time. It will provide peace of mind anyway?

Dave

Can you do this yourself on the 1ZZ-FE? I watched a video on it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abUFPhIk47Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and it looks like the most exciting thing EVER. I also read http://madstyle1972.com/Repair/14/201lbc04/a040001.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and it looks like checking it wouldn't be too hard, but any adjustments necessary look out of my league.

If you have basic mechanical skills, you can check your valve clearances yourself. You are correct, adjusting them is in a whole other league!

Dave

I have never used the stuff. A well maintained motor really doesn't need that type of product IMO. But like most products, I am sure other folks may swear by it.

Pat

glhboy wrote:My car runs great, I just wanted to hear from folks who have used it and their results. I've not used it before.

I used it in my '86 Trans AM, it seemed to like it, it ran better afterwards, I got a little better throttle response, it didn't bog down, I'd use it again.