Seafoam (again)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Seafoam (again)
Yet another Seafoam thread. I tried really hard to search for this but I haven't seen anything specific to what I just had happen.
'03 Vette, 60k miles. I figured it would be a good time to run some Seafoam through the top end. Got the car up to operating temp (190 coolant) and poured most of a can in through the brake booster line. When it started smoking a bit I turned off the ignition, and the damn thing started dieseling on Seafoam. Kept running for at least 5 seconds after the ignition was off, so I kind of freaked and jabbed it into reverse, held the brake for dear life and dropped the clutch. Motor stopped, car didn't move, all was well.
Smoke cleared (neighbors came by to ask me why/how I blew up my engine) and now I'm a little worried about starting her back up again in the morning. I know dieseling is BAD for a gas motor, but it certainly was happening...
Should I be worried or just relax?
'03 Vette, 60k miles. I figured it would be a good time to run some Seafoam through the top end. Got the car up to operating temp (190 coolant) and poured most of a can in through the brake booster line. When it started smoking a bit I turned off the ignition, and the damn thing started dieseling on Seafoam. Kept running for at least 5 seconds after the ignition was off, so I kind of freaked and jabbed it into reverse, held the brake for dear life and dropped the clutch. Motor stopped, car didn't move, all was well.
Smoke cleared (neighbors came by to ask me why/how I blew up my engine) and now I'm a little worried about starting her back up again in the morning. I know dieseling is BAD for a gas motor, but it certainly was happening...
Should I be worried or just relax?
Last edited by Trios; Jul 27, 2010 at 12:45 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Pembroke Pines Florida
I'm pretty sure this is normal. My 88 Jeep did the exact same thing when I poured seafoam into it...later on when I started it back up it was a bit of a struggle at first but once I gassed it everything worked out. Huge smoke show and the jeep ran much better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
SeaFoam is a relatively safe product when used properly. Its been run thru thousands of Vettes with good results. You need to use two hands when running it thru the brake vacuum booster. One hand on pouring it in the booster hose and the other on the throttle cable.....
so it DOESN'T deisel. When it deisels, you could get the dreaded "hydro-lock". Nothing good comes of that.
The procedure is to pour 1/2 can into the brake booster, turn off the engine for ten minutes, then drive it for ten minutes. Pour the other 1/2 can into the gas tank.
so it DOESN'T deisel. When it deisels, you could get the dreaded "hydro-lock". Nothing good comes of that.
The procedure is to pour 1/2 can into the brake booster, turn off the engine for ten minutes, then drive it for ten minutes. Pour the other 1/2 can into the gas tank.
Last edited by runner140*; Jul 27, 2010 at 07:58 AM. Reason: add
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Out of curiosity, runner140*, how exactly do you put a hand on the 'throttle cable' on a C5?
Anyhow, car started a little hard this morn but started fine, smoked like a black powder rifle for about 10-15 minutes and then was fine.
Thanks folks.
Anyhow, car started a little hard this morn but started fine, smoked like a black powder rifle for about 10-15 minutes and then was fine.
Thanks folks.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 3
From: Marysville ohio
Since the C5 does not have a throttle cable you could simply remove the intake bellow and move the blade by hand. What do ya think
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
From: Redding CA
then the "senior member" should know his car a little more before giving advice to others which is obviously false
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 549
Likes: 44
From: Houston TX
It's normal for it to be a little hard to start.
Next time, reinstall the brake booster line quickly before shutting it off, or plug it with your thumb while a friend shuts the car off for you. That should keep your car from dieseling.
Next time, reinstall the brake booster line quickly before shutting it off, or plug it with your thumb while a friend shuts the car off for you. That should keep your car from dieseling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MO
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From: Rio Rancho NM
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,434
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From: Harrisburg Pa.
or is that slapping a senior member in the face too?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
The Vette does not have a throttle cable. Saying that I should have put my hand on the throttle cable to keep it going is ridiculous. Hence, the ridicule.
I didn't know that I had to be a member here for 6 years before I was assumed to know anything about vehicles. Is there some rule on this forum where a persons knowledge of how a car works is proportional to their time on the forum? If so, please explain how someone so much 'senior' to me could make a gaff like that.
IMHO, the cliquishness of this forum is astounding. New to the clique? Better not rag on the 'old skool' members or you're going DOWN, whether you're right or not...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 2
From: Harrisburg Pa.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
In regard to the spark plugs, I haven't heard that specific recommendation before. I'm about to do a total fluid swap (oil, tranny, rear end) and will look at the plugs when I do that. If they seem at all fouled they'll get replaced, or at least cleaned and gap checked.
