My 2001 XLT seems to have some hesitation while I'm driving it.....it feels like it wants to go but can't when you are accelerating. I don't have any check engine lights or anything else to indicate a problem either. I thought about running a couple of cans of Seafoam throught it with a full tank but when I talked to the local service dept. at the Ford dealership they said to bring it in and they would hook it up and clean out the fuel system. I talked to another mechanic and he said the same thing. Both places use the same type of cleaner and both said it will make a world of difference in how it runs. One of them also said that they will shut off the fuel pump so only the cleaner will be going through the system and that when you use injector cleaner or Seafoam that by them time it gets where it needs to be to clean the system is has lost some of its "punch". I am wondering if ayone has done this and what the results were or if the 2 cans of Seafoam would get the same results. Any input would be appreciated!
Fuel system cleaning...anyone done this?
- Thread starter bar422
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spadesluck
Well-Known Member
Seafoam is certainly not goign to hurt. I would think the shops have stuff that is stronger that they use. Just depends on how much it costs to get it done, that would be my deciding factor. I have used Seafoam many times on all my vehicles, seems to work just fine.
Captain Morgan
Full Access Members
"Both places use the same type of cleaner and both said it will make a world of difference in how it runs"
Oh they mean a petrolium distilate?
Never trust the advice of someone that want's to sell you something.
There are stronger cleaners than Seafoam for sure. As for running "only the cleaner through the system", you could run the gas tank down to the nub and put in the cleaner, remove the engine fuse and pump the cleaner in to the fuel lines, injectors and cylinders and leave it a while. My caution would be the effect of the distailate on any seals and o-rings etc.
How long could you leave it in . . overnight? Inserting the engine fuse or relay and adding gas to the tank would put you back where you started, then fill up with good gas.
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Oh they mean a petrolium distilate?
Never trust the advice of someone that want's to sell you something.
There are stronger cleaners than Seafoam for sure. As for running "only the cleaner through the system", you could run the gas tank down to the nub and put in the cleaner, remove the engine fuse and pump the cleaner in to the fuel lines, injectors and cylinders and leave it a while. My caution would be the effect of the distailate on any seals and o-rings etc.
How long could you leave it in . . overnight? Inserting the engine fuse or relay and adding gas to the tank would put you back where you started, then fill up with good gas.
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Both places run about 100 bucks to do it and it takes about an hour to do. The stuff they have is stronger than SeaFoam too but I was figuring if I filled it up and ran 2 cans through it that would maybe take care of it. They also suggested to check the fuel pressure and the catalytic converter pressure before doing a fuel system cleaning. Anymore input would be appreciated!
Captain Morgan
Full Access Members
IMHO opinion 2 cans of Seafoam in a full tank is not as strong as several bottles of the cheap cleaner at the bottom of a tank. Even if you left them in at nearly full strength for more than one hour, then added a full tank of gas, you would still have some distilate for the duration of that tank.
"They also suggested to check the fuel pressure and the catalytic converter pressure"
Fair enough, but I would do the $10 solution before having them do the expensive solution.
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"They also suggested to check the fuel pressure and the catalytic converter pressure"
Fair enough, but I would do the $10 solution before having them do the expensive solution.
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That does make sense.....the less fuel in the tank and it won't dilute the cleaner as much. I could run it down and put the cleaner in it then let the fuel pump run but don't start the engine right? Let it sit awhile then fill it up. I have always had good luck with Seafoam but I can use the cheaper stuff and try it out and see. Thats why I was thinking 2 cans of Seafoam on a full tank so it wouldn't break down as much. Any more input or peoples experiences is appreciated!
Captain Morgan
Full Access Members
I'm no hypocrit, I'm on E and I can do it today, so I might as well.
I have about 4 bottles of the cheap carb cleaner and 2 bottles of seafoam. I think i'll use the cheap stuff for this evening and the seafoam as follow up after I fill up at the gas station. Another $125 I'll never see again.
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I have about 4 bottles of the cheap carb cleaner and 2 bottles of seafoam. I think i'll use the cheap stuff for this evening and the seafoam as follow up after I fill up at the gas station. Another $125 I'll never see again.
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Captain Morgan
Full Access Members
OK I was mistaken . . . I only had 2 bottles of the cheap stuff and one can of Seafoam so I put it all in and ran it another 10 minutes or so. I didn't see any immediate side effects and I believe I will just leave it over night and full up tomorrow morning.
Thermo
technical advisor
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If you are checking the fuel system pressure, with the engine off, you should see about 40-50 psi on the fuel rail (more towards 50 psi). With the engine running, you should be in the 30-40 psi range (closer to 40 psi). From past experience, if you are having fuel pump issues, the truck will be hard to start and will take a few extra cranks to get it fired up first thing in the day. You can verify this by turning the ignition key to the RUN position (not to the START position), waiting 5 seconds, then attempting to start the truck. If the truck starts much easier, it is a classic sign that your fuel pump is starting to go.
As for checking your cat pressure, unless you have an oxy torch, leave this one to the pros. In short, what you end up doing is punching a small hole upstream and downstream of the cat. If the cat is fine, the pressure should be roughly equal (will be slightly higher upstream of the cat). If you have a large pressure drop across the cat, it is plugged and more than likely will need to be replace. You need the torch to fill the holes back up so you are not violating any emissions laws and to promote the longevity of your exhaust system.
As for checking your cat pressure, unless you have an oxy torch, leave this one to the pros. In short, what you end up doing is punching a small hole upstream and downstream of the cat. If the cat is fine, the pressure should be roughly equal (will be slightly higher upstream of the cat). If you have a large pressure drop across the cat, it is plugged and more than likely will need to be replace. You need the torch to fill the holes back up so you are not violating any emissions laws and to promote the longevity of your exhaust system.
Captain Morgan
Full Access Members
Bar422, have you changed the fuel filter? Is the air filter clean?
I only left the mix in for about 6 hours last night then filled it up at the gas station. The pump stopped at 25 gallons. %$#! So I started it again and bought another 2 gallons.
I only left the mix in for about 6 hours last night then filled it up at the gas station. The pump stopped at 25 gallons. %$#! So I started it again and bought another 2 gallons.
Well I had the catalytic converter and fuel pressure checked today and both came back fine. I went ahead and had them clean the fuel system and it did seem to help but I haven't driven it much since they did it. I will keep you all posted !
splintrcel
Full Access Members
Try running sea foam through the vacuum line. Its the rubber hose coming off the brake booster. There should be a thread somewhere on how to do it correctly but i can always tell you if you want. It takes maybe 20 min. It works extremely well and makes ur engine run great. I also would change ur fuel filter if your over 100k. They are really cheap.
I've only had my Expedition since last fall and one of the first things I did was change the fuel filter so that should be ok. I do want to try the Seafoam thing your talking about so go ahead and send me the instructions on how to do this. I thought I read somewhere on here that you leave the truck running and pull the rubber hose off the brake booster. The slowly dump the Seafoam in but not too fast or it will stall the engine. I think it said the white smoke should start shorly after that and go for awhile. I can't remember how much Seafoam to use though.
Bar422 by anychance when you step on the gas you get rpm's but no pick up on speed? If yes then its most likely a coil or coil boot that's shortening it happened to my 2002 4.6 and i got no check engine light but had those symptoms.
And yes that is how you use seafoam but once you get past half a can you want to stall it out or just shut off the engine (what i do) and let it set from 15 min to an 1 hour than start it up and rev it till she stops smoking.
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And yes that is how you use seafoam but once you get past half a can you want to stall it out or just shut off the engine (what i do) and let it set from 15 min to an 1 hour than start it up and rev it till she stops smoking.
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spadesluck
Well-Known Member
I always like drive my vehicles around till they stop smoking when using seafoam, getting them up to speed from a low speed.
