Well, I have tried them. IMO, they do work. I used them while on vacation this past summer. I noticed about a 1.8 mpg increase while using the product. Heres how it breaks down: considering it cost $10 dollars for the additive (which treats 100 gallons) 100 gallons x 15 mpg (which is what I was averaging without the additive) equals 1500 miles. 100 gallons x 16.8 equals 1680, for an increase of 180 miles per 100 gallons. So, 180 miles divided by 16.8 mpg equals 10.71 gallons. 10.71 gallon x $3.50 (current price of fuel per gallon) equals $37.48. Now, $37.48 minus the original $10 for the additive and you have a savings of $27.48 per 100 gallons of fuel used...:cheers:

 

Since it's the topic of additives, how do you guys feel about oil stabilizer? My father in law says he's had it take away slight lifter ticks so I'm just curious as to if anyone's had success with it?

Back to mpgs, what does everyone think about seafoam? Personally the vids on YouTube make it look too harsh for me to use but my uncle used it on his 99 F-150 that was running like CRAP and it completely cleaned it up... I BELIEVE they also claims that by cleaning everything out it also "restores" (not improves per say) performance and or mpgs. Can anyone attest to this?


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I have never used Sea Foam so I cant say anything about that. I am going to be running Z-max oil additive in my truck once i get 6K on it. all my buddies use it. One buddy had a Toyota 4 Runner and it had 500k on the original motor and it was still going till it blew a head gasket. We took it apart and it looked almost brand new. There was ware but u could still see hatching in the cylinders from the factory. The ring seat was great. Cam was in great condition, same with crank pistons and rods. U may not gain fuel economy but to have an engine that will last I will use it. You put it in once every 6K and you still use the recommended oil compacity for your engine. this is so post to soak into the metal not your oil so by adding it before or after you put in the oil does not change your fluid level or u will not overfill your engine either I think everyone should use it. You may safe your self an engine or costly repairs 200k down the road

 

Khip, I have never used oil additives, so I can't speak to those. I have, however, used the Sea-foam before. From what I understand there is a couple of ways to use the Sea-foam. First, add it to your fuel. Second, which I just saw on youtube, is to disconnect your break booster vacuum line, rev your engine up to 2k rpms, and then pour the Sea-foam into the line. Once all the foam is in, shut off the truck, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then run the vehicle until there is no white smoke coming from the tail pipes. This, from what I'm told, burns all the carbon of of the valves and so forth.

 

Thanks! Yeah, too me it just seems like kinda harsh stuff, idk maybe it's just the smoke that makes it seem that way. Idk about y'all but I don't like to see my truck pouring smoke haha. Oh and also for anyone reading, I've also read in the past that if you have any kind of leak in or on your block (obviously it couldn't be just anywhere but you get the point) that is basically plugged up with carbon and other gunk, it will clean all of that junk out and make the leak "active" I guess is the right word. Just what I've read, take it for what it's worth...


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Sweet so the price of the additive does pay for it self. Also you double ur money. Can I ask you witch product worked the best?

 

I used the Lucas Oil fuel saver. See below:

 

I used Lucas Oil Fuel Saver on my trip to NC this past summer and got 17.78 MPG on that tank (all highway).

I drove to Philly in December (up hill from Pgh into the Appalachians and downhill into Philly) and only got 16.1 MPG with my 4X4 BT, no Lucas added (all PA Turnpike).

I think Mr. Smooch is right on with his assessment.

 

Are you running stock tires?

 

Most additives are combinations of xylene or toluene, aromatic solvents. They will dissolve carbon deposits to be sure, but I'm not sure that's what you want to put through your engine.

 

I'm not saying Z-max will fix ur engine. But may prevent something in the long haul. It's not that expensive. All these products are a bunch of hype but if they help they help. If not ok lesson learned and we move on but with these products I am willing to try to see if u gain some thing. It's not like ur spending a lot of money to try them. 10 bucks per 100 gallons isn't really that bad. That's a lunch at a fast food joint or something. There are tons of these products out there company's spend millions each year to advertise them and research them. All I can say is they better work.


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The only thing it does is keep your e-10 or e-15 from separating over long periods of time. There's no miracle in a bottle that will save you money or fix your broken engine.
People say their mileage increased because they spent money on a bottle of stuff....."it better do something".

 

I add Lucas in my gas every tank. Not to gain mpg but just to be nice to my T. I also use chevrons synthetic fuel system cleaner every month. Both you can buy from Walmart. I buy the handle of Lucas and just fill up the squeeze bottle that stays Iin my back drivers side door. 190k now, with 11mpg, she likes me.

 

I heard bg44k was supposed to be the best. It's hard to find in stores, Volkswagen sells it or online

 

I just get a new truck every 40K miles or so. It's been working like a charm for me for years... YMMV..

 

I have a 04 with 205000 miles. I use Lucas oil treatment at each oil change since 100000 miles. It seems to help quiet the lifters. I have also added Sea Foam several times recently. Seems like it helps performance.

service Engine Soon light came on about a month ago. I read the codes and it said the cats are not at optimum performance or something like that. I added a can of Sea Foam and in less than 100 miles the light went out. -A couple of tanks later it came back on. Also tried better grade of gas light went of for one tank. Anyone had this experience. my truck is all original no upgrades.

 

Cats get clogged over time, just get Cajun B-Pipes


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Cats only get plugged when an engine has issues and, for example, is allowed to run rich for way too long.
You don't need to keep your lifters quiet either, they are solid bucket tappets and should make some noise. Lucas oil treatment thickens your oil and will actually cause more harm than good. Think of those cold startups every morning.

 

But look back to what he posted, he uses sea foam regularly. That burns off a lot of stuff and makes smoke like crazy, the could easily be connected to clogged cats IMO...


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SeaFoam's main ingrediant is kerosene.

The old guys used to have a trick that some would use every oil change. That is to dump the oil, pour kerosene in the engine, and run it for a minute or so and then dump the kerosene and fill it with oil.

This is because kerosene does wonders when it comes to cleaning out carbon deposits and that is why SeaFoam's main ingredient is kerosene.

Yes, it will clean out your engine. Yes, it does work. However, all the carbon it cleans out, is going to be pumped through your engine, back into your oil pan, and maybe through your oil pump. Can that cause issues? Yes.

As far as causing oil leaks, anything designed to clean your engine can cause oil leaks, especially on high mileage engines. It is not uncommon for carbon to buildup on high mileage engines to actually keep a bad gasket from leaking. By running SeaFoam through your engine do you risk causing an oil leak? Yes.

 

True, I've used kerosene to flush out the oil in my fourwheeler after I'd sunk it. But as for what it's burning off, could that not be connected to clogged cats?


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If you read the SeaFoam instructions on the back of the can, it says to put 1/3 directly into your oil, put 1/3 into a cup and allow your vacuum line off of your brake booster to suck it up, shut off your engine and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and add the other 1/3 to your gas. You're then supposed to run your engine for about 20-100 miles and then do an oil change.

I can personally say that it works. After doing this my jeep's oil came out black, and I mean black. I keep up to date on my oil changes and I use high quality products and it had never had the oil come out nearly that dark except when I used seafoam in it.

 

Watch the Seafoam videos on youtube, yes it does make smoke when dumped into your intake via a vacuum port. Most of that smoke is Seafoam. I agree that it works, but it's totally not necessary. I've seen a lot of vehicles make it over 200k without any such additives in the fuel, oil, or intake. With proper use and service, your engine should never have an excessive amount of buildup in it. If it does have problematic buildup, then by all means use some Seafoam or kero.
Is it OK to do it once every 50k?...Sure. Would I recommend doing it every few thousand miles, NO WAY. Gasoline and motor oils are both highly engineered products, if they were lacking anything, someone would do something about it. There are millions of people out there passing emissions every year without these additives.

FYI, most miracle additives are just by-products of the refining process anyway....Would you throw them out? Or bottle and sell them?

 

Another thing that can cause carbon buildup is running high octane fuel in an engine that is designed for a lower octane fuel. Just sayin.

 

Since I've been using 91+ octane for 190k miles, should I switch to midgrade or will she go into shock in anyway?

 

I just looked at the manual and all it says is "at least 87"

 

You have nothing to worry about KWAZ, whether it's 87, 89, or 91.