Thoughts on using Seafoam to unclog VCT solenoids?

[dn1984]

I remember seeing somebody report that they had the idle stumble issue and took it to the dealer. This is commonly thought to be bad VCTs so some people have them replaced. However the dealership in this case simply manually cycled them to clear the gunk out and that fixed it. Of course you have to disassemble for this. So my question is, what do you guys think about using a crankcase Seafoam treatment to clear up the VCTs solenoids?

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[Whitewalkers550]

not a bad idea, sounds almost like stiction on diesel injectors which they make stuff for that i dont see how it wouldnt be the same basic principle

 

[dn1984]

I have had better luck out of marvel mystery oil. One stuck timing chain tensioner and a sticky lifter. Fixed them both after about 500 miles.

4.6 though never the 5.0s.

Are you using it directly in the crankcase? How much, and how soon before an oil change?

 

[dn1984]

I use alternate between MMO and Power Plus in my fuel tank (I run E85 100% of the time) to lubricate stuff so I guess I'll try the MMO in my crankcase and see how it does then I guess change the oil after 500 miles or so

 

[GregO]

https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/engine/bg-quick-clean-for-engines/

0W-xx clears up cold VCT codes and idle issues. Regapping the plugs to .036"-.040" cleans up the idle and low rpm stumble.

 

[80FoxCoupe]

This is gonna be good!

 

[dn1984]

https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/engine/bg-quick-clean-for-engines/

0W-xx clears up cold VCT codes and idle issues. Regapping the plugs to .036"-.040" cleans up the idle and low rpm stumble.

hmmm....I may gap my new plugs I just bought to that and install them if they aren't already there. They're OEM plugs so not sure if they're already gapped to that. I used to use 0w oil but the stumble was still there. If anything it was worse than with 5w-30.

 

[dn1984]

just looked at the direction on the BG stuff. keeping the engine at 1200rpm for 15 minutes would be tough with how freely these rev

 

[Elp_jc]

If you change the oil every 5K miles, oil shouldn't be an issue with the phasers. In addition, I switched to M1 0/30 at 1,128 miles, and will change it every 5K miles thereafter (4.4K at the moment), precisely to prevent phaser issues. But also for quicker lubrication when engine is cold, which is always good .

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