Seafoam in the oil- Any risks?

[Eriko5000]

I replaced my valve cover gasket a few weeks ago, and upon pulling the cover, found significant gunk build up in the engine (See picture).  I cleaned the valve cover out, and just put it back together.  I've heard that Seafoam does wonders to break down build up inside the engine, but want to be sure if I put Seafoam in, that it dissolves it safely, rather than potentially breaking any pieces loose that might clog something.

I'm also trying to figure out if there's an amount of build up that it's not worth cleaning out until you need to just do a rebuild.

Any thoughts?  Are there any other options for cleaning up the gunk build up safely?

 

[eaglescout526]

Could also run a little bit of ATF in the crank case too. But you shouldn’t have any issues. You could set an X amount of miles to run the sea foam and change it and see what it has done. 

[Chad R]

Just like eaglescout said atf. Drain the oil and put 5qts of oil and 1qt of atf run it for a couple weeks or 100 miles which ever comes first and change the oil and filter. That’s what I have done

[89 MJ]

I have run a can of seafoam in my Eagle's 4.2 to try to clean it out some. I am also running it in one of my garden tractors. No issues to report here!

The one thing to make sure you are aware of, though, is that it is thinner than the oil, so it will thin the oil out some. It will be a very minute difference, but it will still thin it out a tiny bit. It still will be fine for the engine.

[howeitsdone]

Like mentioned, you'll be fine. Just make sure to change the oil within about 25 miles so you get the gunk out and it doesn't sit in there. You can also take and add it to the brake booster vacuum line (unhook booster side) to clean the pistons and ignition system. That one can be tricky, but highly effective. 

 

Two other great brands for a pre-oil change clean are AMSoil & Liquid Moly. Both have an Engine Flush product that also work great.

[75sv1]

I have done Sea Foam. 50 to 200 miles. I'd also look at Marvel's Mystery Oil. Youi can run the smaller bottle between OCIs. I have also done the Trans oil too. Up to 500 miles. I'd probably only do 200 miles though. I can't get a good read from your photos. Still, I'd replace the thermostat. 195F. If its like a grease, then your not heating up the oil enough and the water condensation is not being heated off. Also, synthetic oils will clean engines. Still, I'd worry about seal leaks. Also, I think Kroil has some engine cleaner. I've used it. I forget the results. I'd also see what condition your CCV system is in. 

[cruiser54]

Substitute Marvel Mystery Oil for one quart of engine oil. Monitor the cleaning process through the oil fill hole. Run it til the next oil change if you want to.