Seafoam piston soak?

[Sport]

I'm gonna be doing a lot of work on my truck in a few weeks, including a timing chain, water pump, and the hughes plenum repair. While I'm doing this, I had the idea of what if I took out all my spark plugs, and filled each cylinder with seafoam? Then after a few hours or the next day or whatever, could I just crank over the engine a few times with the spark plugs out and blow all the seafoam out?

If it's a good idea, what should I do to prevent damage to the electrical system? I would need to ground the spark plugs to the engine block, right?

 

[Jimmy68]

Don't worry about grounding the plugs. Won't hurt anything to crank it over.
A soak won't hurt and any that leaks into your oil pan is ok. Just do an oil change, or don't. It won't hurt.

 

[Sport]

Ok, so it seems like as long as I keep the plugs in their boots I should be fine. I thought it may be a concern because on my motorcycles, if you don't ground the plug, but kick it over, it can damage the stator.

I'll be doing an oil change in 1000 miles so I should be good there. After the seafoam I'm changing out to all new plugs, wires, and a new cap and rotor. I'm also cleaning all the injectors and putting new O rings on all of them. I saw a ChrisFix video on youtube testing seafoam and couldn't believe how well it works. I also have an extra can of Mopar Combustion Chamber Cleaner sitting around for later...heard good things about that stuff too.

 

[Jimmy68]

Ok, so it seems like as long as I keep the plugs in their boots I should be fine. I thought it may be a concern because on my motorcycles, if you don't ground the plug, but kick it over, it can damage the stator.

I'll be doing an oil change in 1000 miles so I should be good there. After the seafoam I'm changing out to all new plugs, wires, and a new cap and rotor. I'm also cleaning all the injectors and putting new O rings on all of them. I saw a ChrisFix video on youtube testing seafoam and couldn't believe how well it works. I also have an extra can of Mopar Combustion Chamber Cleaner sitting around for later...heard good things about that stuff too.

Ive never left the plugs in the boots to just crank it over but why not if you feel better.
Seafoam in the fuel tank will clean your injectors, and everything else fuel related.
Ive been riding and building bikes for... well, ever. I'm 47 and my first motorcycle was when I was like 8. But go carts and such. Dads a mechanic. Etc etc. Never before have I heard about leaving plugs in the boots just to crank over an engine. But if it works for you, do it.

 

[Sport]

Good to know it doesn't apply to most other machines. My bikes are all two strokes with no battery, just a coil which is grounded to the cylinder head. That way, when the spark plug is screwed in, it grounds to the cylinder head also. Didn't want to risk hurting my truck but good to know it's not a concern.

 

[Jimmy68]

Ya, I grew up with two strokes.
50cc to 750cc bikes. Even my weed wacker and chain saws.
Still never had an issue when pulling a plug and kicking it over several times to unflood them or get the water out or compression test them.

 

[Merc225hp]

Ya, I grew up with two strokes.
50cc to 750cc bikes. Even my weed wacker and chain saws.
Still never had an issue when pulling a plug and kicking it over several times to unflood them or get the water out or compression test them.

As a small engine tech that advice could cost someone a lot of money. many of the small motors need to discharge the spark or you will fry **** hard. Merc o/bs are one motor that must have the plugs grounded same goes for most older sleds.

 

[Sport]

Hmm, I've actually noticed that in the factory service manual I have, one of the steps is to disconnect the main wire to the distributor cap, and then ground that wire to the engine block with a test lead. I'm going to do that just to be safe.

 

[Jimmy68]

As a small engine tech that advice could cost someone a lot of money. many of the small motors need to discharge the spark or you will fry **** hard. Merc o/bs are one motor that must have the plugs grounded same goes for most older sleds.

Hence why I said if it makes you comfortable doing that then do it.
I've never done it and never had an issue.
Never even heard of that.
Like picking your nose, chances are you won't get caught. But if you do

 

[Rustycowl69]

If you are concerned about shooting carbonized Seafoam all over the hood and the engine compartment , you might want to spread some shop towels, or scrap cardboard over the spark plug holes to catch most of it.

 

[Merc225hp]

Hence why I said if it makes you comfortable doing that then do it.
I've never done it and never had an issue.
Never even heard of that.
Like picking your nose, chances are you won't get caught. But if you do

Are u a marine tech/small motor tech if not i would not expect u to know this info, as I am I do know this info well. U are a cert welder I am sure u know things I don't about welding and if u posted such info i would follow it as U are supposed to know what you are talking about.

Merc O/B CDI boxes range from $200 and up to $600 and some have two black boxes at $600 a piece, fry those and yea your gonna be pissed. When I have to weld on a boat the motor and all its elec system is 100% isolated for when I weld as I have seen it take out ign systems as well.

 

[Jimmy68]

Are u a marine tech/small motor tech if not i would not expect u to know this info, as I am I do know this info well. U are a cert welder I am sure u know things I don't about welding and if u posted such info i would follow it as U are supposed to know what you are talking about.

Merc O/B CDI boxes range from $200 and up to $600 and some have two black boxes at $600 a piece, fry those and yea your gonna be pissed. When I have to weld on a boat the motor and all its elec system is 100% isolated for when I weld as I have seen it take out ign systems as well.

No way man. Just saying I never heard of this.
I've been lucky I guess.
But although I've done it many times with my junk doesn't mean it would work with your stuff. Doesn't mean it will continue to work. Next time I do it I will probably fry something.
I'll blame you ya know. Cuz you told me about this.

PS: Merc, ZZ Top is coming to town. March 31. Just thought you'd like to know.