Seafoam added to the engine oil

[sstein]

The directions on the can state that it can be added to gasoline, as well as the engine oil. Do people do this? Is there any value in adding to the engine oil?

Steven

[towerworker]

I never have. I routinely put it in the tank as many do. My inclination would be that as long as you run good quality oil and change it appropriately I see no need to add "additives" to the engine oil. The BMW engine is noted for it's reliability and robustness. And that's using good quality oil. Now the FD is another story---I run an additive in that. Something far different though.

[Buckster]

I've read that too but have never tried it. I think I agree with Wayne on that. I'm not sure what the benefit would be.

[Keppelj]

I haven't had a reason to use Seafoam on the rr, but have on my auto. Where you put it depends on what you want cleaned. Adding it to oil, I've found, cleans up tappet deposits, quieting them. Added to the gas, some have claimed it cleans injectors. With my auto valve train issues I leave the additive in the oil four days just before an oil change.

[skylarmav1]

I add to my vehicles and have added a small amount to my 1150r about every 2-3 tank fills. It has done verifiable good things for my 2 BMW autos so as a matter of course add to my bike. I cannot give any empirical evidence of any true benefit to the bike at this stage however. Cours, I'm also not sure things aren't running well partly due to it.

[CycleRob]

sstein,
I would not add it to the engine oil. That is not for routine cleaning, the engine oil normally does that. If you do add SeaFoam, it thins out the oil if you add too much, risking camlobe/rockerarm/rod bearing damage. That's assuming that your engine actually needs gunky deposits disolved during an easy ride, shortly before the oil gets changed. Of all the many OilHead valve adjustments I have experienced, not a single one had visible gummy deposits. The best practice is to never make short trips that do NOT get the engine "too hot to touch".

I remember riding the 18 miles to work in the dry but cold NJ wintertime, where the engine would not exceed 170 degF (76.7 degC) . . . not good! With folded handtowel halves stuffed into each radiator backside tunnel the engine temp would go to 200F (93.3C). Getting it to 220F (104.4C) to boil out the normal excess winter condensates required maintaining RPMs over 4,000 in the lower gears, of course, AFTER the engine oil had warmed up some. Those tactics created cleaner engine oil, zero deposits and allowed me to safely go the full 6,000 miles per oil change.

[Keppelj]

Cyclerob, how were you keeping such good track of engine oil temps? I've often wanted to do that.

[MarkShelley]

I think some of you guys need to stop worrying and just ride

[Biff's R]

Rob installed an oil temp gauge.

[towerworker]

I think some of you guys need to stop worrying and just ride

It's very easy to get overly concerned with every aspect of a bike's ownership. It happens to probably each new owner. I over-thought everything concerning maintaining my bike the first couple years of ownership. I finally learned to take good care of the basics, learn to ride responsibly and just enjoy the experience. We all have to get there our own way. All in all it's fun!

[skylarmav1]

Well said Tower.

[rprothero]

I think I read on another post it is good to add to the radiator..I think a 2 to 1 ratio works well to flush out all the slimy bits...

[towerworker]

I think I read on another post it is good to add to the radiator..I think a 2 to 1 ratio works well to flush out all the slimy bits...

Agreed!

When I change the R's antifreeze I do just that. Helps maintain proper engine temps.

[cgguy09]

I think some of you guys need to stop worrying and just ride

It's very easy to get overly concerned with every aspect of a bike's ownership. It happens to probably each new owner. I over-thought everything concerning maintaining my bike the first couple years of ownership. I finally learned to take good care of the basics, learn to ride responsibly and just enjoy the experience. We all have to get there our own way. All in all it's fun!

Well said! Following the maintenance schedule and keeping a bell on the bottom of the bike is the best way to go!