Does Seafoam/fuel system cleaners actually work?

[RocZX]

I was just wondering what peoples thoughts were on Seafoam and fuel system cleaners? Do they actually work to clean your engine/fuel system? Can they cause any damage/problems to your vehicle?

You also get mixed results when asking people, some say it's works, some say it's bad and others say it doesn't do anything.

 

[Slash]

I've noticed it can help a little bit with power, but I wouldn't do it often. It does work though, it cleans the carbon buildup off everything. Of the times I have done it, you should see the gunk laying on the ground.

 

[Harry6784]

When used correctly, yes (don't burn a whole seafaom bottle when you're on empty). I personally saw a small gain in gas mileage and maybe power, though my butt dyno isn't very accurate. It is especially helpful on older/high mileage cars.

 

[maxi25]

If it's those bottles that you pour into the fuel system then no. I read in Import Tuner a while back when they did a test on the stuff. Not sure about Seafoam but the fuel system cleaners didn't improve things by as much as taking the injectors out and cleaning them by hand. Here's a link for you:
http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp_1106_fuel_system_cleaners/

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Problem with these things is that it may loosen up a piece of gunk that is big enough to clog up things instead of cleaning them and cause more damage.

 

[Slash]

If you have gunk built up that bad inside your engine, you have bigger problems to worry about...


You also realize that it not only breaks the gunk loose, but breaks it down into tiny pieces right?