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I've done the Seafoam in an old car and it helped. But, be careful! If you put too much in too quickly, you can cause the engine to hydrolock and maybe bend a connecting rod.
It sounds like the repair shop might be trying to talk you into a valve job. I doubt you need one, but you could need valve seals.
I'd try the Seafoam and PCV then drive the car for a while and see if the oil loss stops.

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Rubbin' is Racin'

Well, I did the PCV -- and I bought 3 bottles Techron to decarb the engine -- is SeaFoam any different/better?

BTW, is that the product you refer to?
http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

You run a line of vacuum tubing from the intake manifold to a can of Seafoam and control the flow using needle-nose vice grips (by turning the screw). You should not do this in a garage, but you should have someone available to take pictures.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

That's the stuff. It will definitely clean out more gunk than Techron but as Wes said, do it in an open area. You'll be shocked at the amount of smoke it will generate but it won't hurt anything and can help especially if your engine has been burning a decent amount of oil.

It can make a great practical joke too!

Jim

To be fair to the guys at Apex Vintage, they said I should try the Techron cleaner and that my engine would do just fine without a valve job.


Well, I guess it's back to Autozone again, to exchange some Techron for SeaFoam... My neighbours will enjoy plumes of smoke this weekend ;)

I am not quite sure about the instructions on their web page though: it sounds like I should be able to pull the PCV valve and simply pour some SeaFoam through the opening with the engine warm, but not running, and let it sit before starting the engine.

Also they say I should pour some into the oil crankcase--but don't say if I'll have to drain the oil after that. Is it safe to leave in there for a while?

Don't do that unless you want to change the oil right after that.


Don't do that unless you want to change the oil right after that.

The vacuum line trick works.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

For cleaning the intake path I prefer the seafoam aerosol cans. I forget where the Miata's MAF sensor is (You DON'T want to clean the MAF with this stuff!), but on my truck I drilled a small hole in the intake elbow right ahead of the TB, and used it to spray into the intake. A small self-tapping screw sealed the hole perfectly. If you add Seafoam to your oil, plan on an oil change relatively soon to flush out the gunk.

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

It's kind of like eating an Oreo-- there isn't one right way to do it.

Honestly, I'd put the Techron in and just monitor your oil consumption for a couple thousand miles unless you are very close to an oil change period. When you reach that point, you might think about using the SeaFoam. It wouldn't hurt to get some now and add it to your gas tank in the suggested amount but I wouldn't bother trying to clean the engine until you've got a better handle on where the oil is going.

You definitely don't want to be driving around with the SeaFoam in your crankcase for an extended period so if you do decided to mess with it now, plan on changing your oil immediately. You'll be amazed how dark and nasty the oil will be when it comes out after a thorough cleaning. If you don't feel like changing your oil yourself, it wouldn't hurt to drive it a few miles to the nearest quick-change place, however.

Jim

Just tell 'em you're celebrating Earth Day a little late this year

I surprised nobody's mentioned Marvel Mystery Oil in this thread...

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Art McDonald
Premier Amateur #518
2008 Dishman Cup
Pivot Cone Snob

Rodney is a waxer (but in a good way)

MMO does adjust viscosity of the oil and can unstick stuck lifters, I haven't heard of it resolving an "oil burning" issue.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.