[sparky34kv]

Recently did a tune-up on my 04 ZTW, when looking up Seafoam I found one thread that said to run 1 1/2 cans in the gas tank and 1/2 in the oil. Drove it for about 250 miles then did a second oil change, as well as replacing the fuel filter. The plugs were barely a pin point where the center electrode should be, so installing the Autolite 103 coppers made a noticeable improvement, though the car was not running badly before. My issue is this, my fuel mileage is very reduced. While not a sound way to calculate mileage on a tank of gas, I generally got around 125 miles at 3/4's of a tank and between 190 to 200 at half, usually getting close to 300 at 1/4. My mpg was pretty standard at 26 to 27 for the driving that I do to and from work. While running the Seafoam I was at 80 for 3/4's and 135 for 1/2 a tank, on the second tank since I am at 115 for 3/4's and was at 168 just above 1/2 a tank. My son used the car over the weekend and at close to 1/4 of a tank it is at about 230 miles on the trip counter. I am going to look at the pcv valve and see if my neighbor can help do a compression check. I just don't understand that my mpg went down after running the Seafoam. I did put 89 in this last time, so I will run to empty and fill up on 87 again, I just don't know what happened. I plan to clean the maf tomorrow. Any feedback is welcome, I am also looking over the site for any hints about where to look and what to do.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Your volume measurement is not at all accurate. Use motorcraft plugs with the proper gap. When you fill up use the same pump and just set the auto stop lever the same each time. You need an accurate measure of fuel and miles your just guessing on consumption. How old are the plug wires and use some dielectric grease on the wire ends if you install new ones. good low resistance wire will improve the spark. Good synthetic oil and a motorcraft filter can also improve performance. Preventave maint first plugs wires and oil the engine is probably tuned for 87 octane, half a can of seafoam would have done fine on a full tank, yea run it empty and fill with 87 octane without ethanol if possible. Just putting new plug wires on at this point and see if you notice an improvment.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Oh yea if you have a PCV valve just change it there is no way to look at or clean it. If you pull it off watch it hit the garbage can.

 

[gerryyy]

That's my formula. Buy 2 cans of Seafoam and 1/2 can into the crankcase the rest into the gas tank. As others have said you measurements might be off. Best way is to fill up drive until the tank is almost empty and refill to the first click off of the gas pump to get an accurate MPG reading. You may want to go to http://www.seafoamsales.com/ to get some other ideas on MPG. Seafoam always works for me and I'd be buyingh more if it wasn't $9/can.

 

[sparky34kv]

Thanks for the information. I know it is not an accurate measurement, just an eyeball look that shows me a major hit on my mpg. I did plugs, full synthetic oil with a Fram PH3600 filter. There are not plug wires on the Duratec engine, but I gapped the plugs to .051 and did anti-sieze on the threads and plug boot grease on the boots. My biggest concern was that I changed something by doing so much Seafoam in the gas, I only recently saw to do a can and a half, always did half a can before on my Escort. The engine feels like it is running really nice now with the new plugs, I just have aconcern that my distance driven is so much less at the different levels on the gas guage. The tank of gas with the Seafoam averaged out to just over 25 mpg, it's looking slightly higher on this tank, but not by much. I will drive it to E and refill with 87 at the pump I always seem to get the best mileage from. Thanks again.[idea]

 

[woodyg]

-Autolite plugs are fine
-I would add your engine and transmission to your signature/profile
-always figure out your mileage by calculating the mpg's not by 1/2 tank etc
-I like seafoam and put half a can in the oil and half in the vacuum line. I use Techron in the gas tank
-I never used Fram filters(they use to fall apart and why risk it if you don't have to)...walmart has Motorcraft
-some of these engines have crankccase vent hoses that need to be repalced

my .2 cents

 

[sparky34kv]

Thanks, good to know. I know that going by level on the gas gauge is not accurate for mpg, but I am seeing a big difference in distance driven at these points, giving me concern about my car. Especially when it is after I have done a tune-up. I will add more information to my signature though, just to give people a better understanding of what I have.

 

[04RedRocket]

I always do one can in the gas tank. The directions say 1 can per tank? :shrugs: