Can you use Sea Foam Motor Treatment in a turbo engine? [SOLVED]

That’s the ideal first question Tas. Yes, Sea Foam is safe to use in ANY gas or diesel engine fuel, including any engine with a turbo.

My question is can you add Sea Foam to your oil if you have a turbo? Adding to your gas wouldn’t make a difference but wondering if different in oil for a turbo?

Hi Dillan. It will work great in the oil of a turbo engine. Important for cleaning bearing surfaces!

Can you put Sea Foam in the vacuum hose of a turbo car?

Hi Nate. We do not recommend adding a fluid into a vacuum line. Sea Foam Spray through the throttle body works much better!

Can I use Sea Foam Spray in GDI Turbo engine? I have a clogged injector.

Yes, you can use Sea Foam Spray in a GDI turbo engine. However, to clean up a gummed-up fuel injector, you need to introduce Sea Foam directly to the fuel system, you’ll want to use Sea Foam Motor Treatment or High Mileage in your gas tank. Add a full can or two to a low tank of fuel (1/8 tank or so) and drive until almost empty before refueling. The high concentration does a great job cleaning.

I have a 2014 Subaru Forester xt 2.0 turbo. I have carbon buildup on the valves. Can I use Sea Foam on it? Plus it has high mileage.

Hi Scottie – yes, you can use Sea Foam on it. Here’s what I’d do to help with the carbon buildup:

Run a treatment of Sea Foam Spray through the intake. In addition, when the tank is low (4-5 gallons), add a full can of High Mileage Motor Treatment to the fuel tank and drive it until almost empty before refueling.

I have a 2016 F-150 with a 3.5L twin turbo. I can add Sea Foam to both gas and oil with zero issues, correct? Is it good maintenance for the turbos to add to the oil?

Yes, you can add Sea Foam Motor Treatment to both gas and oil. It’s made with 100% safe petroleum cleaning and lubricating ingredients. It’s safe for your F-150. As far as turbo maintenance, absolutely. Sea Foam Motor Treatment in your engine oil will help keep the oil passageways clean and free from debris that can restrict oil flow to your turbos. Keeping oil flow and pressure at a constant rete will increase the life of the turbos and help them perform better. Ford EcoBoost 3.5L engine in your truck is notorious for turbo and timing chain/cam phaser problems.

Hi Sea Foam! Can I use SS14 in the inlet of a diesel that does not have a throttle body?

Hey Matt! Thanks for the question. We get asked about diesels and SS14 a lot.

SS14 is not for use in diesel (don’t use it in a diesel!). It could cause the engine to “run away” (overspeed).

Hi Connor, thanks for the reply! It is probably partly due to this video https://youtu.be/YeFat4aMcYg
do you have a product like SS14 that is suitable for diesel?

Very welcome! We unfortunately do not. The reason is that diesel engine ignition (compression) works differently than gasoline (spark ignition). Because of this, if you add a secondary source of fuel through a diesel engine’s air intake you can cause the engine to “runaway”. Runaway will not only ruin the engine, but it is also dangerous. I’d recommend contacting a diesel repair facility in your area and seeing what they have to say.

That said, Sea Foam Motor Treatment works great when added to diesel fuel and oil.

I have a GMC Terrain 2.0T. I cannot find the throttle body, at least not accessible for DIY. Can I spray it past the MAF sensor (into the turbo)?

To find the location of your throttle body, follow the air intake tube from the air filter to the engine. On a turbocharged vehicle application, there may be an intercooler(small radiator looking component) located at the front of the vehicle. Follow the air intake tube to the inlet of the intercooler, go to the other side of the engine compartment and locate the outlet of the intercooler and follow that air intake tube from that location to the throttle body. 

Can I use Sea Foam to clean my turbo on a duramax?

Hi Jay –

You can use Sea Foam Motor Treatment in the fuel of a diesel truck.

Do NOT use Sea Foam Spray through the intake – it could cause runaway!

Hi I have ’21 Sonata with 19000 miles and it’s starting to hesitate when I turn a corner and step on the gas. Would Sea Foam in the tank help this?

If the problem is caused by a dirty fuel system, Sea Foam could help. It’s definitely worth a try, and either way it will clean critical engine areas on your Sonata.

Here’s what I’d do: Add an entire can of High Mileage to a low tank of fuel (1/8 tank or so). Drive at least 20 miles before refueling. (Note: Regular Sea Foam Motor Treatment would work fine, but I’d use High Mileage as it’s a great/strong cleaner.)

I have a 2022 Hyundai Elantra N with a 2.0t Theta II engine. Can I use this with out it damaging the seals of my engine? Can I use the engine oil flush too with out it damaging the turbo??

Hey Dylan – adding Sea Foam to your Elantra’s fuel is safe for the seals. Sea Foam Motor Treatment is made with 100% safe petroleum cleaning and lubricating ingredients that are gentle on seals and can’t harm anything. (Here’s a quick video if you’re interested in more details: https://seafoamworks.com/shop-talk/sea-foam-official-video-sea-foam-and-engine-seals/

Sea Foam is also safe to add to the oil. It won’t harm the turbo.