Is it okay to use seafoam on 1997 Pathfinder to clean out intake and IACV?

I heard you can run some through the brake booster. I was also thinking if you can put some in the hose by the throttle body that runs to the IACV, to clean that out.

If so, what would be the best method and procedure to do it?

We got you covered:

https://www.nicoclub.com/archives/how-t ... t-way.html

First off, is there a problem or are you just trying to keep on top of things?

Seafoam has a lot of fans, and I'm sure they're not all wrong. And the man from AZ has a lot of knowledge I respect. But I'm not sure it's needed nor the answer to your problem if you have one.

If you have a problem with the idle valve, I'd just get some spray can carb cleaner and hose it down. Repeatedly. Then maybe a shot of some light lube like Triflow. Cleaning out the intake, what part and from what? If you're talking oil in the intake as high mileage engines can have, I wouldn't worry about it. It's not a problem and even if you do clean it out, it's going to come back. If you're talking about carbon on intake valves, that was pretty much a carb thing that went away with FI. Carbon in the combustion chamber? Give it a good long, hard run uphill and you'll burn most of it off.

Going back to the first line here, if there isn't a specific problem but you want to stay on top of things, I'd throw a bottle of Techron in the tank. Half full or so, not full but not empty. I'm not a shill for Chevron, but in my experience this is the only FI cleaner that does any good. Not cleaner with Techron, just straight Techron.

Just my .02.

Mike W. wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:29 pm

I'd throw a bottle of Techron in the tank. Half full or so, not full but not empty. I'm not a shill for Chevron, but in my experience this is the only FI cleaner that does any good. Not cleaner with Techron, just straight Techron.

I'm in agreement regarding the effectiveness of Techron. I owned BMWs for 20 years, and it is the only cleaner recommended by them. Be aware that there are two, the "Fuel System" cleaner has a higher concentration (twice?) of Techron than the "Fuel Injector" cleaner, you want the system cleaner. I buy the 32 oz size on Amazon. Do it just before an oil change,

^ this. I'm a Techron fan since the late 90s.

Well, the issue I’ve been having is when restarting the engine after siting for a bit whether it be 30 minutes sometimes it and hour or two, I’ll get a stumble upon start.

In addition I smell some gas on plugs. Mainly the two at back. Cylinder 5 and 6. And I’ve also done a fuel pressure test and I lost 11 psi after 25 minutes.

So all those tests lead me in the direction of a leaking fuel injector that wet the plugs and cause the stumble on startup. No issues on cold starts or after several hours. In addition now that it’s winter now and cold it happens a bit less.

I’m waiting until spring to tackle this job as I have to pull the intake to change all injectors and will be changing some other parts while I’m under there ( fuel pressure regulator, IACV, driver valve cover gasket, and knock sensor). Should I be fine waiting until then?

I encounter no problems driving by the way. Drives like a champ.

Shouldn't be a huge issue, unless you're really dumping enough fuel to wash down the cylinder walls... I'd up the frequency of oil changes until you can replace the injectors, and pay attention to the oil level and condition.

Got it, thank you!

It does sound like leaking injectors. As several of us mentioned, try some Techron in there. Probably won't work, but it might. Maybe repeat after the first use.