mja
Site Supporter
Hi Sonic community,
After answering a thread last week about seafoam, I became curious about what's in it. So I did some testing.
Update on this topic: I went over these spectra with a friend who works with fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons more than I and got some advice... learned a few things in the process, ran a few more tests, and found that it is only long chain hydrocarbons, branched or otherwise. These compounds are not saturated with halogens (i.e. no chlorine). The issue of poisoning the cats (refer to later post) should be less than was expected before, and this material is relatively safe to use from an environmental perspective. As far as engine seals - plastics/rubbers - should be completely safe and fine. However, just like any oil through the exhaust that does not fully combust - an oil film on the catalytic converter will render the cats useless at converting gasoline/air combustion products into less harmful emissions if used in high enough quantities, and oil on the oxygen sensors should cause the fuel trims to read incorrectly until the oil is completely burnt off. This is why the car may throw a code after using the product. Depending on how often this product is used, the concentration, and the health of the O2 sensors/cats, I would say this product does have the potential to decrease the life of (especially old/unhealthy) O2 sensors and cat's.
I've included some information for those who are more interested about specific compounds/mixtures in seafoam:
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/64742-49-0
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/64742-47-8
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/64742-54-7
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/67-63-0
The equipment:
Gas chromatography - Mass spec/FID:
600MHz NMR:
A disclaimer to Seafoam - These statements about the product are only my opinion, not that of my place of work, or this forum/site - www.sonicownersforum.com, and are not meant to slander any company or it's product.
After answering a thread last week about seafoam, I became curious about what's in it. So I did some testing.
Update on this topic: I went over these spectra with a friend who works with fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons more than I and got some advice... learned a few things in the process, ran a few more tests, and found that it is only long chain hydrocarbons, branched or otherwise. These compounds are not saturated with halogens (i.e. no chlorine). The issue of poisoning the cats (refer to later post) should be less than was expected before, and this material is relatively safe to use from an environmental perspective. As far as engine seals - plastics/rubbers - should be completely safe and fine. However, just like any oil through the exhaust that does not fully combust - an oil film on the catalytic converter will render the cats useless at converting gasoline/air combustion products into less harmful emissions if used in high enough quantities, and oil on the oxygen sensors should cause the fuel trims to read incorrectly until the oil is completely burnt off. This is why the car may throw a code after using the product. Depending on how often this product is used, the concentration, and the health of the O2 sensors/cats, I would say this product does have the potential to decrease the life of (especially old/unhealthy) O2 sensors and cat's.
I've included some information for those who are more interested about specific compounds/mixtures in seafoam:
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/64742-49-0
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/64742-47-8
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/64742-54-7
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/67-63-0
The equipment:
Gas chromatography - Mass spec/FID:
600MHz NMR:
A disclaimer to Seafoam - These statements about the product are only my opinion, not that of my place of work, or this forum/site - www.sonicownersforum.com, and are not meant to slander any company or it's product.
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