after showing me a pair of 02 sensors: 1 was the normal color after use, and the other was tinged red. He said the red deposit was due to the Ethanol that they are putting in the gas, and that the Ethanol eventually starts to affect internal parts of the engine. To mitigate the effects, he said to use a can of Sea Foam in the gas tank every 3 months or so, which would clean out the deposits from the 02 sensors, injectors etc.

Now, I have used Sea Foam before, but never on a newer car. I used it on an old 91 Honda Accord, and the thing ran like a champ afterwards. Also used it to clean EGR/IAC Valves on my 98 Prelude. You are supposed to use 1/3 of the can in the oil fill cap, 1/3 through an intake manifold vacuum line, and the last 1/3 in the gas tank. Have never heard of putting the entire can in the gas tank before, but can't see how it would hurt anything. Has anyone seen anything concerning Ethanol in that it is doing any harm to engines?

On a side note, I believed this guy up until he found out I had a 350Z... said "don't bother going FI with it, because you can order a pre-built turbo engine direct from Nissan, but thats only if you want 600+ hp to the rear wheels" I just played the dumb "oh wowwwww, you're kidding me?!" As we were leaving he said "your brake rotors will start to warp on that car at around 50k miles, so bring her back here when it starts, and we'll throw some Brembo brakes on there" Give me a break, pal, you think I was born yesterday?! He lost all credit with me after that, but I still wanted to ask about the Sea Foam, as it is a legitimate product.

 

You're not using E85, are you?

Your owner's manual will tell you what alcohol content is acceptable. I don't have mine in front of me, but I believe it's 10%.

Your manual also clearly states not to use fuel additives.

Think about this: if some "snake oil" DID work, it likely wouldn't work in all 3 places they want you to put it. The properties of dedicated fuel additives and oil additives would be way, way different.

So did you have some sort of symptoms to cause you to take your car to a mechanic? Your car is under warranty, yes? Just curious.

 

No, no, I was there with my friend who had to get his brakes changed on his boat trailer But I follow the owners manual and wouldn't use anything it says not to. I would use the Sea Foam to clean parts once the car got up in years and needed it, but at this point there is no need.

Like I said though, once he started dropping that bullsh*t about a factory twin turbo engine, he instantly lost all credit with me.

 

time to find a new mechanic

 

+1 yeah, I wouldn't trust my car to him ever. At first I thought he was pretty knowledgeable... too bad haha