This TikTok hack guarantees to scrub your automotive engine for simply $10—however does it really work?

TikToker STONERMANE UNCUT (@stonermaneuncut) defined the hack that “mechanics don’t want you to know” in a now viral video, claiming that through the use of a easy product from Walmart referred to as Sea Foam, you’ll be able to clear your engine simply with out taking it aside. 

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Commenters have been divided on the product, with some singing its praises, whereas others stated it ruined their engines. Here’s all the pieces we all know.

What does the hack contain?

In his video posted to TikTok in May 2025, @stonermaneuncut defined the hack to three.2M viewers.

“This 10-dollar hack I’m about to show you will save you thousands in car repairs,” he claimed. “Most mechanics don’t want you to know this either, but it’s called Sea Foam Motor Treatment. You can get it at Walmart for $10.”

According to the TikToker, among the results of Sea Foam embrace: cleansing injectors, restoring horsepower, quieting noisy lifters, and eliminating deposit buildups from engines.

“Just pour it into your gas tank or your oil crank case where you put your oil in, drive around for about 50 miles and you can tell a big difference,” he continued.  

@stonermaneuncut #tiktokautocampaign #cartips ♬ authentic sound – STONERMANE UNCUT

Viewers flocked to the feedback part to share anecdotes, with many having heard of Sea Foam earlier than.

“Baby that’s old school. Glad you’re putting people on,” wrote Ms. Moni Q.

Crystal agreed. “I been using seafoam in everything, forever.”

“He aint lying, my 06 Nissan kept cutting off. My mechanic used that sea foam, car ran smooth.” Nina Ross commented, whereas another person added that it fastened their compression drawback. Others shared tips on the place to use the Sea Foam, as OP’s authentic recommendation was unclear.

“Mechanic here. Put half in your oil & half in your gas tank,” clarified Mattjones147. “’It’s a good thing to add to your maintenance but it’s not a good substitute for a clean & tune. Do it when you change your oil & fill gas.”

However not everybody was satisfied, with others detailing their less-than-ideal experiences. Many claimed that Sea Foam was chargeable for destroying their engines—particularly in new automobiles—producing big quantities of smoke, or just not working. 

“Sometimes that stuff can also ruin your engine. No drama, just saying. Happened to my friend,” commented LilMizz Sunshine.

“Seafoam ruins your spark plug in time and your fuel injectors,” claimed another person. 

What really is Sea Foam, and what’s the proof?

According to the corporate’s web site, Sea Foam Motor Treatment is a petroleum-based product that works on each gasoline and diesel engines. Its producers declare it’s 100% protected to make use of and doesn’t comprise any harsh chemical substances or detergents.

All of the makes use of @stonermaneuncut coated in his video are additionally listed right here, alongside an FAQ part and dozens of constructive buyer testimonials. So it does look to be a professional, tried and examined, extensively accessible product.

It’s additionally not a brand new hack. Sea Foam has been mentioned and debated on-line for years, together with on a publish within the r/MechanicRecommendation subreddit from 12 years in the past. The consensus gave the impression to be that it was useful, however didn’t remedy issues on a broader scale past easy cleans, and that it was susceptible to inflicting smoke, with many posters recommending not cleansing your automotive in a busy neighborhood.

“It’s not a fix all. If there is something that could benefit from it it can help. It won’t miraculously fix broken items. It can clean out carbon which could be reducing your engine’s efficiency, but that’s it,” one individual wrote. 

The strongest anecdotal proof comes from YouTube, the place through the years a number of YouTubers have filmed themselves utilizing Sea Foam of their engines to reveal the method and outcomes.

In this video by ChrisRepair, Chris experiments by putting a borescope digicam into his cylinders earlier than and after making use of Sea Foam, this time in spray type. He then contrasts the photographs facet by facet, and there’s a notable distinction, with a big a part of the deposit constructed up across the piston specifically, having been eroded by only one bottle of Sea Foam.

However, a number of boards additionally say that including Sea Foam instantly earlier than an oil change can pull the dust and sludge out with the previous oil. Using Sea Foam at different instances may due to this fact pull sludge into your oil that was in any other case solidified in your engine. This may have adverse impacts, like clogging sensors.

Are there different methods to realize the identical outcomes?

Overall, the proof was combined, with Sea Foam seeming extra of a brief than a everlasting answer.

Luckily, it isn’t the one solution to forestall residue buildup in your engine. As an evaluation by AAA explains, Top Tier gasoline already consists of engine components that assist to stop dust, sludge, and residue buildup.

So, in the event you’re shopping for the most effective gas—you shouldn’t want to make use of Sea Foam in any respect. It may, nonetheless, be an excellent substitute to make use of yearly in the event you’re dwelling in an space the place premium gasoline isn’t available. 

Sea Foam additionally shouldn’t be used as an alternative to real upkeep. No cleaner, additive, or TikTok hack can magically repair a perished gasket or mechanically worn bearing, so use it sparingly whereas ensuring you usually get your automotive checked.

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