PCV Oil Catch Can, see what your engine is burning!

Geez, it is pretty bad when the mod act that way. I would assume that if they have not installed this upgrade, they should not be preaching of the possible harms it could do.

I will be doing this upgrade myself in the next week or so. Thanks for th einfo LT.

Just looked at my filter will over 1000 miles on it.

Nope, none of these supposed solid plugging it up.

Why are people hypothetically arguing their point when they don't even have it installed or oven looked at the filter. Ask all the guys that have installed it and see if this filter is clogging up with this phantom solids that everyone is bringing up, yet doesn't seem to be in the filter I have?

OK, I've said all I can about possible problems associated with this mod. Good luck.

Geez, it is pretty bad when the mod act that way. I would assume that if they have not installed this upgrade, they should not be preaching of the possible harms it could do.

I don't expect you to understand why I am posting about this. Although I made it quite clear in more than one post earlier in this thread, I don't expect you to read the entire thread to find out all you can about the various opinions associated with this mod. I know, it is a lot of work to read this much at one sitting.

The reason I am posting possible problems associated with this mod is I am and have been educated and employed as a scientist for around 30 years and a mechanic for just as long. I am not posting as a mod, I am posting as a scientist who happens to know a lot about this subject. Not everything, just a lot.

And I don't need a filter in my hand or one installed in my truck to know they plug.

Hey, why wouldn't one of the work on my Blazer? I want that red on BAD!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8011948135

I mean obviously it is for Ford but wtf is the difference in the two that would make it not work on my Blazer?

not to challenge the information you posted ... just wanting more info ...


How do you know what the PCV flow rate for a 4.3 is? Is it in the repair manual? Did you test it? If so, how do you test?

I agree with what you said about the breather hose. How does one know when the PCV system is "full" and the breather "comes into play"?












PSI is a measure of pressure. ACFM and SCFM are measurements of flow. There is no"conversion" factor to equate pressure to flow.
The PCV flow rate of a seasoned 4.3L is in the range of 8-10 ACFM (approx 6-8 SCFM).

24.8 SCFM( at 100 psi) = 3.2 ACFM. If this filter really has 5 psi pressure drop at 3.2 ACFM then it is too restrictive for use as described in this thread.
Those who leave this filter installed can do a reality check by monitoring the oil deposits in the PCV inlet breather line (fresh air inlet hose from air filter to valve cover) and deposits on the throttle butterfly. As flow is restricted in the PCV valve line, blowby will be forced to flow out the inlet and will then be mixed with intake air.
Use a Q-TIP to swab the inside of the inlet breather line. Oily residue would only be there if you are flowing backwards.

Look at the shipping rates.

Here is a cheaper one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-OIL-CATCH-TANK-CAN-RESERVOIR-ALUMINUM-ANY-CAR_W0QQitemZ8012671442QQcategoryZ33556QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OIL-CATCH-RESERVOIR-TANK-CAN-CIVIC-ACCORD-INTEGRA-RSX_W0QQitemZ8012717165QQcategoryZ33556QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Oil-Resevoir-Catch-Can_W0QQitemZ8011101795QQcategoryZ33556QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrome-Oil-Catch-Can-Tank-Kit-RSX-CRX-Accord-Prelude-R_W0QQitemZ8012728565QQcategoryZ46098QQrdZ1QQcmdZV iewItem

As with any of these ebay kits, I would upgrade the hose to fuel pressure grade. The stuff they supply is just too thin.

Ahh, good finds! Yes, I will upgrade the tubing. Thanks for the info!

Will be going with this one!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-OIL-CATCH-TANK-CAN-RESERVOIR-ALUMINUM-ANY-CAR_W0QQitemZ8012671442QQcategoryZ33556QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

The only thing I dont like about them is how close the two ports are.

When you get it, pack the inside with extremely coarse stainless steel wool and also extend the intake tube inside of the catch can down so the oil won't come in and be instantly sucked out by the oulet if you catch my drift.

Will do. Just purchased the one thru the link you gave me. Will post pics when done.

Why pack it with stainless steel wool?

I will extend the intake tube as suggested. Good call.

Will do. Just purchased the one thru the link you gave me. Will post pics when done.

Why pack it with stainless steel wool?

I will extend the intake tube as suggested. Good call.

Just asks as a way to slow the airflow and allow more oil to drop out of suspension.

Also keeps the trapped oil down in the catch can.

How do you know what the PCV flow rate for a 4.3 is? Is it in the repair manual? Did you test it? If so, how do you test?

I agree with what you said about the breather hose. How does one know when the PCV system is "full" and the breather "comes into play"?

The PCV flow rates will vary alot due to condition of the engine. The flow rates I posted were based on testing I did with a blow-by flow meter like this one.. http://www.j-tecassociates.com/Engine%20inline2005.htm

If you are backflowing out the breather you will only know it if you see oily residue, or have sludge buildup on your intake piping and throttle butterfly. If you are finding oily deposits on your throttle body / butterfly, it is likely coming from the breather tube.

The PCV flow rates will vary alot due to condition of the engine. The flow rates I posted were based on testing I did with a blow-by flow meter like this one.. http://www.j-tecassociates.com/Engine%20inline2005.htm

If you are backflowing out the breather you will only know it if you see oily residue, or have sludge buildup on your intake piping and throttle butterfly. If you are finding oily deposits on your throttle body / butterfly, it is likely coming from the breather tube.

GM is now using a different PCV valve in some engines to stop excessive oil burning and you can see the difference here.

http://gm-trucks.com/images/Guides/changepcv/pcv_valves.jpg

This PCV valve in a 5.3L V8 puts a lot more restriction in the PCV system but you don't see any problems do you?

my oil catch seems to be catching less. Any ideas or thoughts?

here's the scoop ...

First thirty miles filled almost half the bottle.

Lately, I did a 500 highway trip and about 2 1/2 weeks of 1 miles short trips to work and back. And the bottle is at about 1/4 full.

No driveability problems or noticeable changes in idle. Weather has gotten colder recently. The filter in the oil catch looks like a light brown, "iced-tea" color ...

maybe the question might be, "why did it catch so much in the first 30 miles?"







GM is now using a different PCV valve in some engines to stop excessive oil burning and you can see the difference here.

http://gm-trucks.com/images/Guides/changepcv/pcv_valves.jpg

This PCV valve in a 5.3L V8 puts a lot more restriction in the PCV system but you don't see any problems do you?

my oil catch seems to be catching less. Any ideas or thoughts?

here's the scoop ...

First thirty miles filled almost half the bottle.

Lately, I did a 500 highway trip and about 2 1/2 weeks of 1 miles short trips to work and back. And the bottle is at about 1/4 full.

No driveability problems or noticeable changes in idle. Weather has gotten colder recently. The filter in the oil catch looks like a light brown, "iced-tea" color ...

maybe the question might be, "why did it catch so much in the first 30 miles?"

That is completely normal and EVERYONE is seeing that for some reason.

First 100 miles they see it fill up fast and then barely anything for the remainder of the oil change.

The light tea color is normal and the filter is still perfectly clean.

I've been waiting to reply to this until I had more information on the subject. Reading this thread was the first time that I had heard of doing this. I liked the idea and the theory behind it seemed to have merit, so I tried. I purchased all the parts at AutoZone for $26 and installed it a little over four weeks ago. I noticed that it immediately started collecting stuff, so it seemed to be doing what it was supposed to do. Brian R.'s points made me think about the possible damaging effects the may be caused by the flow restriction. After the first week I had collected about the same amount as shown in the picture that BlazerLT had posted: http://x2.putfile.com/10/28721041441.jpg

I then removed the filter by unscrewing it, and removed the little air deflector as well. I noticed absolutely no change in the engine performance at speed or at idle. I ran it like this for a week and was surprised to see that it was nearly full.

In order to test the results I reinstalled the filter assembly, I ran it like this again for a week and only collected the same amount as I had when the filter was in place before.

I removed the filter assembly again and again it was nearly full in less than a week.

After seeing these results, I've decided to leave the system in place and use it with the filter assembly removed. I recommend all of you that have installed this air/water seperator try it at least for a week without the filter and compare your results to when you had the filter installed, and make your descision on whether or not to use the filter based on your independant results. I expect that most if not all of you will see results similar to what I have seen. The results are obviously due to the flow restriction of the filter.

For those of you that haven't tried it, my suggestion would be to save your money, the amount that you're removing from the sysetm isn't enough to have hurt anything, so overall I'd say that it isn't a very worthwhile mod.

Can I see a picture of your system installed into your truck? I would really like to see it installed in your engine bay to see how a person can install it on a 1996+ engine.

So you are saying that amount of oil being consumed of 1000+ miles is not worthwhile? It might be a little now, but multiply that over hundreds of thousands of miles and you can see the potential of removing on heck of a lot of oil from being burned in to your combustion chambers where it doesn't belong. This is the oil that fouls your plugs and you valves over time and PCV system is there for nothing but emmiossions, not performance or economy.

Deriving a negative conclusion based off what you have said is a little confusing.

Are you saying because it didn't extract a quart full of oil every 3000 miles that it is not a worthwhile mod? If it is not worthwhile, then why are you keeping it installed? Seems contradicting. It is a small investment and is is a worthwhile mod or so many people wouldn't be using it.

For the small investment, you sure will be keeping your engine a lot cleaner and the 1000s of people that use them would agree. The aftermarket industry is full of these PCV catch cans and a lot of higher performance vehicles use them liberally to keep their engine performance from being hindered by foul oil vapor.

Can I see a picture of your system installed into your truck? I would really like to see it installed in your engine bay to see how a person can install it on a 1996+ engine.

So you are saying that amount of oil being consumed of 1000+ miles is not worthwhile? It might be a little now, but multiply that over hundreds of thousands of miles and you can see the potential of removing on heck of a lot of oil from being burned in to your combustion chambers where it doesn't belong. This is the oil that fouls your plugs and you valves over time and PCV system is there for nothing but emmiossions, not performance or economy.

Deriving a negative conclusion based off what you have said is a little confusing.

Are you saying because it didn't extract a quart full of oil every 3000 miles that it is not a worthwhile mod? If it is not worthwhile, then why are you keeping it installed? Seems contradicting. It is a small investment and is is a worthwhile mod or so many people wouldn't be using it.

For the small investment, you sure will be keeping your engine a lot cleaner and the 1000s of people that use them would agree. The aftermarket industry is full of these PCV catch cans and a lot of higher performance vehicles use them liberally to keep their engine performance from being hindered by foul oil vapor.

I drive a little over 1,000 miles a week. With the filter installed I collected about a teaspoon of junk per 1,000 miles. Without the filter I collected about 4 teaspoons of junk per 1,000 miles. That amount would easily be disposed of by the engine.

I'm leaving it on because, I've already paid for the stuff and installed it. I also feel that the system alone (filter not installed) adds enough restriction to cause pollutants to build up in the oil, however, I don't believe this will be much of a factor for me, because I don't push my oil to it's limits, changing it at 6,000 instead of the 10,000+ that it could be pushed to.

I drive a little over 1,000 miles a week. With the filter installed I collected about a teaspoon of junk per 1,000 miles. Without the filter I collected about 4 teaspoons of junk per 1,000 miles. That amount would easily be disposed of by the engine.

The engine is not meant to "dispose" of oil and therefore there will be drawbacks over time.

1 Teaspoon [US] = 0.0052083 quart [US, liquid] = 1000 miles

x 200 = just over a quart of oil consumed

Multiply that by four with the filter removed and you have over 4 quarts of oil consumed over its lifetime.

If you think any engine can consume 4 quarts and have no negative drawback you are seriously mistaken.

I know these are all approximate numbers but I know I dump over 1 teaspoon per 1000 miles with my truck and the amount of oil being trapped will increase as the engine starts to wear and the rings aren't holding as much compression as before.

The trapped oil I get is well over 3 teaspoons per 1000 miles. Getting that oil out of the system before it is burned and gums up my valves, poisons my cat and fouls my plugs is good new to me. It might be a small amount now, but multiply that over time and it adds up and seeing people put a lot more city mileage on their trucks, this will help it even more.

I'm leaving it on because, I've already paid for the stuff and installed it. I also feel that the system alone (filter not installed) adds enough restriction to cause pollutants to build up in the oil, however, I don't believe this will be much of a factor for me, because I don't push my oil to it's limits, changing it at 6,000 instead of the 10,000+ that it could be pushed to.

And, it doesn't cause pollutants to build up, what you are seeing trapped is fuel impregnated blowby oil vapor that would have been going back into your oil that will now be trapped inside the separator. Also, if there was a restriction, your idle would be suffering. No idle problems, no PCV problems. This system keeps your oil cleaner.

For the price, this is a worthwhile mod. It doesn't cost much and the benefits reaped from having a smoother running engine that is not being doused with oil inside the combustion chamber. :D

LOL, I just don't get it, it is not worthwhile, but I will leave it installed? :lol:

Can you do this mod on any engine, such as a '98 Jeep? I have an extra one of those seperator things, bought it for a compressor then ended up buying a new compressor w/one already on it. Also, what is the cause of oil in the throttle body? This occured on a 91 lumina I worked on for someone in the family, went to clean the TB and found a lot of oil running out of it, and also in the air intake hose that attached to the TB. I'm thinking it came from a small hose that attaches to the front valve cover (breather?)

Thanks.

You can install it on any engine.

It is has a PCV system, you can reap the benefits of this simple mod.

It is really helping me in the winter with condensation control and the water it is separating is pretty amazing.

when i first installed the system, the contaminants being separated looked like molassis. then after a few hundred miles, the contaminants started to become more and more liquified. idle has smoothed out a bit also.

Where does one find this product??

all the parts can be found at your local Lowes or Home Depot.

Here is how it looks on my 98 Blazer LS 4x4.

http://img448.imageshack.us/img448/1960/img00166ve.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img448.imageshack.us/img448/9075/img00171us.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Wow, looks like it is catching some good amounts of oil there.

I took that picture after replacing the intake gaskets. Drove around about 50 miles worth in 3 trips. Most of that is from driving agressive and highway driving. I put it back on so I can try to keep the intake as clean as possible after the work I just did on it.

Wow, looks like it is catching some good amounts of oil there.


GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!!!

(just an old Zappa quote for all you old timers ... !!!)

anyhow, I've had this catch-can on for a while now ...

within the first 50 miles ... lots-o-stuff in the catch can ...

... lately ... I've gone a thousand plus miles (stop-n-go "city miles") and yet, nothing new in the catch can ... NOTHING !!!

then, I recently drove 500+ freeway miles and still ... still .. not ANYTHING in the catch-can !!! WTF !!!!

no driveability problems ... no codes ... no nothing ...

CATCH-CAN = 'TEMPORARY BLOW-BY REFLIEF ????'

Can you tell if the line or filter are plugged or not?

Can you tell if it's plugged or not?

does'nt seem to be plugged ...

just, no additional stuff ...

Free EPA friendly mod for me, glad I work with airtools constantly.

Yea, it works wonders and you will be SHOCKED if you saw the light brown condensation it is getting out of my engine lately in this colder weather.

Half full of this stuff every week.

yea but ...

nothing has been 'caught' in at least over a month ...

doesn't seem to matter wheather it's 'city' or 'highway' miles ...

weather has been 30 - 45 Farenheit lately ...

why don't I get 'half full of this stuff' every week ??

is my engine THAT clean ??




Yea, it works wonders and you will be SHOCKED if you saw the light brown condensation it is getting out of my engine lately in this colder weather.

Half full of this stuff every week.

Nothing wrong with nothing coming into it.

Often when you change your oil you will see an accumulation until the oil level settles to a point where the crank is not slapping the oil enough to cause the oil to froth and a bit and be carried in the air.

Remember 30f is not that cold at all, the cold temps I am talking about are much colder than that.

You having nothing in the catchcan is a good thing.

Im putting two on mine, found the crap in the garage for the install today.
I should see alot , the driver side crankcase vent tube was full of nasty nasties, so hopefully this will cure that problem.

Im putting two on mine, found the crap in the garage for the install today.
I should see alot , the driver side crankcase vent tube was full of nasty nasties, so hopefully this will cure that problem.

Actually only use one, two will not do a better job all will actually hinder the cleaning efficiency if you hinder the vacuum too much. The vacuum is the key to sucking up all that vapour and getting it out of the system.

Install one and only one and if you want, just install one large one if you are worrying about capacity. You can get larger more industrial air/water separators. People do use them in this application.

All I know is that I do love to see the crap in the vial rther than in the valve covers. The milky water/fuel/oil mixtures would be going back into my intake and if you saw the stuff you wouldn't be happy.

Actually only use one, two will not do a better job all will actually honder the cleaning efficiency if you hinder the vacuum too much.

Install one and only one and if you want, just install one large one if you are worrying about capacity. You can get larger more industrial air/water separators. People do use them in this application.

All I know is that I do love to see the crap in the vial rther than in the valve covers. The milky water/fuel/oil mixtures would be going back into my intake and if you saw the stuff you wouldn't be happy.


Ive got two PCV ports, and it wont hinder anything, put 30 psi of air thru it, got 30psi on the gauge on the other end, i gutted mine and only left the diaphram on top.



On the TBI motor there are two of these "PCV" hoses, one to the baseplate of the TBI and one to the slip collar around the top( the one that sucks in oil from the top to make your injectors that awful brown)I wasnt worried about capacity just the fact i have two of these lines and the one that dumps oil from the top is the worst of the two for the engine.

You sure there is two?

One is for fresh air going into the block and one is the pcv gas return.

Yea, it works wonders and you will be SHOCKED if you saw the light brown condensation it is getting out of my engine lately in this colder weather.

Half full of this stuff every week.
same here. i love this thing. though one week the stuff thats trapt will be thick and dark brown, the next it will be a runny light brown. im usually dumping it out once every 2 weeks. i try to clean the filter but it looks the same anyway.

same here. i love this thing. though one week the stuff thats trapt will be thick and dark brown, the next it will be a runny light brown. im usually dumping it out once every 2 weeks. i try to clean the filter but it looks the same anyway.

I have the same results, sometimes just oil, sometimes runny light brown water mixed with fuel and oil.

The colder the temperature, the lighter the trapped slurry.

I have a 2000 with 95,000 mi. I changed my intake gasket set yesterday (OH, what fun!) I don't run the PCV "filter" setup ....yet. There was a layer of NASTY, oily dirty crud all over the inside of the intake. On the floor of the manifold, the stuff was prob.1/16" deep or more. Used 2 cans of carb cleaner on it.
Would it be safe to assume the build up is from the blow by etc from the PCV valve, which most of would be removed by the filter/ seperator?

No, that stuff all over everything was probably coolant mixing with the oil.

Moderators: Please don't lock this thread, I am just checking in with an update.

Ok, just checking in after close to a year with this mod.

Nothing but great things to report.

1.) I have to dump it every 3 months or so.
2.) No restriction at all. Fitler is intact and is flowing perfectly. I just cleaned it and not one thing came out of it. It is stained brown, but not one bit of restriction or plugging has occured during the last year.

System is working great! And I am glad that my engine isn't burning all this oil I am dumping.

Anyone else have anything to report?

it was performing well on my 95. dumped it every 2-3 months when the fluid level came up to the filter. The filter was a solid brown but still did not affect function. I just sold that truck so im looking to rig one up on my new one. LT, do you have any pics/suggestions on how to rig one up on a 96+ engine? i have an idea of where to place the seperator but don't know where to route the hoses for best flow.

Very easy, I believe some of the photos in this thread are from 1996+ engines. You just have to work on the driver's side instead of the passengers.

yea i found the pics. doesn't look to hard, although, id like to have it someplace out of the way instead of above the distributor. another project for another day.

it is a good thing to get a white plate every once in a while and dump the contents onto it and see if there is any coolant in it.

The coolant will separate and form small orange blobs in the oil as it settles and spreads on the plate.

Will take overnight to happen, but it will come out.

thats pretty cool, and a good thing to do, especially on the 96+ as an early indicator of lower intake gasket failure

installed one on my new truck today. ill take pics and post them tomorrow.

I am just checking in with an update.
.... after close to a year with this mod.
Anyone else have anything to report?

Let's review. A properly functioning PCV system will pull fresh air in through the hose connected to the other valve cover, through the crankcase , then out through the PCV valve and into the intake manifold.
If the pressure balance in the system is upset, one symptom would be reverse flow- out the fresh air inlet tube. You can easily test to see if this condition is present. Pull the hose from the crankcase fresh air inlet, and swab the inside wall of the hose with a long q-tip. This is the hose that goes from the air intake plenum, right after the air filter. Any amount of carbon dust or oil residue in this hose it is proof of reverse flow. As this condition worsens, you see an increase in oily deposits on the throttle butterfly.
Can those of you running this catch can mod do this hose check and let us know if you see anything? Thanks

i did that test shortly before selling my 95, which i also had a catch can on and saw no signs of reverse flow. i had a catch can on that truck for exactly 1 year.

Let's review. A properly functioning PCV system will pull fresh air in through the hose connected to the other valve cover, through the crankcase , then out through the PCV valve and into the intake manifold.
If the pressure balance in the system is upset, one symptom would be reverse flow- out the fresh air inlet tube. You can easily test to see if this condition is present. Pull the hose from the crankcase fresh air inlet, and swab the inside wall of the hose with a long q-tip. This is the hose that goes from the air intake plenum, right after the air filter. Any amount of carbon dust or oil residue in this hose it is proof of reverse flow. As this condition worsens, you see an increase in oily deposits on the throttle butterfly.
Can those of you running this catch can mod do this hose check and let us know if you see anything? Thanks

This is not a pressuized system, it is a vacuum system.

Had it for a year and the vacuum coming through the catch can is strong enough to leave a large red welt on your finger from it sucking your skin into the tube.

here are some pics of the install on my 2000. after about 30-40 miles, its already started trapping stuff, just like my 95 did.
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1821/catchcan1nh8.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4508/catchcan2dw5.jpg

You might want to arrange it to take a bit out of that longer pice going to the PCV valve.

Loop it so that goes in the area in between the engine and brake booster.

Keep the lines as short as possible for maximum effectiveness.

You might want to arrange it to take a bit out of that longer pice going to the PCV valve.

Loop it so that goes in the area in between the engine and brake booster.

Keep the lines as short as possible for maximum effectiveness.
i tried different lengths of hose and with a shorter hose, i could not get the pcv to sit flat, it would always be on an angle. they way i have it now keeps the valve flat and the hose out of the way and its only about 2-2 1/2ft long, about as long as the piece i used on my 95 to connect the pcv to the seperator. it works fine but i can always try somethin else if it becomes a problem.

ok.

i did that test shortly before selling my 95, which i also had a catch can on and saw no signs of reverse flow. i had a catch can on that truck for exactly 1 year.

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to hear it worked well for you. It's nice to read facts instead of opinions.

I can't wait to do this. 145K and still trucking!

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to hear it worked well for you. It's nice to read facts instead of opinions.

I sincerely hope you are not saying I am shelling out my opinion here.

That would be an uncalled for low blow.

What ?
Sorry for taking an approach that values science and facts over ego's.

What ?
Sorry for taking an approach that values science and facts over ego's.

Please back off, I never said anything ego related to you or treated you rudely at any time here.

I have no problem with you whatsoever so please can you get rid of your hostility, it is not helping anyone in this thread.