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oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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kiteman
Novice
Nov 13, 2011, 7:29 PM
Post #1 of 10
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oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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i have done research on this topic and have never received a straight answer. i am wondering about the validity of these catch can devices. i have seen alleged pictures of intakes and cylinders after many miles with oil build-up and people claiming a catch can would have eliminated all of the oil residue present. i have yet to see the internals of an engine with a catch can installed. i have seen the oil the catch can's extrapolate, but i have no idea of how much oil gets by these devices either.
i have been told by GM engineers (my car is a GM) that a catch can is a crap device created by someone wanting to earn an extra buck. i have read the contrary on many car forums. from the mechanics out there...what's the scoop? are they necessary or is it just a very well marketed and bogus device? appreciate all honest responses.
(This post was edited by kiteman on Nov 13, 2011, 7:31 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 13, 2011, 7:53 PM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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It's a bunch of crap. If you are finding that much oil in the intake system, then it's time to look a new motor because that one has too much blowby and it's worn out.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 14, 2011, 6:03 AM
Post #3 of 10
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Re: oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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Catch can is nothing more than an oil vapor separator. There are a lot of factory engines that use an oil vapor separator in their PCV systems. Quad 4, Duratec, BMW, Mercedes, VW/Audi, just to name a few, use an oil vapor seperator of some type in their engines. Most of systems are designed to allow the captured oil to drain back into the crankcase. Most valve cover designs incorporate some type of oil vapor separation technology.
BMW M5 oil vapor separator system:
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 14, 2011, 6:11 AM)
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kiteman
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Nov 14, 2011, 12:46 PM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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Catch can is nothing more than an oil vapor separator. There are a lot of factory engines that use an oil vapor separator in their PCV systems. Quad 4, Duratec, BMW, Mercedes, VW/Audi, just to name a few, use an oil vapor seperator of some type in their engines. Most of systems are designed to allow the captured oil to drain back into the crankcase. Most valve cover designs incorporate some type of oil vapor separation technology. BMW M5 oil vapor separator system: thanks for that. i have an ls3 engine (chevrolet) and was told that it is does not have the greatest pcv/oil vapor separator systems. but that could be true, and still wouldn't convince me if the catch can were a necessary addition. |
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 14, 2011, 5:05 PM
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Re: oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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I'm not sure about the LS3 engine, but the LS1 had a crappy designed PCV system and a lot of people where putting catch cans on them. Are you seeing a lot of oil in the intake? I don't think that enough LS3s have trickled down into the independent shops as of yet, so we don't know if this is actually a problem or not. There are currently no TSBs on the issue either.
HT is right that if your engine were to have excessive blow-by because of a ring issue, a catch can isn't going to help too much. It is also important to be sure the PCV system is functioning properly if you are seeing an excessive amount of oil laying in the intake.
What is the reason you want to install a catch can?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 14, 2011, 5:06 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 14, 2011, 5:16 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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That component with do nothing for the longevity of your engine. If you aren't getting any oil in the intake box now, then it will serve no purpose at all. If you are, then it will just keep your intake cleaner.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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kiteman
Novice
Nov 14, 2011, 5:18 PM
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Re: oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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so if a catch can won't improve the longevity of the engine but will keep the intake cleaner (assuming hypothetically my engine were getting oil in the intake), is there a benefit to a cleaner intake besides it just being clean? (i.e. no loss in power, less maintenance items, etc.)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 14, 2011, 5:20 PM
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Re: oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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If it got dirty enough it could effect idle quality but you're getting way ahead of yourself if you don't even have a blowby issue.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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kiteman
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Nov 14, 2011, 9:47 PM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: oil catch cans - hype or necessary?
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not sure if you guys are interested, but here is a pic of the ls3 without a catch can (page 1) and then one with a catch can (page 2). i don't know the mileage on the 2nd one yet.
Link deleted..............not allowed
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 15, 2011, 4:04 AM)
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