This whole forum is Obsessive-Compulsive... That's the point!
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Oil Catch Can on 2009 Caddy CTS-V (See it working)
- Thread starter StevieC
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Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
How many had direct injection where the gas isn't continually cleaning the valves?
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
How many had direct injection where the gas isn't continually cleaning the valves?
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
While I don't care about oil catch cans, it doesn't sound like you keep cars long enough for it to matter.
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
While I don't care about oil catch cans, it doesn't sound like you keep cars long enough for it to matter.
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
50 years, huh?
I dunno about recent-ish stuff, because I've managed to avoid it, but AFAICR ALL my old cars, probably covering the fist half of that time period, have had some means, as stock (baffling and/or a gauze filter) of intercepting oil vapour from the crankcase ventilation and returning it to the sump.
These old cars were all normally aspirated and nearly all carbureted, so by design they'd be expected to suffer less blowby than a boosted DI engine.
However, perhaps partly because they were old, they mostly showed some coking/gumming up of the carburetor.
This suggests, though it doesn't prove, that a catch can, which does the same job, is likely to do some good.
It seems rather unlikely to do any harm.
The only scam-like aspect I can see to it is the price people are willing to pay for anodized machined-from-billet alu-bling-ium, for something that looks easy to make, but its their money.
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
50 years, huh?
I dunno about recent-ish stuff, because I've managed to avoid it, but AFAICR ALL my old cars, probably covering the fist half of that time period, have had some means, as stock (baffling and/or a gauze filter) of intercepting oil vapour from the crankcase ventilation and returning it to the sump.
These old cars were all normally aspirated and nearly all carbureted, so by design they'd be expected to suffer less blowby than a boosted DI engine.
However, perhaps partly because they were old, they mostly showed some coking/gumming up of the carburetor.
This suggests, though it doesn't prove, that a catch can, which does the same job, is likely to do some good.
It seems rather unlikely to do any harm.
The only scam-like aspect I can see to it is the price people are willing to pay for anodized machined-from-billet alu-bling-ium, for something that looks easy to make, but its their money.
You can get the cheap ones with similar baffling as the expensive Moroso's that are Aluminum for $30.
Even if you did pay the $200 for the Moroso it's cheaper than a crushed walnut valve service.
Even if you did pay the $200 for the Moroso it's cheaper than a crushed walnut valve service.
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Originally Posted by StevieC
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
How many had direct injection where the gas isn't continually cleaning the valves?
Not too many. Here is a list of the most recent vehicles I have owned..
2000 Ford Ranger
2000 Chevrolet Impala
2001 Nissan Xterra
2001 Ram 2500 4x4 PU
2001 Chevrolet Malibu
2010 Ford Fusion SEL
2011 BMW 328i
2012 Mustang GT Premium
2012 Shelby GT 500
2014 Ram 1500 PU
2015 Dodge Challenger R/T
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
2016 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
2017 BMW 330i
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sterling Edition V6
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
How many had direct injection where the gas isn't continually cleaning the valves?
Not too many. Here is a list of the most recent vehicles I have owned..
2000 Ford Ranger
2000 Chevrolet Impala
2001 Nissan Xterra
2001 Ram 2500 4x4 PU
2001 Chevrolet Malibu
2010 Ford Fusion SEL
2011 BMW 328i
2012 Mustang GT Premium
2012 Shelby GT 500
2014 Ram 1500 PU
2015 Dodge Challenger R/T
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
2016 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
2017 BMW 330i
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sterling Edition V6
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8
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Originally Posted by Nick1994
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
While I don't care about oil catch cans, it doesn't sound like you keep cars long enough for it to matter.
Some I keep for a long time. Others very short periods of time. I usually have 3 or 4 at a time, sometimes more. Did a lot more buying, selling, trading in my younger years. As you can see by the list in my post above, I went for a 10 year period of not much activity.
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
While I don't care about oil catch cans, it doesn't sound like you keep cars long enough for it to matter.
Some I keep for a long time. Others very short periods of time. I usually have 3 or 4 at a time, sometimes more. Did a lot more buying, selling, trading in my younger years. As you can see by the list in my post above, I went for a 10 year period of not much activity.
Originally Posted by Ducked
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
50 years, huh?
I dunno about recent-ish stuff, because I've managed to avoid it, but AFAICR ALL my old cars, probably covering the fist half of that time period, have had some means, as stock (baffling and/or a gauze filter) of intercepting oil vapour from the crankcase ventilation and returning it to the sump. These old cars were all normally aspirated and nearly all carbureted, so by design they'd be expected to suffer less blowby than a boosted DI engine.However, perhaps partly because they were old, they mostly showed some coking/gumming up of the carburetor. This suggests, though it doesn't prove, that a catch can, which does the same job, is likely to do some good. It seems rather unlikely to do any harm. The only scam-like aspect I can see to it is the price people are willing to pay for anodized machined-from-billet alu-bling-ium, for something that looks easy to make, but its their money.
Yes 50 years. Started my car "hobby" at 21 years old soon after entering the USAF. Yes that makes me 71 years old. As I mentioned above, it the catch cans do any good, why are they not incorporated into new car designs by the engineers?
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
50 years, huh?
I dunno about recent-ish stuff, because I've managed to avoid it, but AFAICR ALL my old cars, probably covering the fist half of that time period, have had some means, as stock (baffling and/or a gauze filter) of intercepting oil vapour from the crankcase ventilation and returning it to the sump. These old cars were all normally aspirated and nearly all carbureted, so by design they'd be expected to suffer less blowby than a boosted DI engine.However, perhaps partly because they were old, they mostly showed some coking/gumming up of the carburetor. This suggests, though it doesn't prove, that a catch can, which does the same job, is likely to do some good. It seems rather unlikely to do any harm. The only scam-like aspect I can see to it is the price people are willing to pay for anodized machined-from-billet alu-bling-ium, for something that looks easy to make, but its their money.
Yes 50 years. Started my car "hobby" at 21 years old soon after entering the USAF. Yes that makes me 71 years old. As I mentioned above, it the catch cans do any good, why are they not incorporated into new car designs by the engineers?
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But they are. My 2014 Mazda 3 has an oil separator incorporated into the intake manifold / PCV. Mazda says this is done to try to eliminate the oil vapor from going onto the intake valves to prevent carbon build up.
No OEM has one that you have to empty. Most route the oil / water mix back to the sump.
No OEM has one that you have to empty. Most route the oil / water mix back to the sump.
Does the 2.0L and 2.5L engine both have an oil baffle system in the Mazda design ?
I think it's the GM engineers that affect the performance the most.
OP, great thread! Please ignore the haters and the ignorant, your video was great to watch.
I empty about 1-2 ounces of fluid out of my trucks catch can every 1000 miles. That's fluid I don't need coating my heat exchanger, pooling in my manifold, or lowering the octane of my air/fuel charge. My truck isn't stock, and I'm pushing 12lbs of boost through an engine that saw none when it was first built, so anything that can reduce the chances of detonation is a good thing in my mind. The car in the video is also high performance, and could also benefit from removing oil particulates out of the air charge, especially if it isn't stock.
Is it a required part on a stock engine? No. Is it a worthwhile part on some engines? Yes. There are cases of factory cars benefiting (ecoboost Fords), and in my case non-factory cars benefiting.
I empty about 1-2 ounces of fluid out of my trucks catch can every 1000 miles. That's fluid I don't need coating my heat exchanger, pooling in my manifold, or lowering the octane of my air/fuel charge. My truck isn't stock, and I'm pushing 12lbs of boost through an engine that saw none when it was first built, so anything that can reduce the chances of detonation is a good thing in my mind. The car in the video is also high performance, and could also benefit from removing oil particulates out of the air charge, especially if it isn't stock.
Is it a required part on a stock engine? No. Is it a worthwhile part on some engines? Yes. There are cases of factory cars benefiting (ecoboost Fords), and in my case non-factory cars benefiting.
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You know what.. I'm going to get one and put it on and see what it catches. I'll post here.
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Originally Posted by Ducked
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
50 years, huh?
I dunno about recent-ish stuff, because I've managed to avoid it, but AFAICR ALL my old cars, probably covering the fist half of that time period, have had some means, as stock (baffling and/or a gauze filter) of intercepting oil vapour from the crankcase ventilation and returning it to the sump. These old cars were all normally aspirated and nearly all carbureted, so by design they'd be expected to suffer less blowby than a boosted DI engine.However, perhaps partly because they were old, they mostly showed some coking/gumming up of the carburetor. This suggests, though it doesn't prove, that a catch can, which does the same job, is likely to do some good. It seems rather unlikely to do any harm. The only scam-like aspect I can see to it is the price people are willing to pay for anodized machined-from-billet alu-bling-ium, for something that looks easy to make, but its their money.
Yes 50 years. Started my car "hobby" at 21 years old soon after entering the USAF. Yes that makes me 71 years old. As I mentioned above, it the catch cans do any good, why are they not incorporated into new car designs by the engineers?
As I said, in some (maybe too much) detail, they (probably all) have devices that do the same job. As Artem implies, a catch can is probably defined by needing emptied, otherwise its some baffling and hard to distinguish from what the manufacturers do fit.
Not hard to guess why they don't fit something that requires action by the punter.
In any case your argument is an "everything is usually for the best in the best of all possible worlds" argument. Hate to break this to you, but...
Originally Posted by Ducked
Originally Posted by SilverSnake
Had 89 cars and trucks over the last 50 years. Have never installed a catch can on any of them. I have yet to hear of any vehicle manufacturer that installs one from the factory. I think that speaks volumes.
50 years, huh?
I dunno about recent-ish stuff, because I've managed to avoid it, but AFAICR ALL my old cars, probably covering the fist half of that time period, have had some means, as stock (baffling and/or a gauze filter) of intercepting oil vapour from the crankcase ventilation and returning it to the sump. These old cars were all normally aspirated and nearly all carbureted, so by design they'd be expected to suffer less blowby than a boosted DI engine.However, perhaps partly because they were old, they mostly showed some coking/gumming up of the carburetor. This suggests, though it doesn't prove, that a catch can, which does the same job, is likely to do some good. It seems rather unlikely to do any harm. The only scam-like aspect I can see to it is the price people are willing to pay for anodized machined-from-billet alu-bling-ium, for something that looks easy to make, but its their money.
Yes 50 years. Started my car "hobby" at 21 years old soon after entering the USAF. Yes that makes me 71 years old. As I mentioned above, it the catch cans do any good, why are they not incorporated into new car designs by the engineers?
As I said, in some (maybe too much) detail, they (probably all) have devices that do the same job. As Artem implies, a catch can is probably defined by needing emptied, otherwise its some baffling and hard to distinguish from what the manufacturers do fit.
Not hard to guess why they don't fit something that requires action by the punter.
In any case your argument is an "everything is usually for the best in the best of all possible worlds" argument. Hate to break this to you, but...
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Having run GM V8's exclusively in our fleet for decades we find there are oil related issues in a few, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Millions and millions of vehicles running every day without one pretty much does prove they're not needed. We have run our fleet trucks to far beyond 200k miles with no can needed.
They are just wanted by some who imagine they have a cleaner and better engine because of it! We call that a "feel good" mod. There are lots of them out there, feel free to try them all.
Just quit trying to tell all of us we somehow "need" a catch can....
They are just wanted by some who imagine they have a cleaner and better engine because of it! We call that a "feel good" mod. There are lots of them out there, feel free to try them all.
Just quit trying to tell all of us we somehow "need" a catch can....
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Maybe some newer cars have better systems to deal with vapors/oil/moisture pulled from the crankcase. Like some one mentioned, The newer (2012+?) Hemi's claim to have some sort of cyclonic separator. But I don't believe the older Hemi's did. My buddy had a can on his 6.1 Hemi, and it caught quite alot of fluid in 3k miles. On the supercharged mini I installed a can on, the intercooler was filled with nasty stuff. Used a whole can of cleaner to get it all out. And thats just what got stuck in there, everything else went on to the TB and valves. I can't imagine thats good for the intercooler efficiency? Sure the average driver might not have an issue with an oil coated intercooler, but if you are looking for the car to run at its best...
I have one on order from Amazon and it should be here Friday. It has baffling. It was a whole $30. I will install it this weekend (Yes I will take pictures) and then I will document the mileage and what I find all the way along. I don't know if Toyota has a strategy for PCV vapor built into the valve covers or plenum it feeds into but I'm interested to see what it catches if anything.
I intend to run the hoses downward from the PCV into the can and then back up again into the plenum to condense and catch as much as possible. I will also install a 3/8" fuel filter that is cellulose based and see through so that it will catch anything that isn't condensed into the can. This should change colours from yellowish to dark brown if it's catching things the can isn't.
The filter won't be here by this weekend but I will add it to the system as soon as it arrives.
Stay tuned...
I intend to run the hoses downward from the PCV into the can and then back up again into the plenum to condense and catch as much as possible. I will also install a 3/8" fuel filter that is cellulose based and see through so that it will catch anything that isn't condensed into the can. This should change colours from yellowish to dark brown if it's catching things the can isn't.
The filter won't be here by this weekend but I will add it to the system as soon as it arrives.
Stay tuned...
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