Oil catch can

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So I installed an oil catch can on my Scion about 10k miles ago, so it's been through a couple of OCIs. The thing is however, it hasn't caught anything at all. I know of some people that empty it out every OCI and a small but considerable amount drains out. So, what would cause a continuously empty catch can? (install was done correctly so "incorrect install" is definitely not the answer)
 
Afaik the Scion TC is a Toyota Avensis coupe..

An empty catch can could be because;

You have excellent oil control, or
The can has no baffles, or
The can is located in a hot part of the engine bay preventing any vapour from condensing..

Can't really be anything else, so get investigating!
 
You can't diagnose if there even is a problem.
Why don't you show people how you have the catch can connected and let them decide whether it is connected correctly for your vehicle.

Is there an oil film inside the catch can and connecting hoses?
 
Originally Posted By: Olas
Afaik the Scion TC is a Toyota Avensis coupe..

An empty catch can could be because;

You have excellent oil control, or
The can has no baffles, or
The can is located in a hot part of the engine bay preventing any vapour from condensing..

Can't really be anything else, so get investigating!


The bolded is a big deal. No baffles to slow down the vapor prevents the oil from "stripping" away from the air.
 
Originally Posted By: mk378
Pollution is not cool.


Please explain.

A properly routed catch can does not vent to the atmosphere.
 
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Originally Posted By: mk378
Pollution is not cool.

A properly routed catch can does not vent to the atmosphere.


I did not know that. If that is the case with the OP's install, then carry on.
 
Originally Posted By: mk378
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Originally Posted By: mk378
Pollution is not cool.

A properly routed catch can does not vent to the atmosphere.


I did not know that. If that is the case with the OP's install, then carry on.


Might be worthwhile to educate yourself before making comments.
 
Originally Posted By: Luisraul924
what would cause a continuously empty catch can?

There is another possibility that no one seems to have considered up to this point:
That you have insufficient blowby to result in oil in the breather pipe.

If blowby is low, the baffles in the valve cover will be sufficient to capture any vaporized oil that might be in any air that might flow backwards through the breather pipe.

And if this is the case, then you have an engine that is in good condition, and there is nothing to worry about.
 
Originally Posted By: Olas
You have excellent oil control

Not specifically oil-control, but blowby control.

Oil in the breather pipe occurs when blowby volume is too great and fast for the baffles in the valve cover to be able to condense all of the oil-vapor from the air flowing backwards through the breather pipe.

If the compression rings are in good condition, then blowby will be low, and a catch-can will not be necessary to keep the throttle body free of oil.
 
An oil catch can is actually one of the permitted add on devices in California that does not require a CARB EO number. I have one on my Mustang and it catches a bit of oil.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
An oil catch can is actually one of the permitted add on devices in California that does not require a CARB EO number. I have one on my Mustang and it catches a bit of oil.


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I AM surprised (and glad) that your draconian state allows this mod, as there are many others which also do not add to pollution/emissions (and might even lower them as well) which are strictly verboten.
 
For those not quite up to speed.. A catch can is mounted, inline, on the PCV line from the valve cover to the intake manifold. As was stated, no venting to outside. It is just a filtration device in the PCV line to capture oil and particulates out of the crankcase gasses before they go to intake.

had one on my 2013 5.3L AFM motor. It captured quite a bit off of that one. About 1/4 quart between 6000 mile oil changes. Almost matched perfectly the level of oil consumption on the dipstick.

My 2015 6.0L non-AFM motor, it has one too. Considerably less capture. In 6000 miles, it has captured about 2-3 oz. again, almost mirroring the amount the dipstick has dropped. Oil level on stick is only starting to drop below full mark with 6000 miles on the current oil.
 
Originally Posted By: TiredTrucker
For those not quite up to speed.. A catch can is mounted, inline, on the PCV line from the valve cover to the intake manifold. As was stated, no venting to outside. It is just a filtration device in the PCV line to capture oil and particulates out of the crankcase gasses before they go to intake.


Thank you this is exactly how you are supposed to install a catch can and that is exactly how mine is installed. There is oil lining the walls of the container but no real amount of oil being collected. it is sitting a considerable distance from the engine and at a level well below the valvetrain. with it being relatively cool I didn't think it would need a baffle and most catch cans I've seen don't have baffles and they work just fine. I'll be adding a baffle to see if that changes anything. My catch system is not vented to the atmosphere for those worried about pollution. I guess my engine's PCV valve handles the vapor well then. I just wanted to see if anyone here had a similar experience or at least to get some different opinions on the matter. Thank you all for the replies.
 
Originally Posted By: TiredTrucker
had one on my 2013 5.3L AFM motor. It captured quite a bit off of that one. About 1/4 quart between 6000 mile oil changes. Almost matched perfectly the level of oil consumption on the dipstick.


May I ask which one you used? I have a 5.3 that could benefit from one. Thanks.
 
Originally Posted By: Luisraul924
I just wanted to see if anyone here had a similar experience or at least to get some different opinions on the matter. Thank you all for the replies.

Well, it was nice to hear about your experience, too. It's good to hear how things work in different applications. Keep us updated if you make any changes, as you indicate.
 
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