Oil catch can

[Shimy87]

Hey guys, anyone install one of these? Thoughts??

[Scoobum]

No. It's a band aid solution for a blowby issue.

[reality]

https://allcarandtruck.com.au/articles-blog/catch-cans#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20catch%20can,then%20through%20the%20intake%20system.

[Steve Wood]

a catch can can be very beneficial as combustion pressures are much higher on turbo cars than naturally aspirated car so it is obvious that more pressure will cause more air to slip past the rings into the crankcase.

This was not a major problem on our cars running engines in reasonable conditions at near stock boost.  Obviously as mileage accumulates, more combustion gases get pushed into the crankcase.  I don't think cans are really an obvious benefit on lower boosts and engines in decent condition.  If the blow by is obviously more than normal, then it might be of more use but it's kinda like closing the barn door after the horses have run away. 

Race cars looking for most consistent performance probably benefit more.  40 psi of boost has its own problems

[jonasterg]

Shimy87, I just took mine off after an engine rebuild/refresh; builder capped the PCV valve.

I was running a JLT 3.0 Oil Separator (1999-2004 Cobra), & 3/8" Kynar checkvalve.  I'll put it up for sale on tb.com in the next few days, in case you're interested.  It seemed to work okay, but I think it was simply masking an underlying issue in the engine as Scoobum said.

[Shimy87]

I'm still on the fence. I agree its a bandaid kinda thing. I dont have a rebuild in the near future and mines getting tired and leaky....kinda like me......so I was researching these

[Steve Wood]

Some of us have been known to spend a lot more money on things that don't work in reality so I don't see a problem with a catch can.  Lot cheaper, and more permanent than a rebuild if you put a ton of miles on the engine.

If your vacuum block is full of oil, I think it is a good investment.  After all, any oil vapor in the intake air is going to lower the effective octane of the air fuel mixture and there will also be less build up on the valves, pistons, etc.

[SuperSix]

I see no reason NOT to run one in any turbocharged car. I plan on installing one in the wife's '16 2l Fusion. Mostly to try to keep the valves clean as it's a direct injection engine.

[nocooler]

I never ran one on my turbo Buicks, but I have dual catch can setup on my firebird. The first can uses a PCV and vacuum, but once boost hits a check valve closes and then the breather tank takes over and vents all the crankcase pressure to atmosphere. So far it seems to be working well, and I get mostly water/alcohol (e85) in it, but it's like maybe a 1/4 teaspoon every pass.