PDA

View Full Version : OIL Catch Can + PCV valve system explained!



HeresMyMind
04-13-2009, 06:13 PM
So i noticed I had oil clogging my pcv valve quiet often and that the hose from the crank case to the valve had a good 3mm wall of oil caked onto it. I had done some quick searching on oil catch cans and where they should be installed. a common myth is that they belong between our valve covers and the intake hosing that goes to the intake box. WRONG. the valve cover hoses actually suck air IN to the valve covers hence why there is no oil on those hoses near the valve covers. the actual blow by gasses are sucked up from the crank case and they either enter the intake box or the manifold directly through the pcv valve.

When at idle the throttle body is Closed, so the pcv sits open allowing the blow by gases to enter the intake manifold directly through the pcv valve.

when the idle is OPEN the blow-by gasses get sucked in through the intake box itself. the PCV valve is closed.

SO i found that the best place to install an oil catch can is between the crank and the plastic fitting that T's going to the manifold/air box. This will actually prevent the oil from going into the manifold at all.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/04/2cctnhf-1.jpg

For us N/A people that helps explain some of the mystery of where our oil goes.


now there are 2 different styles of oil catch cans.

1) with fittings only on the top/side. 1 for vacuum the other for the pcv valve hose. oil comes in then falls to the bottom. Drain when filled.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/04/42ac_1JPG-1.jpg

2) fittings on the top and the bottom. (Crawford oil separate for example) the Top is vacuum, the sides are where the blow by gasses enter. the very bottom is so that the oil can drain back into the valve covers. This prevents Oil loss. The oil that drains back into the valve covers isn't burnt or bad. it is in the same condition that the oil in your oil pan is. The oil just seeped by the pistons.
http://store.crawfordperformance.com/system/uploads/415.jpg?1229730127

I hope this helps some people better understand the pcv system and where a Oil separator should be installed. I plan on doing mine within the week and will post results when done!

-B

rougeben83
04-13-2009, 07:08 PM
a common myth is that they belong between our valve covers and the intake hosing that goes to the intake box. WRONG. the valve cover hoses actually suck air IN to the valve covers hence why there is no oil on those hoses near the valve covers.

Maybe you should tell that to both my old ej253 and the ej205 in my car now.

HeresMyMind
04-13-2009, 07:13 PM
that happens if your pcv is Clogged not allowing for a proper flow of air. or so says 90% of the interwebbbbb :-D. check ur pvc hose. how bad is that?

-B

Reason
04-13-2009, 11:18 PM
I tried to explain this to him too. Don't believe everything you read on the web. Like in our IM's earlier I understand how a PCV valve works. I also understand how the crank case vents work too. I have yet to taken my CAI off to see if any oil is coming in, but in my LGT, Accord and Neon all had some oil (not tons) coming in from the crank case. Yea you can do just the PCV valve and call it a day. But I drive my cars hard and oil likes to come out where ever it can.

Reason
04-13-2009, 11:19 PM
that happens if your pcv is Clogged not allowing for a proper flow of air. or so says 90% of the interwebbbbb :-D. check ur pvc hose. how bad is that?

-B

I change my PCV valve quite frequently. I never have an issue with them getting clogged. I'm just curious, where did you get your numbers sir? (90%)

T_F_E
04-13-2009, 11:20 PM
Awesome post, very informative! :smt023

decke48
04-13-2009, 11:21 PM
my pvc clean as a whistle. valve cover hose insides are covered in oil. pvc valve only works at idle or crusing speed to vent the case. otherwise the case vents through the valve covers

HeresMyMind
04-13-2009, 11:32 PM
my pvc clean as a whistle. valve cover hose insides are covered in oil. pvc only works at idle or crusing speed to vent the case. otherwise the case vents through the valve covers

thats not how it works.

the crank case vents no matter what. the tubing has a Y adapter 1 goes to the intake mani and 1 to the intake tubing. under any load the pcv shuts off and it enters through the intake tubing. when idle the pcv is open allowing it into the manifold directly (since at idle the TB is closed so it couldnt be sucked through the intake tubing)

-B

xXGTBspecXx
04-13-2009, 11:51 PM
no oil in my intake and pcv is not there any moe lol

decke48
04-13-2009, 11:54 PM
:smt024 85% of stuff on the internet is misleading infomation

xXGTBspecXx
04-13-2009, 11:57 PM
^ that is 100% correct

rougeben83
04-14-2009, 12:39 AM
well ideally you should have a catchcan on both systems (not ONE catchcan for BOTH though, that's the worst thing you can do). Cc is a common upgrade for turbocharged cars and can be helpful in n/a applications as well, it's not just oil that these things catch its also the condensation that ends up as slimy looking water in your can...especially in the wintertime :smt002

Oil in these lines also has to do a lot with what oil you use. I remember when I ran 5w30 syntec in the turbo motor, I would lose about .5qt's per oil change. Most of this ended up in my intake tract...I have the oily residue in my IC pipes to prove it. (not to mention the nice oily residue at the crankbreather inlet on my intake tube, hence my first comment). Switch to heavier 10w30 and now german castrol and have not lost any oil ever since...which also means my catchcans have yet to catch anything :razz: :p

If you want to just see how much oil you're getting in each system (either out of curiosity or to gauge which one to put a cc to if you only have one can), just get one of those $3 plastic FRAM fuelfilters from walmart and plumb it inline. You can also use one of those $10 moisture traps for air compressors from home depot (need barb fittings though).

http://gallery.indystars.org/d/43604-2/Purolator+Fuel+Filter+Catch+Can+Closeup.jpg

xXGTBspecXx
04-14-2009, 08:45 AM
percentages are fun.. il be getting a ctach can for my wagon soon.

ShadowGT
04-14-2009, 02:51 PM
Nice post and in my case, timely too. Love this site.
I'm in the process of installing my catch can. Going to get my correct hoses in about 30 minutes. I found a spot over on the left fender wall, right where the snorkus crap used to go. Just need to finish mounting the bracket.
I make that sound like a big deal.. just bend some metal dammit!