ebay catch can install

[Grafton]

Per Request

I bought my catch can from this seller:
http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/whiteg35/

EXTREMELY fast shipping i got a tracking number in a half hour after i paid.

Anyway

the ebay kit comes with:
just enough tubing if you don't jack it up
5 small hose clamps
1 large "mounting" clamp
1 small section of larger tubing
1 adaptor from small tubing to larger tubing
1 useless plug
2 bolts and 2 nuts
angle mounting brackets

you can make this work but it takes some effort :D

Mounting - this is up to you but the best option imho is close to the AC filter where i have mounted it, the brake bias valve is mounted there as well. There is a 12mm or 14mm bolt that you can use to mount the first bracket but you need to drill out a slot so that the bolt fits through. using the 2 supplied bolts attach the other bracket (with the curve) unscrew the large hose clamp and feed it around the catch can mount the can and tighten down the clamp 7mm socket works best. bam she's mounted :D

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9570/dscn0101m.jpg

plumbing the catch can in - I am not going to lie this part SUCKS. you need to have some superglue and a short piece of tubing that the supplied tubing fits into and that will fit onto the the pcv valve on the intake manifold
pop off the tube that runs from the pcv valve to the plastic y piece ( you wont miss it ) use the wider piece of tubing to go to from the top of the y to the adapter part and then to the normal tubing to one of the nipples on the catch can. make the "tubing adapter" by super gluing the supplied tubing into the short part you supply, hook that up and your finished :D

From the engine block to the catch can
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3290/dscn0102x.jpg

line from the catch can to the pcv valve
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/347/dscn0103.jpg

[hallowpoint]

pictures, just ordered mine

[green97gt]

+ 1 need pics\

[Grafton]

pictures coming, soon as soon as i get over the flu

[Grafton]

pictures are up and look @ this :
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2849/dscn0104f.jpg

that's just from the 28th to today the 8th and approximately 900 miles. seems to be a worth while $20 invertment

[Navi271]

Test fitted mine today when I had some spare time. Figured out mine can NOT fit there due to an aftermarket intake (WeaponR). It hardly fit without the braket so it definitely doesn't fit with it on. I'll post pics of what I come up with, I have a good idea of what I'm gonna do, so then other ppl know what to do.

[rudgers73]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the function of the catch can? To knock out vaporized oil and junk via the valve covers/intake manifold?

[Grafton]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the function of the catch can? To knock out vaporized oil and junk via the valve covers/intake manifold?

right in one, i the best location on an NA (imho) is from the crankcase to the pcv valve, keeps a ton of oil vapor and "junk" out of the intake manifold and off of the intake valves :D

[green97gt]

so do you have to drain it when it gets full? or does it drain itself?

[Grafton]

you have to drain it as its gets full, i have about 3000 miles on mine and its about 1/3rd full i am going to change my oil tomorrow and drain it to avoid forgetting

[Mikey97D]

Great write up.

Do you have any data on fuel savings since making the change?

I've seen a 1 mpg drop since the oxygenated/ethanol switch for winter fuel came.

Thanks,
Mike

[Grafton]

i did a bunch of mods back to back so i don't have a fuel mileage impact, i doubt it has any difference with or without, this mod should effect however is the octane rating of what gets into the combustion chamber, and less gunk in the intake track. ie better restance to knocking and cleaner intake valves

the reason i think that you achieve a higher effective knock resistance in the combustion chamber is because your no longer burning oil vapor along with your air/fuel mix ( i believe oil has a low octane rating )

[Navi271]

This is where I mounted mine.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/11/IMG_0490-1.jpg

Just to give ppl some other ideas on where to mount it. There are bolts all around there you can mount this to. I just couldn't mount it where grafton's is because my weaponR intake is in the way.

[immortal1kon]

so my catch can came with a little sticker sheet and what seems like 2 gaskets for the top inlets. but it is preassembled do i need to take them off and use the gaskets or are those just replacements?

ps .... i love how the catch can is almost the same as the quicksilver on my car if it was brand new with a bazzilion dollar Detail job.

[Navi271]

Mine didn't come with gaskets. I didn't think there were any.. I think it'll be fine without them but if it worries you then just take it apart and see or put them on. I took mine apart just to see it all for fun, it's easy.

[Navi271]

So I was thinking that I'd maybe uninstall this because it wasn't picking anything up.. It's been A$$ cold recently, opened the hood to clean out the snow from the last blizzard and just check the oil catch can meter and it went from nothing the last time i looked at it to like 2/5's full! All the subzero starts really strain the engine I guess (who knew, LOL) Glad it have this!!

[99gtlimited]

I installed my catch can tonight. I took me about an hour and a half to figure total to out a mounting location, design and fabricate a bracket, and install the catch can.

here's the bracket i made, it's about 4 inches long with 3 3/8" holes
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/12/catchcanbracket-1.jpg

I attached the bracket to the can prior to installation, so I only had to tighten one bolt.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/12/catchcanbr-1.jpg

Here it is installed
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/12/ccinstalled-1.jpg

[Grafton]

looks good

[immortal1kon]

installed mine with very minimal tools and pieces in about 15min also had a good 6 inches left of hose.
the only thing is that i feel like on the inside of the can the intake should have a pipe extended down a little cause i feel like some of the oil just gets sucked in and out the other hole. but then again i did some research and the better catch cans have baffles inside and a filter, apposed to the ebay ones which are just hollow canisters. ill take some pics of my setup tomorrow. but i think the next time i take it off i might try to see if i can fit a plate in between the 2 holes on top to separate the oil flow. that or a mini filter on the of the can. anythoughts ?

[Psymon]

y would one need a catch can?...

[immortal1kon]

high mileage engines and rebuilt engines have smoothed down cylander walls so the stock piston rings dont seal as great and you get whats called blow back smoke which gets recirculated through your intake to be burned. the more oil that goes through the pcv the worse because it lowers your octane levels in your air fuel mix causing knock,420CEL,hesitation,gunks up the internals.

[immortal1kon]

i dont know if i have installed incorrectly or what but i checked my catch can today and it was full of water and a few oil spots in the water. could it be from condensation in the tubes? and how can i fix this ?

[1-3-2-4]

Hmm sounds interesting

[99gtlimited]

was it actually full? or was there just water in it?

[Grafton]

water is one of main things that that the catch can will catch, every time i empty mine it is very watery oil nasty looking stuff, I'll have to record it next time *shudder*

[Huffer]

^^ water vapor from the blow-by...hot air + oil vapor, cools down in the catch can = oil + water.

[immortal1kon]

ok well when i emptied it, it was about half full but i think i was suprised cause i didnt see any change in the level indicator since it was just watery. but i am getting alot of the milky oil through blow back and it is just going in to the pcv still because when it gets sucked in to the catch can it goes directly back out since the holes are not seperated and i end up with residue coming out of the return line and into the pcv

[Navi271]

That's what you get for a $20 ebay catch can! I have to same thing happening with mine. Maybe we should get a brand name more expensive one...

EDIT: Just got a bright idea, possibly just MODIFY it?? It still catches a lot of it.

[99gtlimited]

I'm going to try and come up with a good modification for this next time I'm back in Seattle.

[99gtlimited]

I might try and modify this thing tomorrow, but for now it's good to know that it works! The oil doesn't even look that bad, still very golden.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/01/IMG_4696-1.jpg

[99gtlimited]

look what came out! YUCK!!!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/02/0131002031-1.jpg

[1-3-2-4]

wow... nasty...

[Navi271]

yep! that's how mine looks too. A watery, oily mess! I decided that I'm going to make a custom bracket and mount it somewhere more visible...

[1-3-2-4]

I wonder if I want to do this.. how much cutting is needed?

[Grafton]

unless you make a custom mount, you only need to enlarge one bolt hole to mount the can in the same spot i did

[WESTcoast]

how often wopuld it need to be dumped?? everytime your do your oil change or when you feel like it?

[99gtlimited]

just monitor the level and empty as needed. seems to need it more often in colder weather, so I'd imagine maybe twice during winter and once during summer/spring... still kinda feeling this thing out.

[Grafton]

at least every oil change for me , i shoot for every 1500 miles, i just stop at an advance auto, pop the catch can out and take it inside to the oil recycling and empty.

and if you run @ WOT a lot ( ie more than half the time the car is running ) the can wont fill up very much, this year during tristate i was @ WOT all the time, and hardly put any oil into the can

[immortal1kon]

the ebay catch can is great for the price but it has a major flaw that many Subaru owners overlook. these catch cans are designed for a single cylinder car because it has one line running from the cylinder head to the pcv valve. in order to correctly filter our cars you must remove the line going from the drivers side cylinder head from the torque box as well as the passenger side going to the pcv, then connect both lines to each other using a T fitting and then run that line to the catch can. thus the catch can will catch more debris.

[jey]

I suppose it would work with a car with multiple cylinders, but not one with multiple heads.

[Grafton]

the ebay catch can is great for the price but it has a major flaw that many Subaru owners overlook. these catch cans are designed for a single cylinder car because it has one line running from the cylinder head to the pcv valve. in order to correctly filter our cars you must remove the line going from the drivers side cylinder head from the torque box as well as the passenger side going to the pcv, then connect both lines to each other using a T fitting and then run that line to the catch can. thus the catch can will catch more debris.

but most of the oil vapor is not coming from the heads, it's coming from the crankcase vent and going to the pcv valve therefore this single hook-up can works wonders for us in the na world

[immortal1kon]

yeah i thought about what i said after. but you can connect it to the catch can

[Drakien]

Just ordered mine! Now the fun part...the waiting game. :(

[Drakien]

Well it arrived! And of course I could barely wait til I was off work to install it! (It was USPS and arrived overnight!)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/07/390029287-1.jpg

[TGX4776]

oh, that was quick (TWSS).

[EJScoob]

Greets,
In that person's eBay store, do I just get any "universal" can?
Like this one - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-OIL-CATCH-CAN-CIVIC-INTEGRA-B16-B18-B20-K20-/220661020008?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item33606bf568

So are we still working on the "upgrade" for the can? ie. filter, etc. :)

Would this model can be any better - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-TURBO-RESERVOIR-OIL-CATCH-CAN-TYPE-RS-S13-S14-/320583713316?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa4474224 ?

As far as looking for a different make compared to the eBay one, has anyone found a good replacement?

Grafton - *wow* on the ground wire upgrade - could you advise a fellow EJ22 NA brother on this? :)

[Grafton]

it just looks the the other one is bigger and costs more lol, but yeah correct items either way, I havn't thought of messing with the can, it catches plenty of blow by for me the way it is, if you want it to catch better, stuff stainless steel wool in it so there is more surface area to condense on

and as far as the grounding mod hit up my rides thread lot's of detail's in there about it.

[EJScoob]

Got muh 'can in today!
Mounting wasn't too bad, there's just one main wiring harness in the way a bit where the bottom of the can was going but no biggie, as I don't feel like cutting into the harness since it's so close to the engine.
If there didn't just happen to be an extra bolt hole on this extended mount below the "igniter" with a PERFECT matching thread size/type for the provided bolts I woulda been screwed, as I didn't have the same mounting plate that Grafton/the rest of you guys had since mine's RHD/A '94 model. It's like it was just begging for a catch can to be installed there :lol:

I had to route the blue bypass hoses from the kit through underneath the main big air intake tube and between the OEM bypass hoses (that go into the air tube); It was a pretty tight squeeze but it works. Way too many hoses comin out of that thing, it's like an octopus hahaha

One of the bypass hoses from the kit went up into the OEM PCV short hose and fit like a glove, secured that with a thick zip tie where the blue hose goes in, just to be sure.
The short OEM PCV to crankcase hose was inindated pretty badly with residue/gunk on the inside, so I spent a good 15 minutes scrubbing that crap out with an old toothbrush and degreaser, so high mileage guys take note.

I didn't have to use super glue on mine for the "small section of tubing", ie. The top of the "T" connector coming from the crank case - I secured a different part of the small tubing with the 2 hose clamps that were provided with the kit by moving the top hose clamp on the small tubing in Grafton's pic to secure where it meets the "T" fitting (bottom part of the small tubing). The other clamp is in the same place as Grafton's where it secures the small tubing to the provided metal insert.

Also, Grafton had noted something about running the hose from the crankcase to the fitting on the top of the can with the longest drain tube which would be the fitting towards the edge of the can, since I PM'd him about if it mattered how the hoses were routed to the can.
And he also stated something about putting steel wool inside the can to increase surface area - but according to another thread in a different forum, the steel can rust ("BTW: I would not want steel-wool rusting up inside of the catch can. Especially if you have a drainback installed. I've heard of using that plastic materal from a shower scrubby."). Since there is no internal baffle/filter in these generic eBay 'cans, it would probably be advisable to stuff this kind of thing in there...

I think a great addon would be to put a Fumoto/Dorman drain valve at the bottom of the can too, for "that was easy" purposes :grin:
If someone would be so kind as to find out the correct thread type/size, that would be great!

Another note, I had to install the gasket material (provided with kit) myself by undoing the top fittings on the can with a hex bit, installing the gaskets, then reinstalling the top fittings.

Thanks for the details and help!

Someone asked me why parts stores don't market catch cans? Good question...

[EJScoob]

I wonder what these ricers are thinking here:
http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?s=1cb2eff145cc799f06d2f28445bae89c&p=40642&postcount=10

An air/oil seperator for a compressed air tank?!

[EJScoob]

Pics...

[Navi271]

My turn!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/09/IMG_1051-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/09/IMG_10521-1.jpg

Just posted this on my members ride thingy too.

[Reason]

I wonder what these ricers are thinking here:
http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?s=1cb2eff145cc799f06d2f28445bae89c&p=40642&postcount=10

An air/oil seperator for a compressed air tank?!

What's the problem? That actually works good. I had the same thing on my accord. I've been looking for one locally. I like it because it is small and can be hidden.

[EJScoob]

Navi - Yellow, but by no means mellow :lol:

Reason - Didn't say there was a problem? Just cought me off guard, seemed like a more high-pressure thing to me...

[d1giPhux]

Do you think its better to be taking this oil out of the engine? Does the catch can not recycle it? I don't really get how this could improve much??

[Navi271]

Navi - Yellow, but by no means mellow :lol:

I know right? Now I need a yellowtop battery! haha. I love how my engine bay looks entirely different from the outside of the car.

[Grafton]

Do you think its better to be taking this oil out of the engine? Does the catch can not recycle it? I don't really get how this could improve much??
in this case if you regually check you oil like your supposed to it's fine, does not recycle, you need an AOS and they cost $$$$, oil lowers the octane rating of the a/f going into your motor lower octane = more knock prone/ less timing / less potential power

[EJScoob]

Probably would have gone with another setup if I had read this before (from the Crawford AOS FAQ):
"Why go with a Crawford Air/Oil Separator, rather than a catch can? - With our AOS your oil will stay in the crankcase instead of outside the motor in a catch can. This will avoid the unpleasant surprise of finding out you do not have enough oil in your motor to properly supply the bearings. Because our motors are horizontally opposed, they are susceptible to pushing oil out the valve covers unlike an inline or V shaped motor. Our AOS pulls a vacuum on the crankcase creating a more efficient motor which equals more power from the same setup. A catch can cannot do this. Our customers say their motors run smoother after removing their catch can and installing our AOS."

That AOS is *expensive* - http://store.crawfordperformance.com/store/products/451
Now to figure out what a NA user would do with the 2 extra holes on the Crawford...

[Huffer]

Grimmspeed (i think) makes an AOS that is a lot cheaper than the Crawford model.

[EJScoob]

Grimmspeed (i think) makes an AOS that is a lot cheaper than the Crawford model.

- Won't work (from Grimm's tech support):
"I'm sorry but this is only designed to work with turbo application motors.
The NA pcv/breather system does not function properly with our aos."

So if anyone gets a Crawford to work, keep us posted

[02_Legacy]

- Won't work (from Grimm's tech support):
"I'm sorry but this is only designed to work with turbo application motors.
The NA pcv/breather system does not function properly with our aos."
They have install instructions for NA applications:
https://www.grimmspeed.com/install_guides/subaru_aos_na.pdf
and they have it listed under the Impreza RS/L which are NA.
And under FAQ they say it will fit ALL subaru models.
http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=60_33_35_112&products_id=191

[EJScoob]

- Won't work (from Grimm's tech support):
"I'm sorry but this is only designed to work with turbo application motors.
The NA pcv/breather system does not function properly with our aos."
They have install instructions for NA applications:
https://www.grimmspeed.com/install_guides/subaru_aos_na.pdf
and they have it listed under the Impreza RS/L which are NA.
And under FAQ they say it will fit ALL subaru models.
http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=60_33_35_112&products_id=191


Umm... tech support FAIL, -1! :smt011
Thank you, 02. :smt023 I think I've found my AOS!
Maybe one thing though concerning the older EJ's for Step 3 - my intake doesn't have that
hose shown the left side of the pic.

I wonder which "model" to select for a NA setup though?
ie. 02-07 WRX or the other one?

$149 for "factory seconds"!! http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=99&products_id=209
Maybe a group buy would be in order? :grin:

***WAIT***
Umm, just got am e-mail reply from my first support question to them:
"This product has been discontinued because people were having problems with it on N/A applications. Please do not run this on your N/A application."
W T F ?! :-?

[Huffer]

I think I'm about to pull the trigger on an ebay catch can. Can't hurt.

[jewbaru]

is there a reason why all of you guys picked the cylinder style catch opposed to the rectangle?

[Huffer]

Less room needed, and it drains faster as it's a cylinder.

[jewbaru]

this looks like a pretty useful mod for 13 bucks. plus it adds some eye candy under the hood. hmmmm. must order

[Navi271]

This is like the 3rd time I've changed the location of this mod around so...
Moved up by the strut tower.
And new hoses because the yellow ebay ones were smelly.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_1235-1.jpg

Bolted up right here

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_1237-1.jpg

It's the same place Grafton put his.

[chuckthefuk]

ummm i know this is a no-no but usually I/people I know never re-circulate the catch can.. we just leave the drain plug off :-/

Its a constant annoying habit to drain the can and who really wants nasty vapor in there intake system..

Just the two hoses from the covers to the can and your done ..

Not recommend but it works :-/

-Chuck

[jewbaru]

so your saying you have oil leaking on your car?

[chuckthefuk]

More on the road then on my car. Some people put a hose on the drain plug and let it dangle by the frame rail ....

-Chuck

[jewbaru]

hmm, seems a lot easier, but IMO id still want to see how much i was collecting on each oil change

[chuckthefuk]

you can always get a 3 port catch can.. 2 ports to the PCVs and 1 vented... drain plug installed and it will just collect and exhaust out the vented port.

To each their own
-Chuck

[Navi271]

So I've been reading about the GrimmSpeed AOS and I'm still not sure. Just because I already have a catch can that does catch stuff. The AOS would put the oil back into the system, but after emptying out my catch can I'm not sure if I even want that stuff back in my engine. Isn't the water vapor bad for it??? I mean sure emptying the catch can is a pain, but do I even want that water/oil vapor crap back in the system??

Maybe I should just invest in a better catch can someday instead of an AOS.

[Garrison]

If you guys are looking for a better way to filter your catch cans, I picked up a trick off of NASIOC.
You can take a loofa (sp) from your shower *or preferably new* and cut the rope wrapped around it off, then cram the mesh netting into the catch can. Voila, inexpensive filter.

[subydrift]

I have a question about this. I see that you guys are running the vertical line from the crank case into the catch can and then back through the PCV valve, isn't that same junk still getting into the intake via the lower hose that plugs into the intake pipe/torque box? Wouldn't it be a better setup to T those 2 lines together and run them both into the catch can and then into the PCV valve? Just an observation I had. I'm ordering one for my 97' Outback today.

[subydrift]

Just ordered mine! $18.99 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SILVER-R ... 2a0ddd5976 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SILVER-ROUND-BILLET-ALUMINUM-OIL-CATCH-TANK-CAN-750ML-/180621236598?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a0ddd5976)

*Edit: gonna be here Friday! Sweet!

[ShadowGT]

Just got mine in since I accidentally broke the other square one I had. Need to wait to put in my CAI before I put this in.

[Navi271]

I have a question about this. I see that you guys are running the vertical line from the crank case into the catch can and then back through the PCV valve, isn't that same junk still getting into the intake via the lower hose that plugs into the intake pipe/torque box? Wouldn't it be a better setup to T those 2 lines together and run them both into the catch can and then into the PCV valve? Just an observation I had. I'm ordering one for my 97' Outback today.
Makes sense to me, and come to think of it, why is there that extra line? Originally the upper hose goes into the side of the intake manifold, and then like you said, the lower hose toes to the intake pipe. So... why do they split up? They both go to the same place right?

[Grafton]

I have a question about this. I see that you guys are running the vertical line from the crank case into the catch can and then back through the PCV valve, isn't that same junk still getting into the intake via the lower hose that plugs into the intake pipe/torque box? Wouldn't it be a better setup to T those 2 lines together and run them both into the catch can and then into the PCV valve? Just an observation I had. I'm ordering one for my 97' Outback today.
Makes sense to me, and come to think of it, why is there that extra line? Originally the upper hose goes into the side of the intake manifold, and then like you said, the lower hose toes to the intake pipe. So... why do they split up? They both go to the same place right?

I believe it's for when there is not any vacuum from the pcv valve, even before i put the catch can on, very little "gunk" was going pre-throttle body via that extra tube. Also judging by the amount of stuff collected by the catch can I'm willing to say it works well enough.

[Navi271]

well that's true, I pick up a lot of oil through the way I have it hooked up. (like everyone else on here too) It's obviously working, just wanted to make sure I'm not letting some get by so easily!

[ESSYMOND]

Newbie question,

But can someone clearly explain where each tube runs and where the useless plug goes? I've mounted it, but I stared blankly at the equipment not knowing what to do lol

[Garrison]

Newbie question,

But can someone clearly explain where each tube runs and where the useless plug goes? I've mounted it, but I stared blankly at the equipment not knowing what to do lol
Maybe you shouldn't be working on your own car...?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_1235-1.jpg

[ESSYMOND]

Thanks,

but i believe its all a learning process, so im currently learning. Bet you were bad with cars to begin with too.

[Huffer]

^^ Truth. People should look at my posts from 4 years ago. :lol:

[Huffer]

Newbie question,

But can someone clearly explain where each tube runs and where the useless plug goes? I've mounted it, but I stared blankly at the equipment not knowing what to do lol

It's pretty easy - you're basically taking one tube, and putting a filtering system in-line - the air vapor passes through it, and because of the cylinder, the heavier particles (the oil and junk) fall to the bottom. The cleaner air continues back out of the filter (catch can) and back along the original route.

So you're taking this: ------------------

and doing this: ----------[-]-----------

That's it really. And then every time you do an oil change, you just drain this part: [-]

[ESSYMOND]

Thanks for the info huffer,

So where does the useless plug go for this setup?


^^ Truth. People should look at my posts from 4 years ago. :lol:

[bobbyjimmy]

Crank case vent (in the block) thru the catch can back into the PCV valve (in the manifold).

[Baddog]

I got mine today. Only one piece of tubing and what is the "useless plug"? I dont havve anything that looks like a plug except the one thats on the can.

[Navi271]

There should be 2 little end pieces, one that, like you said, is useless and then another one, looks exactly the same but has a hole through it. If I remember correctly, mine shipped with the good useable plug already connected to the very short thicker tubing.
It sounds like you might have to stop by autozone or o'reilly's and get some connectors if you didn't get everything.


And since I'm writing in this thread, here's an update. It's summer! And I have absolutely no blow by. My engine only "uses" the oil catch can in the winter. Oil tends to get through when the engine starts up in the super cold.

[Huffer]

^^ thats consistent with piston slap...piston doesn't fill the cylinder enough when it's super cold, but in summer temps it's already expanded enough.

[Baddog]

Okay so do I use the useless plug at all? Or do I just take it out of the equation?

[Navi271]

^^ thats consistent with piston slap...piston doesn't fill the cylinder enough when it's super cold, but in summer temps it's already expanded enough.
Is there anything cheap and easy that I can do to fix piston slap? I don't remember hearing any piston slap when it's super cold. I'll probably just leave it alone honestly.


Okay so do I use the useless plug at all? Or do I just take it out of the equation?
Take it out! It really is useless. Unless you can successfully drill it out... I think that would be too much of a pain tho.

[Baddog]

Awesome Thanks Navi!

[ubar legacy]

I have a catch can for my talon just sitting in the garage.... I think ill be installing this in my subie tonight or tomorrow. :)

[ubar legacy]

I was looking for a way to modify the ebay catch can and found this
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin ... can-62914/ (http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f104/ebay-catch-can-62914/)
I think i'll be doing this as well as putting some material from a loofa into the can as a baffle.

[Navi271]

Awesome Thanks Navi!
No problem man.

ubar legacy, it looks like a good idea, I'm not sure I'd make the tube inside as long as he did. When the catch can would get full it would just be bubbling blow back oil and crap all inside that can, I feel like that can just as easily get sucked back into the engine. Also I know the stuff in my catch can freeze during the winter because it also collects a lot of condensation. Mine collects enough that I think it would freeze up the tube and stop all air movement through there.

eh, just stuff to think about. But at least someone is trying to come up with an idea to make these ebay thingers better!

[ubar legacy]

Awesome Thanks Navi!
ubar legacy, it looks like a good idea, I'm not sure I'd make the tube inside as long as he did. When the catch can would get full it would just be bubbling blow back oil and crap all inside that can, I feel like that can just as easily get sucked back into the engine. Also I know the stuff in my catch can freeze during the winter because it also collects a lot of condensation. Mine collects enough that I think it would freeze up the tube and stop all air movement through there.

eh, just stuff to think about. But at least someone is trying to come up with an idea to make these ebay thingers better!
I was thinking the same thing about the length of the tube. I think I'll make it like half the length of the can or so, and then put the loofa material at the bottom...

[Navi271]

nice!

[Navi271]

Upon trying to clean my IACV I noticed that the little rubber gasket pieces on the ebay catch can were almost destroyed, probably because I over tightened them. Also the inlet and outlet thingers on top were loose and letting some oil out. End of story is I no longer have the catch can on the car anymore, and my high idle problem fixed itself for now

[Kansei]

one thing i have to say... do not leave the can open to atmosphere at all. that would be a loss of vacuum and could cause all sorts of problems.

[Wiscon_Mark]

one thing i have to say... do not leave the can open to atmosphere at all. that would be a loss of vacuum and could cause all sorts of problems.


??

The stock one has a little hose out the bottom. Isn't that open to atmosphere?

[Kansei]

stock one? what?

[Garrison]

stock one? what?
Mark was referring to the emissions canister, I believe, it has a spout at the bottom.

[Kansei]

oh. well i have no idea about emissions canisters. i dont even know if i have one. but usually if you remove a vacuum line your car starts running funny and you get a cel. thats why i said that.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I always thought the charcoal canister was part of the system. Maybe not??

[02_Legacy]

charcoal canister is part of the EVAP emissions system, it gets rid of gas vapors from the gas tank. The catch can is part of the PCV system, it gets rid of blow by from the crankcase.
One side of the catch can is supposed to go to engine vacuum and the other side goes to the PCV valve. Thus it just adds the catch can between the PCV valve and intake manifold where it usually would go directly from the PCV valve to the inkake manifold. If you vent the catch can to atm. the system would not work at all.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Good explanation, I never knew that about the canister.

[96LegacyWagon]

How could you tell if the charcoal canister went bad? I have a gas smell sometimes and I am trying to figure out if it is the tank, the filler tube, or now the canister.

Also... is the general consensus then that the mpg boost is about 1-2mpg gain for having the one on the breather setup?

[Garrison]

Also... is the general consensus then that the mpg boost is about 1-2mpg gain for having the one on the breather setup?

Obviously I can't speak for everyone but I didn't notice any increase in my mpg by installing the catch can. The only thing you're doing is cleaning up the breathing system of oil and recirculated emissions. Well, on mine anyway, thats the setup. I pulled and T'd the vent lines coming from the cylinder heads and added an extra port to my catch can. Why not, right? And fwiw, I've added a shower loufa inside to actually trap contaminants. Nasioc said to do to it, what else was I to do? :oops:

[02_Legacy]

I pulled and T'd the vent lines coming from the cylinder heads and added an extra port to my catch can. Why not, right?
If I am understanding what you are saying then you are pulling a vacuum on your whole crankcase, that is not good. The breathers should be attached to a filtered air source after the MAF sensor. fresh air needs to be allowed into the crankcase as the vacuum pulls out air.

And I don't think that there would be any significant change in fuel mileage from this mod.

[Garrison]

I pulled and T'd the vent lines coming from the cylinder heads and added an extra port to my catch can. Why not, right?
If I am understanding what you are saying then you are pulling a vacuum on your whole crankcase, that is not good. The breathers should be attached to a filtered air source after the MAF sensor. fresh air needs to be allowed into the crankcase as the vacuum pulls out air.

And I don't think that there would be any significant change in fuel mileage from this mod.

That doesn't really make sense. The only difference between where the gases are now going is that they are not now going into the throttlebody/manifold/engine. The crankcase breathers (if that is the appropriate term) are only ever supposed to be on vacuum, they do not regulate air going in.

[02_Legacy]

Maybe I misunderstood you but I will just post a brief way the PCV system works and you can decide from there.
Manifold vacuum pulls air/blowby mix from the crank case through the PCV valve. This is located in the central part of the engine under the intake manifold. As the vacuum sucks air out, fresh clean metered air is sucked in through the breathers which are located on both valve covers.
If a vacuum is pulled on the breathers and the PCV valve no air is allowed into the crankcase and the results will be constant vacuum in the crankcase.
I do not know what you mean when you say that, "The only difference between where the gases are now going is that they are not now going into the throttlebody/manifold/engine" That is where the gases always go via the PCV valve and intake vacuum.

Like I said I might be misunderstanding what you are trying to say, it sounds to me like you are saying that you have vacuum hooked up to the pcv valve and both the breathers.

[psalm51ajm]

So the catch can is the same thing as an air/oil separator?

[Garrison]

Hmmm, I misunderstood then. I thought the breathers were under vacuum. Lesson learned, thanks.

[Kansei]

actually... i've worked on engines in alot of different stuff because of the navy, and the pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) is supposed to keep a constant vacuum on the crankcase to keep blow by gasses out and not allow pressure to build inside so that there can be a much less of a chance of a crankcase explosion. thus a safer engine.

[02_Legacy]

Well... I'm going to school for mechanics and we just went over this... If there is a vacuum in the crankcase the PVC system is malfunctioning. The Pcv system keeps suction in the crankcase to remove blowby gasses but any air sucked out is replaced by the breather tubes coming off the valve covers. Take a look at your engine once those breathers will go into the intake tract after the filter and before the throttle body where there is no vacuume, their purpose is to let fresh air in.

[Kansei]

there is a vacuum on the intake at all times in all places for an n/a vehicle... unless under wot. thats the only way there would be no vacuum.

but i just looked it up and you are correct. a small metered amount of air is used to flush out the gasses.

[Wiscon_Mark]

PCV does use the vacuum in the intake to create a "vacuum" in the crankcase, but because it's ventilated and the pressure is instantly equalized, I think it's not considered "in a vacuum". You guys are just disagreeing on semantics.

[Garrison]

Either way, here's what hooking it up to your catch can gets you:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/IMAG0434-1.jpg

Thanks for the heads up, 02_legacy.

[96LegacyWagon]

Garrison.. is that photo showing an improvement or a hazard?

[Garrison]

Potential hazard, don't hook up your crankcase breathers to your catchcan.

I'm really not even sure what the f*ck that stuff is. It almost made me gag when I cleaned it out; yellow, oily, almost like an artery lined with cholesterol is what it reminded me of. Either way, I immediately noticed the difference, car runs MUCH happier now. Again, thanks 02_Legacy

[twistlok]

I have a 96 Legacy GT-B JDM wagon (in NZ) its done 230k km, the last 50k km were hard on it, never really consdered using "catch can" but you guys have sold me the dream. I checked some of the lnks mentioned in this thread and there is no way I would pay the sort of money they want for what is really an inline filter. I've modified. an oil / air seperator for a small 14cfm compressor. It has suitable diameter inlet / outlet fittings, it's clear, has a series of baffles and a drain tap. I've used quality hose fittings and bench tested the setup for leaks under vacuum overnight and alls well The only apparant drawbacks I see are it's capacity and shape, its bulky compared to the pictured unit and not that pretty, can't see any other problems......... apart from deciding where to shoehorn it into the engne bay. Going to fit it soon. Thanks for the benefit of your combined knowledge. Subaru BEST #$%@The Rest.

[Garrison]

Gentlemen, allow me to forward this to you.

I removed my catch can and the car began to run better. Just food for thought. 2.5L NA DOHC