$20 Oil catch can

[conipc]

This is in process on my G8. Literally $20 worth of parts, and a visible oil catch can is yours.

http://350z-tech.com/zwiki/Build_your_own_Oil_Catch_Can

[norm8332]

I got one from ebay $16 shipped. Still under testing. Made in china.

[jac09g8gt]

I had one of these $20 ones on my srt and it worked great.

[Seattle09GT]

I'm amazed at how similar the mods/issues are for the Infiniti/350/370 Z owners and us. They have thin paint, we have thin paint, they're doing catch cans, we're doing catch cans.

[syP]

i think a LOT more cars are now doing catch cans ;)

[STL_G8GT]

Any updates on install of homemade catch can? Tubing, etc?

[jetttstream]

Interesting!

[StandFast85]

I built one and it's been working great.... for the few days I've been running it. There's already oil in it!

[STL_G8GT]

I built one and it's been working great.... for the few days I've been running it. There's already oil in it!


Parts / Tube routing?

[StandFast85]

I tried finding my receipts but was unable to do so.

1- Kobalt Air Compressor general purpose filter
2- 3/8 to 1/4 threaded barbs
7ft- 3/8" fuel line

Disconnect stock PCV line, cut the 3/8" fuel line into two pieces, run one to the rear of the drivers side intake, and one to the back of the throttle body. It's pretty much that easy, now just find a place to mount your can and voila, you're done.

[StandFast85]

Oh, and make sure to take the innards out of the can.

[STL_G8GT]

Rockstar... thanks man!

[StandFast85]

No problem. I posted pictures of mine somewhere on here...

[todds87ss]

I'm not sure how the "innards" work for your can, but a catch can without "innards" is usually not much af a catch can. The design is to allow the vapors to enter the can, contact with a substance and condense/separate. With no innards (mesh, filter, etc), there will not be much separation. Just rethink removing the filter. If you are concerned about low volume, get a larger one.

[StandFast85]

My catch can works great and has no innards. The inlet line is on one side and the outlet is on the other side. The air comes in, the oil drops to the bottom, the air then goes out the other side.

How does this not work? I've got alot of oil in my can already.

[STL_G8GT]

Bought everything except the 3/8s fuel line... Took the filter apart, used the dremel to take all the blue paint off. Bought some rustoleum high temp spraypaint, matte black. Looks sharp... Will also paint the barbs once installed.

One thing... it's got a valve on the bottom that is naturally OPEN, as in it would let water, etc drop out until pressurized then it closes (theoretically). I am assuming I should figure a way to more securely keep that valve closed at all times... I'll "drain" it by removing the bowl and dumping out...

Thoughts?

Also, the design of the filter/bowl is not a simple pass through, it's an indirect route... I'm guessing this will aid in oil condensation and not pass through...

[StandFast85]

Mine is the exact same way. I just sealed the valve with high temp silicone.

[todds87ss]

My catch can works great and has no innards. The inlet line is on one side and the outlet is on the other side. The air comes in, the oil drops to the bottom, the air then goes out the other side.

How does this not work? I've got alot of oil in my can already.

Much like myself on a football Sunday, it will work, just at a lower efficiency:)

[STL_G8GT]

Sorry to be continously working on this "Simple" mod, but I wanted to clarify one thing...

The air path... am I correct in thinking that the air comes from the back of the intake manifold (rear of the motor, drivers side) and travels to the front of the motor by the throttle body?

[BigRed585Lbs]

Comes from the rear of the driver's side valve cover and routes around to the passenger front side of the intake (down in amongst all those electrical connectors). It ain't hard; a caveman could do it. Or, if you're really challenged, Jamesbiz has a good installation somewhere on here.

[BigRed585Lbs]

bump

[G VIII]

lol the welfare catch can. there will always be welfare mods, won't there? i did this, worked great 3+ years, no problems at all. finally spent money on a pretty one, then sold the car. still in the garage somewhere, so will eventually install on GT. do take the innards out. do pay attention to the directional arrows. do install in a place you can easily get to the drain valve (optional, but helpful). the can will age quickly with heat, so won't look pretty after a year or so, but not a big deal to me.

[todds87ss]

Can someone tell me exactly why you want the "innards" removed (other than "that's the way it works, dummy")? Intellectually, gravity does not cause oil vapor to fall out of the air. Oil vapor must adhere to a surface. This is the purpose of "innards". To give more surface area. If there is a good reason to remove them, I'd like to hear it.

[BigRed585Lbs]

The particulate medium supplied in the (Lowe's or Home Depot) air compressor oil/water/air separator is made of a material that is too dense for motor oil. It will clog up and impede airflow, which we don't want. Therefore, it is removed.
There are some who say, "Leave it out", and that's OK for them.
There are some of us who think you should put "something" back in the chamber for the oil to condense on and eventually drip off of into the bottom for draining. This can be several different types of material, but should NOT be anything that will dissolve or melt in the PCV vapors. Your choice. I, personally, like a good old-fashoned pot scrubber (metallic/non-ferric)(copper is good). Just use a bit, not the whole thing. Maybe there's one by the kitchen sink. Go on; take a little; she won't notice.

[1bad03snake]

I had the innards removed on both my 03 cobra's and my lightning and it worked great I pulled the blower on my truck to get it ported and the intercooler was clean

[dukeofpg]

I use the same part from Lowes for my catch can. It gets emptied about once a month. The innards have remained inside. They do assist in the condensing of the oil vapor and it does not clog or impede the airflow. It works well. I did not use one on my Silverado and once when I removed the intake, it was coated with black tar. The injector tips were also dirty on the intake side. Do it, you will not regret it.

[jcmGT]

FYI .... I've done some chasing on catchcans ... here is a URL that has excellent background on the function - as typical...it's form or function and form may not provide the best function (imagine that!). Any ways read the white paper and make you own "educated decision".

http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/new_page_1.htm#pricing

[todds87ss]

The particulate medium supplied in the (Lowe's or Home Depot) air compressor oil/water/air separator is made of a material that is too dense for motor oil. It will clog up and impede airflow, which we don't want. Therefore, it is removed.
There are some who say, "Leave it out", and that's OK for them.
There are some of us who think you should put "something" back in the chamber for the oil to condense on and eventually drip off of into the bottom for draining. This can be several different types of material, but should NOT be anything that will dissolve or melt in the PCV vapors. Your choice. I, personally, like a good old-fashoned pot scrubber (metallic/non-ferric)(copper is good). Just use a bit, not the whole thing. Maybe there's one by the kitchen sink. Go on; take a little; she won't notice.

Thanks, that clears it up a bit. I used a tractor part which is larger, and has an internal stainless screen, so I assumed others were similiar.

[BigRed585Lbs]

If duke says the Kobalt filter works as is, that's good to go.

[WickedMom]

so the expensive catch cans look a lot like the cheap catch cans (minus the 20 micron filter element with liquid dispersion disc) which sounds like a lot of hoohaw.

So spend 148 or 20 bux? I want one of these but just not totally sold on it.

[todds87ss]

it's a lot of work to make a DIY one look and work like a ready made one. Really depends on how much time and effort you want to invest.

[StandFast85]

It depends on the money you're willing to spend. I have a hard time parting with $100+ for a device I can make for $30.

I'm not knocking anyone who buys a ready made can, right now I just can't afford a ready made one.

[dukeofpg]

If duke says the Kobalt filter works as is, that's good to go.

You are a good man. Now, if I could just get my wife to listen....

[BigRed585Lbs]

Throw her in the racin' car and take her for a RIDE. Works for me.

[JoshHefnerX]

Just wanted to add my 2-cents. I've had the $20 ebay china made cheapie on my car for 1500miles and have pulled about 1 tablespoon of oil out.

Josh

[dukeofpg]

That is good recovery. I think I may get a little more than that, but is anyone certain that they get all of the oil vapor?

[G VIII]

no, definitely not certain; my boosted Neon sent a lot through; on cooldown, much of it rand back down to the bov, where it was discharged straight to the ground under the next BOV whoosh. couldn't begin to tell you how much it did or didn't catch. i would think it would be easier to gauge in our cars without the 20 psi of pressure; just let it idle for a bit and check for residue.

as far as the price goes, having used one for 9 years on two cars, i'm comfortable saying the welfare catch can is at least as effective as the designer CC, it just doesn't look super nice. if it's hidden, who cares how it looks? of course, if it's hidden, it's probably harder to check status and empty. my $0.02 since i'm not an engineer of any sort.

[BigRed585Lbs]

Here's mine. Works fine. Lowe's $20 Catch Can Mod.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/100_0011.jpg

[Posidon42]

Is that on the passenger side?

[BigRed585Lbs]

Yes,for access. I'm just too lazy to make another bracket and move it over to the right side. But it looks good there to me.

[jcmGT]

hmmm.... that looks pretty good. While I'm not keen on dropping a Franklin on a catch can, the air compressor filter didn't seem to aesthetically fit well in the engine bay (to me). I've been giving consideration to the CC, as I suspect it's a long term payback. Had been leaning to saving coin and go for the max function one...but the DIY works, perhaps not the best but good enough and looks ok.

[BigRed585Lbs]

Mike Norris Motorsports will take some semoleons off your hand for a nice product that may please your eye more. The 'Vette folks sure seem to like them. Colors, too!

[reek]

I have one of the ebay catch cans with a removable top. Came as an empty can with an inlet/outlet. Put a piece of galvanized steel window screen shaped to stay put between the in and out dividing the chamber in half. Put a small amount of steel wool/pot scrubber on the inlet side. Not packed in though. Didn't know if flow resistance would be an issue. Tried blowing through the inlet before and after my home mod. didn't seem like any increased resistance.

Seems to be working on my Tundra. I broke down and ordered a Billetprototype for my G8. Of course, haven't heard from them in weeks and no reply to my emails. May file with paypal and get a refund, do the ebay thing again.

REEK

[JoshHefnerX]

I have one of the ebay catch cans with a removable top. Came as an empty can with an inlet/outlet. Put a piece of galvanized steel window screen shaped to stay put between the in and out dividing the chamber in half. Put a small amount of steel wool/pot scrubber on the inlet side. Not packed in though. Didn't know if flow resistance would be an issue. Tried blowing through the inlet before and after my home mod. didn't seem like any increased resistance.

Seems to be working on my Tundra. I broke down and ordered a Billetprototype for my G8. Of course, haven't heard from them in weeks and no reply to my emails. May file with paypal and get a refund, do the ebay thing again.

REEK

I've seen steel wool break apart into little fibers. I don't know that I would want those getting sucked into the engine. The screen is a good idea though.

Josh

[reek]

I've seen steel wool break apart into little fibers. I don't know that I would want those getting sucked into the engine. The screen is a good idea though.

Josh

Any recs on what to use as a condensor?

[JoshHefnerX]

Just leave the screen in w/o any steel wool.

Josh

[BigRed585Lbs]

^^I'm trying that now, but getting a lot of bugs in the house.

[JoshHefnerX]

^^:facepalm:

[gavine]

So I decided to give the $20 eBay catch can a try. It's not a bad unit. The quality looks pretty good. The internals are empty though. There is no mesh in there. The inlet has a longer "tube" than the outlet...that's about it. Also, I needed an allen wrench to remove the inlet/outlets to install the provided gaskets.

I installed it in a different spot than the Billet Prototypes install. I also used the factory PCV hose instead of replacing it which made the install easier and I didn't need to buy additional hoses because the one that came with the can did the trick.

The only extra piece I needed was a 4-inch mending plate to attached the provided "L" bracket to the stock airbox bolt.

Note: I had to loosen the "+" battery terminal mount in order to get the mending plate under it. Once I got the mounting plate on the airbox bolt, I then was able to fully tighten the terminal mount again.

Here are the pictures (sorry for the poor cell phone quality). Let me know if you have any questions ->

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5186&d=1252431696
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5187&d=1252431705
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5188&d=1252431710
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5189&d=1252431714
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5190&d=1252431718
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5191&d=1252431752
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5192&d=1252431756

[JoshHefnerX]

Can see the pics...

Josh

[gavine]

Can or Can't? I can see them but maybe because they're on my computer. Anyone else having trouble seeing the pictures?

[SpeedRacerX]

Can't.

[gavine]

It's probably because I linked to the pictures from the G8board forum. It's weird that I can see them but no one else can. Does it show a link or just nothing?

[gavine]

Okay, I'm getting somewhere with this picture-not-showing problem. I use FireFox and the pictures show-up. I tried IE and they don't. If you want to see the pictures, just right click on the little "X" where the picture should be and select properties. There you will see the URL where the picture is located. Just copy and paste the link into your browser and you should see the picture.

Let me know.....

[BigRed585Lbs]

I moved mine over to the GMC and will put some pix up on their forum. Truck guys seem to be a lot more willing to accept oil in the intake and drone in the cabin. Maybe it's time for change????

[BigRed585Lbs]

I just love diggin' up old threads (kinda retro). Here's the catch can mounted on the truck. Works as advertised. These LS engines are oily!!!
http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/100_0106.jpg

[ULTRA Z]

why do this ??? not being smart i just wanta know before i do it . THANKS

[BigRed585Lbs]

LS series of GM V8 engines are known producers of oil vapor in the PCV system that gets into the intake manifold and condenses on its inner surfaces and the backside of the intake valves, causing carbon build-up and contamination, especially in higher-performance engines. A catch can will "filter out" the majority of these oil vapors, keeping the inside of the intake system cleaner. You wouldn't run your engine without the air filter element, would you? Clean your air filter and dump your can.

[BigRed585Lbs]

Revive an old thread, if you please.

Here's a larger version I've made up.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/100_0155.jpg

[gr8lover]

Seems like this is only a oil overflow.... not really a catch..... I have to ask what actually is the oil catching on to?... this is not a silly question as most catch cans have some form or meshing or plate that will catch and collect the oil in the air..... maybe I missed part of this posting... but seems silly.... but I guess something is better than nothing.... (running naked with a hat on is better than running naked around with nothing on... :) )

[G8-4-Speed]

It is a water seperater. Works good, just not flashy.

[BigRed585Lbs]

This stuff look familiar?

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/100_0224.jpg

Easily cut; doesn't ravel; cheap; won't melt; works well.
For other ideas, see post #24 above.

The idea is to separate the oil particles from the air going to the intake. The filter material gives these particles something to cling to and drop out. Works as good as $150 units, but not as "boutique-cute".

This is after all, the "$20 Oil Catch Can" thread.


PS: running like that around here will get you shot at or put in jail; maybe it's different where you are?

[pha|anx]

Is the motor injesting oil like it was designed to do, really that bad for it?? When I recently installed my CAI, I had to give my throttle body a good cleaning... FWIW. Just curious.

Sent from Hell via my Galaxy S Captivate

[BigRed585Lbs]

IMO, burning oil is only good in a Diesel engine. In ANY instance, coke is not good for you.

[BigRed585Lbs]

Don't forget the poorfolks this Christmas.

[BigRed585Lbs]

NEVER bump up an old-*ss thread unless you can add some new information:

http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/PCV%20Line%20Oil%20Removal%20102.pdf

Picture of the latest version:

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/100_0324.jpg (http://s801.photobucket.com/user/BigRed585Lbs/media/100_0324.jpg.html)

[JAM]

BigRed,

Great read! I see yours is a Kobalt. Can you share the model number and where you acquired it?

Thanks,

JAM

[STL_G8GT]

BigRed,

Great read! I see yours is a Kobalt. Can you share the model number and where you acquired it?

Thanks,

JAM

I believe that model is available in store at Lowe's, just an air separator, and will be near the compressors and air tools.

[JAM]

Thanks much,

JAM

[BigRed585Lbs]

You got it. Here's a link:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_221014-47120-SGY-AIR9_4294813345__?productId=3414724&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

[THE Adam V]

You got it. Here's a link:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_221014-47120-SGY-AIR9_4294813345__?productId=3414724&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

Where did you get the rubber lines? Probably a stupid question but I want to do this soon. I noticed a TON of oil when I put my ported intake on.

[BigRed585Lbs]

Any auto parts store (AZ, Advance, PepBoys, KSK, etc.) should have it in bulk and cut it to whatever length you need.

[THE Adam V]

Any auto parts store (AZ, Advance, PepBoys, KSK, etc.) should have it in bulk and cut it to whatever length you need.

That's what I figured. But I wanted to make sure before I waste the trip. Might as well get it all at once right?

[aussiek2000]

I just use fuel line Adam. Your autoparts store may actually have some PCV hose. My can works much better since modding it.

[BigRed585Lbs]

I stuck one on the Camaro, too. Works the same.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/100_0369.jpg (http://s801.photobucket.com/user/BigRed585Lbs/media/100_0369.jpg.html)

[MagneticSmoke]

Question about these air compressor separators/filters:

Could the guts be removed, then the flow reversed so the air enters the separator from the center? If so, you can attach something to help the air 'collide' and assist the oil coalesce.

Something similar to what this guy did on his Dodge Ram (http://www.ramforumz.com/showthread.php?t=168143).

[BigRed585Lbs]

I'm old. I like old stuff. Old threads.

Dual cans in series to catch all the oilsnot. Still less than $80.00 invested in the whole set-up.
http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/100_0479.jpg (http://s801.photobucket.com/user/BigRed585Lbs/media/100_0479.jpg.html)

Latest mod to the red can:
http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/1f4109c4-6829-48b9-be44-05713e97e405.jpg (http://s801.photobucket.com/user/BigRed585Lbs/media/1f4109c4-6829-48b9-be44-05713e97e405.jpg.html)

But then, nobody comes to this forum anymore.

[Markmsf3]

Some do. I like that set up.

[sixt9stang]

I actually just did a cheap catch can based off this. I used the Home depot husky version though which I do not recommend. The valve on the bottom needed to be sealed up a lot. Next one I do will be the Kobalt most likely.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[JAM]

BigRed,

How much collects in your second can?

JAM - still here too

[BigRed585Lbs]

I'm proud to say after running with this set-up for about a year, the second blue can has approximately 1/8" of oil residue in it and no milky looking stuff.
Very happy with this mod.

A 1/8" NPT ball valve will fix that leaky valve on the Kobalt and Husky cans. Or just start out with a Campbell Hausfield one with a twist drain.

[BigRed585Lbs]

The red one now resides in a 2016 Tahoe where it continues to do it's thing.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/BigRed585Lbs/100_0644.jpg (http://s801.photobucket.com/user/BigRed585Lbs/media/100_0644.jpg.html)

[NJBlackG8GT]

Nice. I'm about to install this on my Sierra!

[BigRed585Lbs]

Some re-pix that were deleted:
You, too can make one.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Amflo-3-8-Air-Filter-Air-System/49096193