Catch cans...worth it?

DoubtedNeon · Post by **DoubtedNeon** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:08 pm

OK, from what ive researched it filters out the oil running through the pcv valve hose so it doesnt go into your engine. but im not sure why thats a bad thing if it is burned up. our engines can handle burning that oil vapor. so why does this seem to be a popular upgrade to our cars?

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:18 pm

Because it doesn't burn up, it pools and coats the inside of the manifold, IC piping and all kinds of other horrific shit

DoubtedNeon · Post by **DoubtedNeon** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:19 pm

but is that bad? what does it hurt as far as manifold goes?

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:22 pm

For the manifold, it causes no issues.

It can add to combustion chamber/valve deposits.
And an occasional cloud of smoke if you rev the engine high enough to suck the oil up the runners.

More of a little insight into a side effect of something I did, than fully on topic:
I have found one plus to plumbing my IAC valve into the same hose that I have my PCV in. The IAC takes away some of the volume from the PCV valve. It is still sucking air out of the rocker cover, but so far there has been no oil collecting in my catch can. I used brand new white tubing. The inlet tube for the catch can is brown, and the outlet is still white. There is plenty of suction at the rocker cover inlet, so I am not worried about lack of ventilation.

If you are wondering what I'm talking about:

After about 600 miles the bottom tube is still white.
Before I did this, I was emptying the catch can 2 to 3 times a week. I was a bit concerned when it stopped filling up. I thought maybe the air makeup for the rocker cover had gotten blocked somehow. But all is working. This is one of the best mods I've done. (No real performance gain, tho.)
For more info on why:
viewtopic.php?t=40921&start=0

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:51 am

DoubtedNeon wrote:what does it hurt as far as manifold goes?

Read what has happened to my car without a catch can...
viewtopic.php?t=41240

moparspocom · Post by **moparspocom** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:13 am

i would definitly get one

OB · Post by OB » Wed May 06, 2009 12:16 am

Engines are meant to ingest air and gasoline, not oil. What more is there to say?

Catch can = preventive maintenance mod

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Wed May 06, 2009 2:11 am

Why don't car manufacturers address this by making a catch can standard equipment, especially on turbo'd vehicles?

Mopar00Neon · Post by **Mopar00Neon** » Wed May 06, 2009 2:30 am

Midnight_Rider wrote:Why don't car manufacturers address this by making a catch can standard equipment, especially on turbo'd vehicles?

Oh, you know why. Because 98% of people out there would never look at it or drain it. Just like most of them dont change their oil.

Though it would be nice. You should have seen the oily crap on the turbine on the P-stroke. I had to take care of that right away (along with removing the throttle plate, who needs a throttle plate on a diesel? ugh, Ford....)

sxmania · Post by **sxmania** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:07 am

Midnight_Rider wrote:
DoubtedNeon wrote:what does it hurt as far as manifold goes?
Read what has happened to my car without a catch can...
viewtopic.php?t=41240

Im sry guys but I dont see why a catch can is a "must" I know your car suffered some ill effects but thats because of your "driving habits" but that doesnt mean that every car on the planet without a catch can is doomed to buy a new engine every 30000k. I know my car isnt turboed but i still have 120k on it with no catch can and no sign that its causing problems not being there.
Sure as a $20 mod its kind of neat but im jus sayin its not a life or death thing . wow that was longer than I thoiught

OB · Post by OB » Wed May 06, 2009 9:28 am

^You're right, it's not a critical mod. It's just a good idea. Any engine that uses one should theoretically last longer and run better than one that doesn't. Look inside your intake manifold sometime and I bet you'll come around to the idea...

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:44 am

The first year neons came with one, but like said; it comes down to maintaining it, and it just wouldn't happen on the average car.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Wed May 06, 2009 10:49 am

IDK, if it were a warranty item that was specified in the owner's manual, I think that most drivers would take it seriously and drain the darn thing.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:15 pm

I think it prolly got nixed due to EPA. How many ppl would dispose of the waste properly?
I know when mine would need emptied, there was a lot of moistue in it, so I wasn't going to dump it back in the crankcase. (But then not too many ppl have a cooler in their catch can circuit)

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:37 pm

they should put catchcans on all cars and make a note in manual "when changing oil empty catch can"

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:42 pm

Before I did the above mod, it would have needed to be a half gallon jug to hold it all. It was almost a daily routine for me.

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Wed May 06, 2009 6:38 pm

That's almost as though something is wrong to be draining it that much. Whens the last time you checked your compression? Maybe need to change the PCV valve as well

I'm going to check mine later today, but just eyeballing it it's nowhere near full.

PhillyLS1 · Post by **PhillyLS1** » Wed May 06, 2009 6:46 pm

Catch cans are a must. In fact on an SRT-4 you should have 2.

The reasons are numerous. But the worst is that it lowers your octane rating and crates detonation.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:16 pm

PhillyLS1 wrote:Catch cans are a must. In fact on an SRT-4 you should have 2.

The reasons are numerous. But the worst is that it lowers your octane rating and creates detonation.

Also the added oil/gunk will help form CC deposits, further helping detonation, or the knock sensor pulling timing, resulting in less performance.

Adionik: Read further up the thread.

nate-00neon · Post by **nate-00neon** » Wed May 06, 2009 10:08 pm

hmm very interesting...im making one now out of stainless...i wonder if mine is goin to fill up fast or not

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed May 06, 2009 10:34 pm

Only if you put a cooler in the the line. I did it to help condense the hot vapors comming from the VC. Apparently it works. I had more watery, nasty looking stuff than oil, but it was still an icky mess. The side "benefit" is there is less heat going into the IM.

Of course, at WOT is doesn't matter, as there isn't enough vacuum to pull air from the VC.

sxmania · Post by **sxmania** » Wed May 06, 2009 10:34 pm

I run a can of mccc every year for $5 and feel better about it lol. I would concider it if I was turboed but as NA i dont think I need one too bad. I actually didnt get flamed as much as i thought i would

DoubtedNeon · Post by **DoubtedNeon** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:25 pm

sticky worthy?

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Thu May 07, 2009 2:58 am

PhillyLS1 wrote:Catch cans are a must. In fact on an SRT-4 you should have 2.

Gee, now I have to save up $$$ for two of them?

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:57 am

You would be surprised how much oil I pull on my N/A neons catch can. It is deffinetely needed. The PCV provides a constant vaccum to the intake manifold and obviously oil gets sucked up in there. There was a gross puddle the last time I removed the TB. Just make sure it doesn't leak.

You don't HAVE to have 2 CC's on an SRT-4, but I guess it would be ideal. You deffinetely need one from the PCV -> Intake manifold

The second one would be from the driver side breather to the intake. Stock airbox has a sponge or something for it, so you're good as long as you don't have an intake.

Post by **jonnymopar** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:36 pm

1st gen valve cover & PCV system solved the problem for me. No catch can, no oil in the intake.

PhillyLS1 · Post by **PhillyLS1** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:30 am

Adionik wrote: You don't HAVE to have 2 CC's on an SRT-4, but I guess it would be ideal. You deffinetely need one from the PCV -> Intake manifold

The second one would be from the driver side breather to the intake. Stock airbox has a sponge or something for it, so you're good as long as you don't have an intake.

http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f258/th ... me-485898/

DCR says 2 as well. I run 2 lines on my camaro too.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:44 am

^ exactly. I of course have one at the PCV system because the stock PCV system is a joke. Speaking..
jonnymopar.. does the 1st gen DOHC valve cover work on a SRT-4 head? Any modifications?

But anyways I went to home depot and got the $13 catch can and some barb fittings. To make a catch can for the breather side. I then hooked it up:

I was tired of taking off my intake and noticing oil on the lip of my turbo. It even made its way all the way to my throttle body.

But I noticed after having that catch can on for over a week it enver got an oil in it... So I took it off and examined it. The lines had traces of oil on both sides.. but it just wasn't going in the can and I am not sure with all the turns in the lines, my car wasn't getting enough vacuum then just having it setup up going right to the valve cover with the 1'' piece of fuel line.. So I took it off and just connected it witht he 1'' piece again.

I also read in the DCR thread is a good idea to use nylon tubing instead of fuel line coming from the PCV... If you remember the stock lines they were plastic... Where can I get flexible tubing like that that will attach to my PCV/ catch can with a sealed connection?

Sorry for all the questions but I bet others would like to know too.

Post by **jonnymopar** » Tue May 12, 2009 12:49 pm

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:^ exactly. I of course have one at the PCV system because the stock PCV system is a joke. Speaking..
jonnymopar.. does the 1st gen DOHC valve cover work on a SRT-4 head? Any modifications?

I'm almost sure you can use any 1g DOHC cover (2.0L or 2.4L) on the SRT head. The SRT valve cover has 9 bolts and the 1g covers have 8. The bolt right next to the #3 spark plug tube isn't on the 1g covers. So I'd say yes, you could use a 1g cover on the 2g head, but not vice versa.

PhillyLS1 · Post by **PhillyLS1** » Tue May 12, 2009 1:25 pm

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:I also read in the DCR thread is a good idea to use nylon tubing instead of fuel line coming from the PCV... If you remember the stock lines they were plastic... Where can I get flexible tubing like that that will attach to my PCV/ catch can with a sealed connection?

NAPA for the lines. They're for hydrolic applications.