Catch Can disappointment pics inside

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ivin74

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Hello to you all
Several weeks ago I changed the oil on my suv and noticed an oil leak by the intake manifold so this weekend I decided to find this mysterious leak. After I removed the intake manifold I realized the leak was coming from the valley cover. So with the intake manifold off I was able to see the head air intake ports and was shocked to see them coated with oil. Four years ago when I installed the catch can I removed the intake manifold and cleaned all the ports and believe me what a pain in the A$$ it was to get them cleaned. During all the oil changes (Appx 5 changes w synthetic oil) I always drain the catch can and it always had oil. I assume it was doing its job well and was hoping to see the intake valve ports clean not what I saw. Has anyone else had this issue in the past?

The catch can I bought has an internal screen and don't understand how the oil would still go thru it. The catch can is also located in the passenger side fenderwell mounted to the frame, that also has me shocked because the oil has to travel up a distance to the air intake manifold.

Catch Can.jpg Catch can filter.JPG SnipImage 1.JPG Dirty intake valve port.jpg Left side intake valve ports_dity.jpg
 
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ivin74

ivin74

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After cleaning the head ports again I also replaced the screen inside the catch can. I also installed an inline fuel filter on the vent line right at the intake manifold. I made sure I had a clear filter so I can see if oil starts to seep up the vent line again. I guess time will tell it this works.

Clean intake valve port.jpg Fuel Filter on vapor line.jpg
 

iamdub

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I have the same catch can. I didn't think they were anywhere near 100% effective, but I'd hope for less buildup than that.

No chance on that being deposits from the fuel? I'm doubting this as I type it because it looks like the ports are clean on the walls and it's just the floor that's gunked up. But, I can't tell for sure from the pics. I'm looking forward to what you find with the fuel filter.
 
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ivin74

ivin74

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I have the same catch can. I didn't think they were anywhere near 100% effective, but I'd hope for less buildup than that.

No chance on that being deposits from the fuel? I'm doubting this as I type it because it looks like the ports are clean on the walls and it's just the floor that's gunked up. But, I can't tell for sure from the pics. I'm looking forward to what you find with the fuel filter.


I don't think is gasoline gunk because I noticed oil on the intake manifold. When I cleaned the ports the first time I also cleaned the intake manifold. I'm going to monitor the clear fuel filter it and post any findings in the next few months
 
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iamdub

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I don't think is gasoline gunk because I noticed oil on the intake manifold. When I cleaned the ports the first time I also cleaned the intake manifold. I'm going to monitor the clear fuel filter it and post any findings in the next few months

I wasn't doubting you! I was more like trying to be optimistic, giving the benefit of the doubt from what I couldn't ascertain from the pics. I'm sorry to learn that these things aren't nearly as effective as we had thought. But, at least they're doing something. I recall seeing in a thread of someone running two catch cans in series, but I don't know if they ever reported of their efficiency.
 
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ivin74

ivin74

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I wasn't doubting you! I was more like trying to be optimistic, giving the benefit of the doubt from what I couldn't ascertain from the pics. I'm sorry to learn that these things aren't nearly as effective as we had thought. But, at least they're doing something. I recall seeing in a thread of someone running two catch cans in series, but I don't know if they ever reported of their efficiency.



Got you, at least its picking up some oil.

I also wonder the efficiency of two catch cans.
 

MINIz guy

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I'm definitely no expert but I'll offer my 2 cents.

It's a fine balance between catching everything (restricting flow) and not impacting the crankcase pressures (lots of flow). You gotta slow down the air so that the heavy carbon, oil, fuel, water particles fall out of the crankcase air. Too slow and you build up a lot of positive pressure and I'm not exactly sure what that impacts. I'm guessing those green filters won't get down to super small particles, and that is why you're still seeing buildup.
 

Kenny D

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Could be the location of the hoses. I believe the incoming air/oil mixture should be going into the tank and the filtered air should be exiting the can through baffle/filter media and out the top. JMO
 

iamdub

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Could be the location of the hoses. I believe the incoming air/oil mixture should be going into the tank and the filtered air should be exiting the can through baffle/filter media and out the top. JMO

Every time I think about it, this makes the most sense to me. Really, I don't see the harm in trying it out. It would be a long-term test, though.
 

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