Finally Jumped on the Oil Catch Can Bandwagon

[Sam Harris]

You likely would start seeing blue smoke at some point, maybe a code for random misses for oil fouling the plugs (but that likely would be quite a ways down the road).

My catch can has a petcock on the bottom. I empty it about every two weeks and check the oil while I am in there. The most I have gotten was about a teaspoon, when I went about a month.

I empty mine each oil change. Usually have around 3-4oz in there. Mine had the petcock, but swapped it with a small ball valve. Much easier to drain.

 

[wsteele]

I empty mine each oil change. Usually have around 3-4oz in there. Mine had the petcock, but swapped it with a small ball valve. Much easier to drain.

At this point I am pretty sure oil change intervals for emptying the catch can would work for me as well.

I just wish I had installed one when the truck was new. I was one who had a worst case scenario with the down rev valve cover and no AFM pressure relief valve deflector. At like 95K miles, after trying to free up stuck rings with solvent, the dealer ended up replacing the pistons and rings. GM stepped up with free parts and fluids and my dealer did me a good turn on the labor, but had it been 101K miles, it would have been a really big bill.

 

[TheAutumnWind]

wsteele experience is just like mine.

The first mod I did when we bought our 130k mile Denali in the fall of 2018 was install a cheap amazon catch can. Back then it would catch 1 oz per 100 miles. So I installed the updated driverside valve cover, GM# 12570427, and performed the TSB 10-06-01-008M. Now, w/167,000 miles on it, it collects only 1 oz per 5,000 miles and I never need to add any oil between changes.

Here's a thread I did about the valve cover etc:
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...tor-oil-consumption-tsb-10-60-10-008m.108493/

*NOTE* I also replaced the engine rear main seal because it was leaking.

Here the latest pic of my inexpensive catch can and the 2 oz of oil it caught in the last 10,000 miles.
View attachment 274314
View attachment 274315

I appreciate this post. I've got the updated valve cover installed now, and really didnt have much oil in my intake manifold, and have never had any issue with significant oil consumption so I never got around to installing a catch can. I think at this point my truck is ok without one.

 

[rdhogg]

If it makes you feel any better, I bought a Moroso for about the same price. The good news is it looks good and came with the pot scrubbers (air/oil separator section). It's my baby, so...


View attachment 273911

Moroso , here as well on my 2013 Tahoe 150,000. Put mine in a different spot attached to brake booster and ran the hose on the firewall into the back of the engine.

 

[Caligirl]

I tried to jump on the catch can bandwagon after deleting the AFM on the ECM on my new to me 2007 Tahoe as a stop gap until oil spray happens eventually and causes issues (hey, maybe I already have the new cover and it's not gonna happen???).

But after purchasing an inexpensive one and my husband checking the oil multiple times and losing absolutely no oil and still clean in the first 2000 or 3000 miles we have owned, he's not too keen on installing it... if something isn't broken why fix it type of thing, ya know? So I guess unless I start having issues, we are not checking to see if I have the new valve cover and no catch can :/ *crossing fingers* But he said he is willing to change the oil sooner like many of you recommend.

Anyone benefit from it when there is no apparent oil loss?

 

[gooffeyguy]

I have one on my 2012. I didn't suffer from any oil loss between changes, or at least any noticeable oil loss. The catch can collects about a shot glass amount of oil between changes.

I don't think the benefit is keeping you from using oil, but keeping oil, even a small amount, from getting into the intake and gunking up things or leaving pools of oil in low spots inside the intake.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Caligirl]

I have one on my 2012. I didn't suffer from any oil loss between changes, or at least any noticeable oil loss. The catch can collects about a shot glass amount of oil between changes.

I don't think the benefit is keeping you from using oil, but keeping oil, even a small amount, from getting into the intake and gunking up things or leaving pools of oil in low spots inside the intake.

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And if the oil looks clean (to the eye at least) how do I know if the catch can would "catch" anything detrimental? That is the tough part...doing preventive "just in case" projects is more my style, not the hubby's....

 

[gooffeyguy]

It catches the oil vapor/mist. You don't want oil in the intake, it will build up, gunk up, make it's way to the combustion chambers and cause more carbon build up

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[Caligirl]

It catches the oil vapor/mist. You don't want oil in the intake, it will build up, gunk up, make it's way to the combustion chambers and cause more carbon build up

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This is the part that I have a hard time understanding...do all engines have this oil vapor/mist build-up? If that is the case, then should all vehicles have this can? Or is this buildup specific to this particular engine setup because of the faulty cover/AFM system? I'm sure this has been explained multiple times on here, but please forgive my obtuseness, as I'm only able to pick up bits and pieces of it since I haven't done any mechanical work myself and trying to fathom all the info without firsthand experience is difficult. But I've owned many vehicles since I've been driving and I've never known of this to be something that is needed.

If I have the new valve cover (which I don't know) and if I have the AFM turned off (which I do) how do I KNOW if the catch can is something that is really going to be that much of a preventative measure? Or is it overkill? I understand that if you can't get the valve cover replaced and IF that is causing some of the buildup, than the catch can can help until you can stop the the cause of the build up. Bottom line... what normal, regular maintenance that would be done to this engine would give us an idea if we are having any buildup that requires the use of this can? I'm just having a really hard time convincing the husband to add another item onto this engine without having any idea whether or not what it's designed to prevent is even an issue in my engine. Or is it really just a piece of "insurance," so to speak...

Again, I apologize to those of you who have already explained this in multiple posts, but I'm still needing something more concrete to give to the husband to convince him this is something that is needed, rather than "just in case."

Otherwise, I have an inexpensive eBay knock-off that I can sell to you haha

Are there some people that have never used the catch can on their 2007s who have not had any problems with this buildup?

 

[Sam Harris]

This is the part that I have a hard time understanding...do all engines have this oil vapor/mist build-up? If that is the case, then should all vehicles have this can? Or is this buildup specific to this particular engine setup because of the faulty cover/AFM system? I'm sure this has been explained multiple times on here, but please forgive my obtuseness, as I'm only able to pick up bits and pieces of it since I haven't done any mechanical work myself and trying to fathom all the info without firsthand experience is difficult. But I've owned many vehicles since I've been driving and I've never known of this to be something that is needed.

If I have the new valve cover (which I don't know) and if I have the AFM turned off (which I do) how do I KNOW if the catch can is something that is really going to be that much of a preventative measure? Or is it overkill? I understand that if you can't get the valve cover replaced and IF that is causing some of the buildup, than the catch can can help until you can stop the the cause of the build up. Bottom line... what normal, regular maintenance that would be done to this engine would give us an idea if we are having any buildup that requires the use of this can? I'm just having a really hard time convincing the husband to add another item onto this engine without having any idea whether or not what it's designed to prevent is even an issue in my engine. Or is it really just a piece of "insurance," so to speak...

Again, I apologize to those of you who have already explained this in multiple posts, but I'm still needing something more concrete to give to the husband to convince him this is something that is needed, rather than "just in case."

Otherwise, I have an inexpensive eBay knock-off that I can sell to you haha

Are there some people that have never used the catch can on their 2007s who have not had any problems with this buildup?

It’s definitely preventative. It’s also something that some engine designs are more prone to than others. The LS engine is known for this, in varying amounts for different generations of the LS.

If you really need to see, you would need to look in the intake, to determine if there’s any oil buildup in there.

Personally, knowing it’s a common issue, even though it’s less of a problem on my GMT800, I’m more than happy to take measures, to ensure less (or hopefully no-) oil is being sucked into the intake manifold.

 

[Caligirl]

It’s definitely preventative. It’s also something that some engine designs are more prone to than others. The LS engine is known for this, in varying amounts for different generations of the LS.

If you really need to see, you would need to look in the intake, to determine if there’s any oil buildup in there.

Personally, knowing it’s a common issue, even though it’s less of a problem on my GMT800, I’m more than happy to take measures, to ensure less (or hopefully no-) oil is being sucked into the intake manifold.

I am the ounce of prevention person, my husband the if it ain't broke bloke. Seeing eye to eye on stuff like this is a bit challenging haha. We balance each other out when I get too concerned about what ifs and he needs prodding with procrastination. I found a few videos with a million views regarding how these cans MAY help avoid/delay big mula repairs-maybe that will convince, and if I can beg or bribe him to do it, I may see if I can jump on the bandwagon. Wish me luck

 

[Decker73]

Great thread, thank you to everyone participating.
I have a question on a 2008 Tahoe LTZ with a 5.3L, 170K miles.
The truck runs great, but have 2 concerns, one I just posted about earlier.
1, my cold OP is 30, once hot it goes to 40-50psi like normal. No clue, but seems backwards.
2, I had some condensation in the filler cap, and a little in the oil when changed.
The truck was well taken care of prior, I picked it up a few months ago. I only drive usually very short trips daily, and in PA., so weather is usually cold and damp. I figured that was the condensation part at least, have been letting it idle an extra 5-10 minutes daily, and oil is staying clean.
I'm going to check the Carfax on it and see if it shows the valve cover was ever serviced.
If not, could that cause the condensation, and screwy OP issues ? Thank you

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[rdhogg]

I tried to jump on the catch can bandwagon after deleting the AFM on the ECM on my new to me 2007 Tahoe as a stop gap until oil spray happens eventually and causes issues (hey, maybe I already have the new cover and it's not gonna happen???).

But after purchasing an inexpensive one and my husband checking the oil multiple times and losing absolutely no oil and still clean in the first 2000 or 3000 miles we have owned, he's not too keen on installing it... if something isn't broken why fix it type of thing, ya know? So I guess unless I start having issues, we are not checking to see if I have the new valve cover and no catch can :/ *crossing fingers* But he said he is willing to change the oil sooner like many of you recommend.

Anyone benefit from it when there is no apparent oil loss?

I have had my CC installed for about 6,000 , miles and I have no apparent oil loss during this time, but I changed my oil today and drained my CC and had about 2/3 cup of oil, And that 2/3 cup of oil that did not go into the intake manifold to gum up the works

 

[wsteele]

Great thread, thank you to everyone participating.
I have a question on a 2008 Tahoe LTZ with a 5.3L, 170K miles.
The truck runs great, but have 2 concerns, one I just posted about earlier.
1, my cold OP is 30, once hot it goes to 40-50psi like normal. No clue, but seems backwards.
2, I had some condensation in the filler cap, and a little in the oil when changed.
The truck was well taken care of prior, I picked it up a few months ago. I only drive usually very short trips daily, and in PA., so weather is usually cold and damp. I figured that was the condensation part at least, have been letting it idle an extra 5-10 minutes daily, and oil is staying clean.
I'm going to check the Carfax on it and see if it shows the valve cover was ever serviced.
If not, could that cause the condensation, and screwy OP issues ? Thank you

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

The condensation is likely because of the short trips, not enough time for the engine to get hot enough to vaporize condensation in the engine from previous cool down cycle. Quite normal, although regrettable.

I don't think the updated valve cover would affect that issue. The updated valve cover moved the hole on the underside of the cover away from an oil squirt coming up from the rocker assembly, so oil wouldn't be thrown directly into the PCV airflow and back into the intake, gumming things up in the combustion chamber. High oil consumption is the symptom in this area.

I also don't think the updated valve cover and AFM pressure relief valve deflector would affect cold oil pressures. I think maybe getting an analog oil pressure check to verify the sender is working properly would be my first step. Next would be to replace the OP sender and screen below it. At least that is the way I would approach it. But those pressures, while screwy and calling into question the validity of any pressure readings, are within spec according to the manual.

 

[Just Fishing]

I view the catch can as a method to keep the cat converter living longer + burning oil can cause pinging.
pinging = less power as the computer retards ign.
I also saw some images of extreme oil burning, broken rings etc.

The final straw was when i pulled my intake off for the dod delete over the winter.
Poured oil out everywhere!!!
the intake does appear to have a bit of a catch can built in, just no way to drain it short of yanking that intake.

Going back,
My vette was the first one to get it.
main reason was the pcv has a direct line to the #2 cylinder.
Two times i had the intake open (has a lid i can remove), i saw a clear mud slide going straight down that runner.

When i had the heads off for the cam and cylinder head upgrade, i decided it was also getting a catch can.

With the new valve covers, i don't catch much, but i do catch some.
That some = crud that won't build up in my #2 cylinder.


First thing i did with the wife new to her car, catch can install!!!
It's totally ghetto for now, it's a later task to find a permanent spot to keep it.


If your hubby is the type that finds excuses to not do something, no point to force him.
But feel free to remind him that it's a possible future money saver.

 

[89Suburban]

I am the ounce of prevention person, my husband the if it ain't broke bloke. Seeing eye to eye on stuff like this is a bit challenging haha. We balance each other out when I get too concerned about what ifs and he needs prodding with procrastination. I found a few videos with a million views regarding how these cans MAY help avoid/delay big mula repairs-maybe that will convince, and if I can beg or bribe him to do it, I may see if I can jump on the bandwagon. Wish me luck

It's such a cheap and easy mod and it let's you monitor the blowby of the motor. It's kind of an eyeglass into the health of your motor and helps keep the intake system cleaner. Really no cons to doing it. And if you get a red one like me you get more horsepower.

 

[Sparksalot]

I drained the can I put in thecopcar after an 1,800 mile road trip. About a half ounce of crap.

simple mod for the win.

 

[89Suburban]

I drained the can I put in thecopcar after an 1,800 trip. About a half ounce of crap.

simple mod for the win.

That's great!

 

[phottomatt]

After reading most (less then half ) of this thread, I noticed one of the recommended CCs was the JLT, the discription says it's for the driver side. What's the difference between driver and passenger CC and wouldn't you want to first put one on the passenger side?

 

[gooffeyguy]

After reading most (less then half ) of this thread, I noticed one of the recommended CCs was the JLT, the discription says it's for the driver side. What's the difference between driver and passenger CC and wouldn't you want to first put one on the passenger side?

Passenger side is considered the "clean" side. Air is sucked into the valve cover (crankcase) from the intake tube to make up for the air being sucked from the driver side valve cover through the PCV to the intake.