Catch Can ****

[trailblazer]

Last oil change was about 2k miles ago. Truck gets a lot of remote-start time during the winter but we don’t really drive far with it as this ‘09 Tahoe has been replaced by a newer Yukon XL. I just drove 350 miles to visit family and this is what came out. This is the most I’ve ever seen since installing this can a couple years ago. It came out as a very very light trickle. I walked away for about 45 min to find this!!

 

[Fless]

Looks like a prime candidate for the updated driver's side valve cover, or has it had that replaced already?

 

[trailblazer]

Nope; I believe the production date was about a month before they made the change. Looks like a fun project for the next owner. I’ve just never seen it this bad before. I checked the oil level and it’s at 3/4 off the hatched area. Must just be a shîtload of water. I bet the throttle body has a small lake past it.

 

[gooffeyguy]

It's winter time, condensation happens, even just in the can when it gets hot engine vapors inside it and it's cold on the outside.

 

[Larryjb]

I had a LOT of trouble with condensation. It was clogging up my PCV quite badly too, and causing lifter noise that persisted throughout a 25 minute drive to work. I finally had to remove the can on mine. The PCV is clean, and lifter noise is minimal and gone once the engine is up to temperature. I figure that once the can filled with moisture, it started to get pulled in through the PCV as the engine cooled. I'm hoping that I didn't do too much damage with moisture getting into the valve train and lifters.

Other cans might be better, I did have a cheaper one that could only hold 30-40 mL total. (I could get a full 30-40 mL in condensation overnight where I live.)

 

[StrkAliteN]

Last oil change was about 2k miles ago. Truck gets a lot of remote-start time during the winter but we don’t really drive far with it as this ‘09 Tahoe has been replaced by a newer Yukon XL. I just drove 350 miles to visit family and this is what came out. This is the most I’ve ever seen since installing this can a couple years ago. It came out as a very very light trickle. I walked away for about 45 min to find this!!

View attachment 363068

Is this 'can' an aftermarket oil catch thing you have installed?

I am not aware of any such thing on my '07 Yukon

 

[wjburken]

Is this 'can' an aftermarket oil catch thing you have installed?

I am not aware of any such thing on my '07 Yukon

Yes. Aftermarket. It is put in-line between the valve cover and the intake manifold to capture any oil/vapor that may otherwise get sucked into the intake, which can muck things up.

 

[trailblazer]

This is a big can; that’s a 16oz coffee cup in the photo. I should have this dump into a 2L bottle. I recently installed a UPR kit in my 15’ Yukon and that comes with a tiny jar. Hopefully the ‘15 vintage 5.3 has the provisions to not allow such a ridiculous build up of moisture and oil.

 

[trailblazer]

It would be nice if these vendors sold something that has an automatic water-oil separator so the water can leach out leaving the oil behind. Maybe I’m asking too much here.

 

[89Suburban]

Hey at least it's doing it's job and not letting that s*it back into the intake. I check mine every two weeks.

 

[donjetman]

This is the most I’ve ever seen since installing this can a couple years ago. It came out as a very very light trickle.

We have a smallish catch can. Holds about 8 oz. We get about 2 oz every 10,000 miles from it. Doesn't have h2o in it, but smells like gasoline.

 

[trailblazer]

I got home about an hour ago. 550 miles expressway since I drained it a couple days ago. I’m guessing 3oz here?

 

[donjetman]

That's not right You got a lot more than condensation going on. Like a crack in a water passage leaking coolant into the crankcase. Are you losing coolant? Send a sample off to Blackstone labs for analysis https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

 

[Larryjb]

That's not right You got a lot more than condensation going on. Like a crack in a water passage leaking coolant into the crankcase. Are you losing coolant? Send a sample off to Blackstone labs for analysis https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

That can indeed be due to condensation. It depends on the can and environmental conditions. I was collecting an ounce of water every day, but not losing coolant.

 

[trailblazer]

Here it is separated after sitting since Sunday evening (I just took this photo). Odd layers of oil and two types of emulsion. Looks like chocolate syrup over a latté.

 

[donjetman]

Here it is separated after sitting since Sunday evening (I just took this photo). Odd layers of oil and two types of emulsion. Looks like chocolate syrup over a latté.

Does anybody else here get this in their catch can ??? I certainly don't. I posted a pic previously here.

 

[trailblazer]

This is the first time I’ve checked the new catch can in my 2015 Yukon XL 5.3. It’s FULL after about 1000 miles! Lol. I’m going to mod this like the one in my ‘09 to have a dump valve on the bottom. Unscrewing this was a hot mess. It’s easier to just turn a valve and drain into a cup.

 

[donjetman]

UNBELIEVEABLE ???????

 

[trailblazer]

I really wonder if I could just drill & tap the bottom of the cup (probably install a quick disconnect nipple) and have that connect with a hose to a bigger simple container that can sit on the battery box. Like a gallon of milk or Amsoil 4qt jug. These catch cans are in vacuum, correct? If so, then I’ll have to keep it from venting when the engine is on. I know that the manufacturer of the Yukon’s aluminum catch warns that freezing wx could cause their cups to crack open if not emptied. I just don’t want to dump this thing every few days.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Does anybody else here get this in their catch can ??? I certainly don't. I posted a pic previously here.

In the winter time when it's cold out the oil in my can will be that thicker light brown color only because of condensation.

My can doesn't get that full though. I empty it at oil change (5k miles) and once halfway between oil changes and it only gets maybe a shot glass amount each time.