PCV / Oil Catch Can setup - Need some advice on an install

[ErikTande]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-engine-fuel/366890-4g63t-pcv-system.html

I was reading this ^^ article to fix my dipstick popping up problem (giggity), so I decided to go with Setup #1 (PCV Setup #1 – The Improved Factory Setup.) I ordered a catch can to go between the intake manifold and the valve cover, along with a new PCV valve and a Kynar check valve.


I took the setup to a local shop for install, and they said I'd be better off with this setup (pic below), with boring out the PCV valve so it's open all the time. I said OK and they did the install.

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I re-read the article, and that can't be the best option for street use / daily driver, right? My catch can only has two connection options, I would need a third to the inake for this to work properly, right? Or is it fine the way it is? This is my catch can:

http://www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=20383&cat=731&page=1

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[boost97gst]

Wait, theres no vacuum hooked up to the catch can? Then whats pulling your cc gases out? I would want a vacuum line hooked up from the catch to IM with a us plastics check valve in line.

 

[T is for TURBO]

I agree. Ditch the vented can, and go with a sealed unit. Then add a line from the catch can to the intake tube (pre-turbo) to help draw the crank case pressure out.

 

[ErikTande]

Ah, did I buy the wrong type of catch can then? What's the best setup with this vented can? Would this work?

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Can I use a vented can with this setup (below)? (with just one catch can between the intake manifold and PCV valve?

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[greengoblin]

You can not hook a vented can up to the intake pipe. It will allow the car to pull in un metered air since it after the MAF .

 

[ErikTande]

You can not hook a vented can up to the intake pipe. It will allow the car to pull in un metered air since it after the MAF .

Ah ok, that makes sense. Can I use this setup then?: Or is the setup I currently have (first post) fine?

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[Deuce_three]

You could remove the filter then seal the opening with a cap of some sort. That way you don't pull unmetered air.

 

[ErikTande]

You could remove the filter then seal the opening with a cap of some sort. That way you don't pull unmetered air.

I might do that, or just replace it with a sealed can.


Are there any viable options for a vented can?

 

[rvaughn]

The vented can is not the optimal choice for our vehicles; I am not the expert but if you read all of the artical that has been referenced, it is clear that the best option, no matter what configuration you run, is to use a sealed can with a vaccum source to help pull the cc pressure / blowby into the can. Not as easy of a setup, however, I think you will be much happier with that type of setup over a vented setup.

 

[T is for TURBO]

No point in running a vented can in my opinion. Plug it and you'll be happy. You'll get WAY more CC pressure evacuation with a sealed unit with a draw from the pre-turbo intake pipe. Any reason you want to get rid of the PCV valve?

 

[ErikTande]

No point in running a vented can in my opinion. Plug it and you'll be happy. You'll get WAY more CC pressure evacuation with a sealed unit with a draw from the pre-turbo intake pipe. Any reason you want to get rid of the PCV valve?

I just ordered a sealed can to run setup #1 as originally planned.

Anyone want to buy a JM Fab Oil Catch Can?

 

[T is for TURBO]

I just ordered a sealed can to run setup #1 as originally planned.

Anyone want to buy a JM Fab Oil Catch Can?

 

[jaredS83]

Even with sealed catchcan I still don't see how the crankcase gas is metered seeing as it is still after maf??

 

[T is for TURBO]

Even with sealed catchcan I still don't see how the crankcase gas is metered seeing as it is still after maf??

Huh? It's not supposed to be metered. That is exactly how the stock system works. When under boost, the PCV valve closes so you the engine isn't pressurizing itself. So in order to evacuate those gasses/pressure when the PCV valve is closed, there is a vacuum line connected from the VC to the intake snorkel. When boosting, the inlet of the turbo creates a strong vacuum and draws the CC gasses out of the CC. During cruise, the PCV valve does most of this, as the vacuum draw is much stronger at the inake manifold.

The reason you don't want a vented can tied into the snorkel is because it will pull fresh air in post MAF and cause a lean condition. With a sealed unit, this doesn't happen, as it operates much more like the stock setup. CC gasses don't affect the a/f ratio like un-metered air entering the system would.

 

[Tim_I]

could you just hook a vacuum line up instead of putting the filter on the catch can?? A JMF can came with my car and i'm saving up for link and don't really have the extra cash to buy a new sealed catch can.. But if its a waste to hook up the JMF i will sell it to help buy a new one.

 

[T is for TURBO]

could you just hook a vacuum line up instead of putting the filter on the catch can?? A JMF can came with my car and i'm saving up for link and don't really have the extra cash to buy a new sealed catch can.. But if its a waste to hook up the JMF i will sell it to help buy a new one.

Possibly? It depends on how it is constructed. If there aren't any baffles and/or filtering media, it would probably suck the CC gases right out of the catch can as soon as they enter the can. Which would defeat the purpose of a catch can in the first place.

 

[Tim_I]

Possibly? It depends on how it is constructed. If there aren't any baffles and/or filtering media, it would probably suck the CC gases right out of the catch can as soon as they enter the can. Which would defeat the purpose of a catch can in the first place.

Thats what i was worried about. i remember seeing somewhere that some catch cans used steel wool as a filtering media. So in theory if i filled it with that it would ###### work until i got a new one correct???

 

[T is for TURBO]

Steel wool can corrode, break down, and go through your engine. I would advise against that idea.

 

[Tim_I]

Steel wool can corrode, break down, and go through your engine. I would advise against that idea.

well i wont be doing that then. thanks for the info

 

[T is for TURBO]

No problem. It won't hurt to run with out a catch can for a little while, unless you have a LOT of blow-by.

 

[Tim_I]

yea I'm running without one now. was just gonna install this one when did the headgasket and some other stuff to it this weekend.

 

[ErikTande]

Here's a pic of the current setup with the JMF vented catch can and no PCV or check valve. I'll be switching to sealed cans in the future. This seems to be working surprisingly well though, although I don't have any measurements to confirm it. Dipstick isn't popping anymore though.

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[T is for TURBO]

The problem with that setup is that while you are cruising, you have nothing to draw the gasses out of the crack case. Is there a reason why you eliminated the PCV valve?

 

[SPYDERGSTTUNER]

I have the same can that you do and I ran into the same issue, so what I did to make it a sealed can was remove the filter on top and put a hose to that nipple from my intake pipe to have vaccume. There's no way to filter it but at least you seal the system and as long as you empty it often you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[ErikTande]

The problem with that setup is that while you are cruising, you have nothing to draw the gasses out of the crack case. Is there a reason why you eliminated the PCV valve?

I didn't, the guy that installed it did, he explained it was the best setup for this catch can. My fault for not fully understanding the difference before I ordered it. I was going to do this setup (http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-engine-fuel/366890-4g63t-pcv-system.html) and ordered the catch can, new PCV valve and check valve. Problem is I ordered a vented can, not a sealed one.

I still have the new PCV valve and kynar check valve, I'm going to install them when my new (sealed) catch can gets here this week.