Using a fuel filter as a oil catch can

[jimmybosox]

Hey,

I searched for this but didn't find some info I need to do this project.

I saw it on the underhood hot-click photo diagram, and I found 1 article on how to do it, but the guy must have been from Canada because the fuel filter he used he bought in Ontario. I haven't been able to find one like it. I want a see through fuel filter to install as a catch can...will this one work?

jcwhitney fuel filter

If not, anyone have a link to one they got and works well?

Anybody know what size hose/tubing that is coming off the valve cover so that I know what size fuel filter to buy?

I'm planning on changing out as many of the vacuum lines as I can at the same time with this Larson Hose Kit from Road Race Engineering since the ones I have look like they've seen better days, plus these look a little nicer.

On to my next post...I have a couple other questions and don't want them overlooked in this thread.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike1992]

I use to use these a while back and found they clogged with oil in about 2000 miles. I did away with it and just run a hose from the valve cover to the ground now. Your choice, but wasnt for me.

 

[IHeartTurbo]

Go to any random parts store and pick one up for $1-2. That's it. Why do people forget about parts stores? I mean, god damn.

 

[jimmybosox]

Go to any random parts store and pick one up for $1-2. That's it. Why do people forget about parts stores? I mean, god damn.

So...any fuel filter will do the trick then? I didn't forget about my local parts store...just wanted to go there with some idea of what I need. Size?

 

[J-Syght]

Here u go bro, i use the Fram G2 fuel filter, this it's my web page, but it should help u out. http://www.tgilmore.com/talon/catchcan.html

 

[J-Syght]

Sorry about that i meant to say it's not my web page, it belongs to the guy who helped me out with the same thing.

 

[CyberEye]

Here u go bro, i use the Fram G2 fuel filter, this it's my web page, but it should help u out. http://www.tgilmore.com/talon/catchcan.html

that's the one I use, got it for liek 3 bucks canadian, so will be really cheap for you. Just go to an autoparts store, hell go to Walmart, they'll have it.

 

[99gst_racer]

I got this one.

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It's got a breather on top, 2 inlets (one on each side), and the outlet is on the bottom. I have one hose gong from my valve cover to one of the inlets. And I have another hose coming from my PCV to the other inlet. Amd there is a little valve on the bottom to empty it. I like it alot. Only downside is the price.

 

[boostvr4]

I use a fuel filter for my dads old kz550.

 

[doug]

I have one like 99gst_racer has except the reservoir part is translucent so you can monitor the oil level inside; you can see it a little bit in one of my gallery pics hanging off one of the BOV mounting bolts. I used to use the fuel filter thing but I got tired of replacing it, so then I just ran a hose straight down to the ground for a while. Worked well but I became concerned with dirt and stuff getting into it so I finally bought a real catch can.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

get one for an older model chevy w/in line fuel filter...2 maybe 3 bucks max. change it out w/every oil change.


jim

 

[VBGSX]

I got this one.

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I made one like this for under $15
black abs plastic pipe
2 abs end caps
1 breather filter
2 hose barbs
vacuum hose

 

[99gst_racer]

I made one like this for under $15
black abs plastic pipe
2 abs end caps
1 breather filter
2 hose barbs
vacuum hose

Thats cool. Does your have a little petcock valve on the bottom too. It sure makes it easy to empty it. I paid like $30 for mine though..... You got any pics of yours?

 

[VBGSX]

I'll try to take a pic of it.
There use to be a page that told how to make it(with pics). I haven't been able to locate it though.
I put a petcock on mine(just add about $3). If you didn't want one, you could just use one or two screws to secure the top cap. Then just pull the cap off and dump it out.
Luckily I haven't had to drain it yet(very little blow by).

EDIT....oops it needs to be dumped.... Last time I checked it was the beginning of summer

 

[WSU99GSX]

This might sounds stupid, but by not having that air go back into the intake are you not losing some metered air? Again sorry if that sounds stupid, but just making sure before I replace my fuel filter catch can with one from RRE.

 

[VBGSX]

This might sounds stupid, but by not having that air go back into the intake are you not loosing some metered air? Again sorry if that sounds stupid, but just making sure before I replace my fuel filter catch can with one from RRE.

Not stupid at all. You're not losing metered air because the pcv valve is a one way valve into the manifold. What can happen? At idle and part throttle, you can suck in unmetered air.

I run DSMlink and I was getting unmetered air coming through. It threw my fuel trims off just slightly.
All you do is eliminate the pcv valve or leave it in place and route it with a vacuum hose to the catch can. Then cap it off on the intake mani.

Go here and read the bottom of the install
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/instructions/catchcaninstructions.htm

edit....

 

[WSU99GSX]

Not stupid at all. You're not losing metered air because the pcv valve is a one way valve into the manifold. What can happen? At idle and part throttle, you can suck in unmetered air.

I run DSMlink and I was getting unmetered air coming through. It threw my fuel trims off just slightly.
All you do is eliminate the pcv valve or leave it in place and route it with a vacuum hose to the catch can. Then cap it off on the intake mani.

Go here and read the bottom of the install
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/instructions/catchcaninstructions.htm

edit....

Cool that is what I wanted to know, as far as removing the PCV is that emissions legal? We have testing here in AZ. Also can I just hollow out a PCV valve and use it rather then retapping the valve cover that way if I want to go back I can. Thanks.

 

[doug]

No, and yes. It's not emissions legal, but yes you can hollow out a PCV valve and use that.

 

[VBGSX]

1. You can hollow it out.
2. You can leave the pcv valve in place, unmodified and just route it to the catch can with the vacuum hose.
Either way will work fine.
If you have to put it back for emissions checking, I would use #2(not hollow it out).
If you hollow it out, you'll have to buy another one to put it back to stock.

 

[91 white tsi]

i dont understand how this works in removing or hollowing it out. when my PCV valve went bad it made a major boost leak, isnt that the same as not having one or hollowing it out. and on that diagram thingy link.."On 1G intake manifolds, the fitting that puts the PCV valve air back into the intake manifold can be used as a fitting to screw into the valve cover. Unscrew it and plug the hole closed. "...does that make sense to anyone else and im just not reading it right?

 

[VBGSX]

i dont understand how this works in removing or hollowing it out. when my PCV valve went bad it made a major boost leak, isnt that the same as not having one or hollowing it out. and on that diagram thingy link.."On 1G intake manifolds, the fitting that puts the PCV valve air back into the intake manifold can be used as a fitting to screw into the valve cover. Unscrew it and plug the hole closed. "...does that make sense to anyone else and im just not reading it right?

It makes perfect sence..
It's ok, I'll try to explain it even easier.

OK, if you are stock(no catchcan) then the PCV valve must be in good working order. It can not be hollowed out. It has to work as a one way check valve or it will be a direct boost leak.

Now if you are going to run a catch can you have 2 options.
Option 1
1. run the valve cover breather to the catch can. End here and be done with it.
Note......If this is as far as you want to go, the pcv valve must be working properly
Option 2
1. do number 1 with the exception of the "note".
2. Now run the pcv valve to the catch can. If you are running the pcv valve to the catch can, it can be hollowed out, left stock or replaced by a nipple.
3. Once you run the pcv valve to the catch can, you MUST plug(cap off) the intake manifold where the pcv valve's hose USE to plug into.

Now back to RRE's site and your last question.
What they are saying is. On a 1g, you can remove the pcv valve. Next remove the nipple on the intake manifold. That nipple can now be screwed into where the pcv valve use to be. All that is left to do is cap off the hole on the manifold where the nipple use to be.

I hope that helps

 

[WSU99GSX]

It makes perfect sence..
It's ok, I'll try to explain it even easier.

OK, if you are stock(no catchcan) then the PCV valve must be in good working order. It can not be hollowed out. It has to work as a one way check valve or it will be a direct boost leak.

Now if you are going to run a catch can you have 2 options.
Option 1
1. run the valve cover breather to the catch can. End here and be done with it.
Note......If this is as far as you want to go, the pcv valve must be working properly
Option 2
1. do number 1 with the exception of the "note".
2. Now run the pcv valve to the catch can. If you are running the pcv valve to the catch can, it can be hollowed out, left stock or replaced by a nipple.
3. Once you run the pcv valve to the catch can, you MUST plug(cap off) the intake manifold where the pcv valve's hose USE to plug into.

Now back to RRE's site and your last question.
What they are saying is. On a 1g, you can remove the pcv valve. Next remove the nipple on the intake manifold. That nipple can now be screwed into where the pcv valve use to be. All that is left to do is cap off the hole on the manifold where the nipple use to be.

I hope that helps

Perfect sense, and it also allows me to switch back to emissions legal for an inspection. Fantastic....

 

[Defiant]

Perfect sense, and it also allows me to switch back to emissions legal for an inspection. Fantastic....

Yes. Now, if only removing the PCV would do anything at all for performance, you'd be onto something.

 

[doug]

Keeping a bunch of oily crap out of your intake doesn't help? Can't hurt.

 

[mtwollet]

BE AWARE THIS CAN F**** YOUR VALVE SEALS I WOULD'NT DO it . THAT MOD COST ME 700.00 in repairs