Oil catch can is a car modification that many are doubtful to use. Why?
Maybe because they thought that the engineers didn’t include them as stock engine component, so people look at them as just another financial rip off. Others think that their engines don’t need catch can, or they just don’t believe in these types of mod.
Whatever the reasons you might have, this post will give you 5 reasons why your engine needs an oil catch can. Read on, this can change your perception about this mod.
But first, what is this tool and how does it work?
What is Oil Catch Can?
Oil catch can or sometimes called as oil catch tank or oil separator, is a device that is fitted between the crankcase ventilation system and the air intake system of a car engine.
Its main purpose is to reduce (not to completely filter) the amount of oil vapors that are being recirculated back into the intake of the engine.
Most oil catch tank are made of iron, steel or aluminum, while some oil separators are made of alloy and glass. The above image is a great example of an aftermarket oil catch can.
This device is an effective tool in filtering excessive oil vapors that are coming from the engine, which in turn helps your air intake system, combustion and exhaust system clean and more reliable.
How does Oil Catch Can Work?
As mentioned above, oil catch can are fitted between the crankcase ventilation system and the air intake system. The purpose is to “catch” or filter that oil mist or vapors that’s passing through the ventilation system.
These vapors include mixtures of gas, unburned fuel, water vapor and oil, all settle in the can. These greatly minimizes the possibility of carbon deposit accumulation inside the engine.
Where does these oil vapors come from you ask?
These oil vapors are the byproduct of the combustion process that occurs inside the combustion chamber. These gases with oil mist accumulates inside the crankcase which creates tremendous pressure. This is sometimes refer to as blow-by.
Engineers found a way to release this pressure by installing positive crankcase ventilation system or PCV, which are commonly found in petrol engines. On diesel engines, usually the pressure is released through a tube called breather.
These gases exits the said breather or PCV and then redirected back into the air intake system so that it can be burned again. The process seems to be a great solution on how to get rid of that excess oil vapors.
But as mentioned above, these oil vapors are bad as it leaves carbon deposits all over the engine especially in the cylinders and pistons and other components such as the intake and exhaust system.
So installing an oil catch tank between the crankcase ventilation and the intake system will help reduce these oil vapors from reaching the intake system and causing issues that are mentioned above.
5 Reasons to Install an Oil Catch Can
With the said facts above, it is certainly beneficial if you install a catch can into your engine. It will make your engine more reliable and powerful even for a high mileage car.
So to further convince you to use an oil catch can, here are some of the reasons or benefits, why an oil catch can is a good investment for your car.
Oil Catch Can Helps Keep Your Engine Clean
Who wants a clean engine? Of course, every car owner wants a clean engine. But oil catch can won’t help clean your engine’s exterior, but it will help maintain a cleaner engine inside which is much more important.
Catching or filtering those oil vapors help prevent any unwanted soot and carbon deposit build up inside the intake system, combustion and exhaust system. This means that you can enjoy longer engine lifespan.
Prevents Engine Trouble
Again, carbon build up cause dozens of issues for your engine and will truly shortens the serviceable life of your car. And one way to fight off carbon deposit is to filter them right away using oil catch can.
Some of the engine issues that you can experience due to excessive carbon deposit include the following:
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- Poor acceleration
- Increase in blow by gases
- Engine misfires
- Rough idle
- Loss of power
- Reduced fuel efficiency
- Check engine light turned on
- Cold stalling
These are just some of the possible issues that I know off, and there could be more. Comment down below your additional suggestions about carbon deposit’s bad effects.
Keeps Your Engine More Reliable and Powerful for Years
In contrast from the previous reason, using an oil catch can can help make your engine more reliable and in tip top performance for years.
Without carbon deposits and soot, air flow is not restricted as the passage ways are not clogged due to excessive carbon. This ensures that enough air is sucked by the engine for proper combustion which gives power to your engine.
This also helps your engine to be more reliable even in high revs.
Oil catch tank doesn’t just help maintain your engine’s power, but it also helps keep your engine cool. Yes, giving your engine cool and clean air helps lower your engine’s temperature which is truly important for engine’s overall performance.
Increases Fuel Efficiency
This is one of the best reasons why you need this device – it can help reduce fuel consumption!
As mentioned above, these oil vapors or blow by gases escapes from the crankcase ventilation and is being redirected back into the engine. Oil catch can catches the oil residue which keeps your intake valve clean and ensures long life of the engine.
This also affects fuel consumption of an engine. Installing an oil catch can can significantly improve fuel economy by preventing any reduction in the octane level of fuel as they are not mixed with water and oil vapors. This is possible due to less carbon deposits in the intake system and valve.
Save on Vehicle Maintenance Expenses
Another big reason why you should install an oil catch can as soon as possible – save on vehicle maintenance expenses.
Without oil catch tank, your entire air intake system (intake manifold, turbocharger, throttle body, and even EGR) will accumulate carbon and soot which greatly impairs its performance. Not to mention other components where carbon also accumulates such as the pistons and its rings, intake valves and many others.
For example, intake manifold and EGR replacement could cost you $150 to $400 in replacement parts, with $60 to $150 labor fees. Cleaning of these parts costs around $100 depending on the shop.
So if you can significantly reduce the amount of carbon deposits inside your engine, you can prolong the life of your engine, save more on cleaning and labor costs, and you can enjoy your car for a long time.
Summary
There you have it! Above are just 5 benefits of using an oil catch can, and there’s more that aren’t discussed here.
Whether you have a brand new engine or a high mileage car, oil catch can is definitely a great modification device that can give your car many benefits.
To give you an idea if oil catch can can truly traps oil or not, watch my own video below and see for yourself how oil catch can really works.
The video is in Tagalog language but has English subtitle. So enjoy watching!
