Oil Catch cans
 

I THINK this is the right area... (Sorry mods if it's not)

But I wanted to install some oil catch cans. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the purpose is to take out oil from the PCV system and prevent it from going back into the intake/engine...

At one time I had breathers on my old car and it smelled like death, so I took them off


The real question: Do you need expensive ones?
What's the disadvantage to using:
Universal Aluminium Car Engine Oil Catch Tank Can Filter Reservoir | eBay

Has anyone used a cheap-o eBay one?


I do believe in "you get what you pay for", but I just don't get it...




Thanks in advance:tiphat:

This is a big discussion on the BMW e90post forum. This fix specifically handles the blow back that TT 335i and M models have. The problem is that at some point within 30K to 40K miles, the valves need to be blasted to remove the oil/carbon buildup (I had this done twice by BMW). This mainly occurs when you drive aggressively and increase boost to the upper range.

Unless you running a TT...Don't think we have the same issues. Would like to hear from any other members as I am thinking about installing the Oil Catch Can by BMS on my 335i .

same thing with the volvo community. only time u need to worry about catch cans is when running much higher boost. never would worry about it on this car

I'm NA, but why not keep the oil out?
I understand that car makers design a car a certain way, but the PCV system is more for environmental purposes...
i don't think the oil will ever clog anything on out cars, MAYBE the PCV valve itself, but it's usually a cheap fix (or at least on my last car it was $4)

Great info: Catch Cans


But it says:
Not all Catch Cans are created equally! Most Catch Cans on the market are just comprised of an empty container with 2 ports. While that simple design may trap a few oil droplets, our Catch Can is designed to condense the oil vapor and trap the oil inside the container.

Our test proven design incorporates a stainless steel mesh and screening mechanism that acts like a maze to collect and condense the oil vapor.



I have seen a lot of people adding steel wool for that reason anyways...

Again some of the members that installed the catch cans on their BMW's never see any oil in the can. Others that drive very aggressively and create very high boost on the TT do see as much as a 1/4 of an inch in oil over time. It is a $200 investment, but I think for the Z it is a waste.

For $200, I'm not doing it, I agree, BUT if you buy the cheap eBay for $40 (assuming you buy 2) plus $2 for Stainless Steel wool, would it be worth it?

Mainly, what separates a $20 on from a $150-200 one?

It's hard to say without links to specific cans. A good can has some kind of baffling/condensing design, and a poor can is an empty box. I would imagine there's both good cheap ones and expensive bad ones.

I run this can: PCV Oil Catch Can for 1997-2004 C5,C5 Z06, C6 LS2 and Z06 Corvette, which is a very solid unit at $160 and has a pretty good condenser/baffle system. Their target market is Vettes, but I happened to know about them because I used one on my Trans-Am years ago. They don't make mounts for our car, but it fits well in the battery box after you relocate the battery :).