Crankcase ventilation gases are also piped to the air intake system, this gas contains oil mist and water in the form of condensation. The hot exhaust gas contains carbon (soot) and other by-products of combustion that would not normally attach to the intake manifold if not for another emission control process called Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV). In the EGR process some exhaust gases are piped to the air intake system, this modifies the combustion process thereby lowering Nitrous Oxide emissions produced. This requires some explanation: Modern diesel engines suffer from a condition brought about by an emission control process called Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). The result is that the build-up of deposits is GREATLY reduced.Įssentially it’s to prevent or reduce carbon deposit accumulation in the intake manifold of engines. By installing an Oil Mist Separator, often called a Catch Can, the oil mist and water vapour are substantially removed from the combination thereby taking away the ingredient that allows the soot to stick. Removing the deposits involves disassembly of the intake system from the engine, both time consuming and expensive. These deposits build up over time to a point where they severely restrict the flow of air, causing reduced performance and fuel efficiency. It’s the combination of the oil with soot that creates the problem. When the crankcase gases from CCV combine with the exhaust gases from EGR, the oil mist mixes with the soot particles to produce a mixture that attaches to the walls of the intake manifold. The hot exhaust gas contains carbon (soot) and other by-products of combustion that would not normally attach to the intake manifold if not for another emission control process called Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV).Ĭrankcase ventilation gases are also piped to the air intake system, this gas contains oil mist and water in the form of vapour. Any vehicle with a PCV can benefit from an oil separator since the oil vapors will always find their way into the intake.Modern diesel engines suffer from a condition brought about by an emission control process called Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). Remember, an oil separator does not have a breather and will be part of the closed PCV system. A breather attaches to the top of the catch can and is secured with a clamp.
The passenger side line attaches to the vent tube, runs along the coolant hose and to the other fitting on the can. The first line attaches to the driver’s side valve cover vent and routes under the intake manifold and attaches to a Dash 6 fitting on the catch can. To make the connections to the catch can you can use a push on fitting. This location allows easy access to the drain on the bottom of the can and gives you a nice path for the lines to follow from the vents. The catch can will be mounted to the bracket that secures the remote thermostat housing in place. The catch can will be mounted somewhere in the engine bay. To get started installing, run lines from each vent on the LS valve covers which will route up to the catch can that has fittings on either side.
It has a mesh screen and filter material that traps the oil and vapor.
This can dilute the fuel, lowering the octane rating and creating a sludge-like film through the entire intake track.Ī catch can is designed with baffling on the inside to trap oil and vapor in the bottom side of the reservoir while still allowing the crankcase to breathe freely through a filter that’s on the top side.Īn oil separator is placed in line between PCV hoses. In the case of a vehicle with a PCV system, the vapors are directed into the intake tube then into the intake manifold and its runners. With the movement of the rotating assembly and already having positive pressure in the crankcase, a large amount of oil in the form of vapor is pushed towards the breathers. Blow by occurs when expanding gasses and pressure from combustion work their way past the piston rings and find their way into the crank case, causing a positive pressure. The cause of the problem that all cars have to some degree, is called blow by. Oil separators are included in this category and are used in line with the PCV system on vehicles equipped with them. There are a few different designs when it comes to oil catch cans.