Oil catch can?

[gone_fishing]

When I originally installed my RX catch can, I didn't opt for the clean side separator they offer. After finding oil in my Volant CAI tube (http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/168584-oil-in-intake-tubeanyone-else-check-theirs/), I decided to install their clean side separator. Per Tracy at RX, I was told add a hose that basically connect the two valve cover breathers together. The clean side separator goes to one of my intake tube fittings and the other fitting is capped. RX instructions: https://www.rxperformanceproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CLEAN-SIDE-SEPARATOR-INSTALLATION-INSTRUCTIONS-FOR-ALL-GM-DIRECT-INJECTION-V8.pdf

 

 

[DanY]

^ So this essentially only helps for WOT scenarios? Are they fairly simple to install?

The clean side separator from Elite or RX are basically the same setup and very easy to install.

 

I looked at both RX and Elite and they are both quality setups. I went with Elite mostly because I

have their catch can installed in my 2011 Z06 and have been very happy with it. I'm also not sure

if the RX can has the steel wool material in it to capture the oil vapor and condense out the oil.

Maybe an RX owner can pipe in on this.

 

The clean side separator has a base which threads into the valve cover just like the oil fill cap.

Then the CSS is pressed into that base and is retained by a double o-ring friction fit. To add oil

just pull out the CSS and put a funnel into the base.

 

The following link are the Elite installation instructions for the catch can and clean side separator.

 

http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/content/Catch_Can_Install_Chevy_GMC_2014_5.3L_6.2L_Truck.pdf

Edited April 7, 2015 by DanY

[Jsdirt]

Wow that's crazy. Starting to appreciate my older model now. Two hoses and done in less than 10 minutes (if I hadn't had to splice a hose that was too short). No other additions to the catch can needed.

 

What the hell was GM thinking with that abortion of an air chamber? First time I've seen the new engines - yikes!

Edited April 7, 2015 by Jsdirt

[Silverado-Hareek]

The clean side separator from Elite or RX are basically the same setup and very easy to install.

 

I looked at both RX and Elite and they are both quality setups. I went with Elite mostly because I

have their catch can installed in my 2011 Z06 and have been very happy with it. I'm also not sure

if the RX can has the steel wool material in it to capture the oil vapor and condense out the oil.

Maybe an RX owner can pipe in on this.

 

The clean side separator has a base which threads into the valve cover just like the oil fill cap.

Then the CSS is pressed into that base and is retained by a double o-ring friction fit. To add oil

just pull out the CSS and put a funnel into the base.

 

The following link are the Elite installation instructions for the catch can and clean side separator.

 

http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/content/Catch_Can_Install_Chevy_GMC_2014_5.3L_6.2L_Truck.pdf

 

The RX system I think draws in fresh air. There's no oil to seperate, just a filter to filter the air coming in so particles don't get into your engine. The RX system bypasses the valve cover altogether.

[Silverado-Hareek]

When I originally installed my RX catch can, I didn't opt for the clean side separator they offer. After finding oil in my Volant CAI tube (http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/168584-oil-in-intake-tubeanyone-else-check-theirs/), I decided to install their clean side separator. Per Tracy at RX, I was told add a hose that basically connect the two valve cover breathers together. The clean side separator goes to one of my intake tube fittings and the other fitting is capped. RX instructions: https://www.rxperformanceproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CLEAN-SIDE-SEPARATOR-INSTALLATION-INSTRUCTIONS-FOR-ALL-GM-DIRECT-INJECTION-V8.pdf

 

 

 

What I don't understand is how you can go from a system that draws air from the valve cover to capping off the valve cover for good. How can you just eliminate the draw from there completely.

 

Go easy on me I don't understand engines that well haha just what I read on this forum and the internet. But logically speaking, if the intake tube is drawing air from the valve covers, how can you then go to a set up that no longer does this. I understand the intake isn't affected but what about the valve covers?

Edited April 7, 2015 by Silverado-Hareek

[Jsdirt]

Don't feel bad - I've been working on engines for over 3 decades and I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this.

 

Emissions systems add so much unecessary complexity ...

[DanY]

What I don't understand is how you can go from a system that draws air from the valve cover to capping off the valve cover for good. How can you just eliminate the draw from there completely.

 

Go easy on me I don't understand engines that well haha just what I read on this forum and the internet. But logically speaking, if the intake tube is drawing air from the valve covers, how can you then go to a set up that no longer does this. I understand the intake isn't affected but what about the valve covers?

The RX and Elite CSS both draw air from the oil fill cap, driver side valve cover and supply it to the air box before the throttle body. The 2 ports on the valve covers are connected together so this gives a path from both covers through the CSS to the air box. But the CSS keeps oil from being drawn into the air box.

[Silverado-Hareek]

The RX and Elite CSS both draw air from the oil fill cap, driver side valve cover and supply it to the air box before the throttle body. The 2 ports on the valve covers are connected together so this gives a path from both covers through the CSS to the air box. But the CSS keeps oil from being drawn into the air box.

 

Alright i'm missing something. In the stock set up, both valve covers have their own hose that connects to the air box on their respective sides of the air box.

 

With a CSS set up, the valve covers are connected together, the passenger side port on the air box is capped, and the driver side port on the airbox is connected to the clean side separator. The draw of air from the valve covers to the airbox is eliminated so what happens to the air in the valve covers...it just sits there and doesn't need to be evacuated like the crankcase gases do to relieve pressure? How can you just connect both valve covers to each other like that?

[DanY]

 

Alright i'm missing something. In the stock set up, both valve covers have their own hose that connects to the air box on their respective sides of the air box.

 

With a CSS set up, the valve covers are connected together, the passenger side port on the air box is capped, and the driver side port on the airbox is connected to the clean side separator. The draw of air from the valve covers to the airbox is eliminated so what happens to the air in the valve covers...it just sits there and doesn't need to be evacuated like the crankcase gases do to relieve pressure? How can you just connect both valve covers to each other like that?

OK, I'm obviously not being clear. The CSS draws air from the driver side valve cover via the oil fill cap hole. It does not draw in any outside air. Think of it as replacing the orignal driver side vent hose that goes to the airbox. The difference is that there is now some stainless material in the CSS that captures the oil leaving the valve cover. The original passenger side vent hose that went to the airbox is replaced by one that goes to the driver side valve cover.

 

It is still a closed system that connects the valve cover to the airbox using only one hose that runs through the CSS instead of

directly into the airbox. It maintains the passenger valve cover connection by routing it to the driver valve cover.

 

Hope that helps.

[SkiDooNick700]

I just visited my dealer and talked to the shop foreman about Catch Cans. He is telling me those won't help with carbon build up on the intake valves. He says carbon is a by product of burning gasoline and that the Intake valves will get carbon build up regardless of whether you run a catch can or not. He says it's recommended every 15,000 miles you use an intake cleaner...

 

Still think I'll run a Catch Can.....

[Jsdirt]

He's right ... but oil will add even more, bigger, & goey-er buildup.

 

Here's an intake valve out of a Kohler CV730 v-twin lawn tractor engine that burned oil (at 160 hours - former GM engineers working there? ) due to a faulty OEM installed head gasket. Just imagine how bad this would have been without a carburetor washing most of it off!

 

Edited April 7, 2015 by Jsdirt

[Spurshot]

When I originally installed my RX catch can, I didn't opt for the clean side separator they offer. After finding oil in my Volant CAI tube (http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/168584-oil-in-intake-tubeanyone-else-check-theirs/), I decided to install their clean side separator. Per Tracy at RX, I was told add a hose that basically connect the two valve cover breathers together. The clean side separator goes to one of my intake tube fittings and the other fitting is capped. RX instructions: https://www.rxperformanceproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CLEAN-SIDE-SEPARATOR-INSTALLATION-INSTRUCTIONS-FOR-ALL-GM-DIRECT-INJECTION-V8.pdf

 

 

 

This makes perfect sense to me... or you can add another catch can on the "clean side" rocker cover tubes. same-same.

 

I like your setup for the clean side.

 

 

This is my understanding of how it works on our trucks...except possibly on WFO.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Sure, you can post up a video someone else has posted to prove your point. But I'm asking is this: HAS ANYONE BORESCOPED AN ECOTEC WITH A CATCH CAN TO SEE IF IT ACTUALLY MADE IMPROVEMENTS?

 

I would prefer if this was done by a forum member or someone who doesn't stand to gain financially from posting you tube videos of these supposed benefits...

I just got a really crazy idea....Why don't you purchase one and install, then run a scope through your Ecotec engine and let everyone know what you find.

When you finish, come here and post your findings with pictures. That way, you can prove your own point and not try to belittle someone that is only trying to help you out by posting a video that actually answers the question you had asked.

 

 

Sent from my crappy iPhone 6

using Tapatalk

[Silverado-Hareek]

OK, I'm obviously not being clear. The CSS draws air from the driver side valve cover via the oil fill cap hole. It does not draw in any outside air. Think of it as replacing the orignal driver side vent hose that goes to the airbox. The difference is that there is now some stainless material in the CSS that captures the oil leaving the valve cover. The original passenger side vent hose that went to the airbox is replaced by one that goes to the driver side valve cover.

 

It is still a closed system that connects the valve cover to the airbox using only one hose that runs through the CSS instead of

directly into the airbox. It maintains the passenger valve cover connection by routing it to the driver valve cover.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Oh I see thank you that makes much more sense now. I didn't realize it was drawing anything from the oil fill hole I thought it was just using the oil fill hole as a place to mount the separator. I didn't know you could even use the fill hole for something like drawing air from the valve cover. Thanks for the clarification and explanation.

[Jsdirt]

Don't know why GM feels the need to take something that works, and re-engineer it into a overly complex system that sucks oil into the intake even worse. Unbelievable ...