Oil in intake tube...anyone else check theirs???

gone_fishing · January 17, 2015

Almost forgot to post this. Back in November I had one of my ballast go out on my DDM HID lights. It was the passenger side light and to get to the bulb you have to remove the engine air filter box. When I began to remove the intake tube I noticed oil collecting in the boot that goes between the tube and air filter box. Looking down the inside of the tube I discovered more oil. I have since cleaned the tube and the MAF sensor and installed the RX clean side separator. I will inspect the tube again later to see if this has stopped oil from getting into the intake tube. I have had my Volant CAI with Donaldson dry filter on for almost 15,000 miles now (installed May 2014) and my RX catch can about 9,000 miles now (installed September 2014). I don't recall seeing any oil in the factory intake tube when I installed the Volant. I don't know why the Volant design would collect any more but I thought I would ask if anyone else has found oil collecting in their intake tube (factory or aftermarket). Thanks.

Silverado-Hareek · January 19, 2015

My system is all stock and when I installed my oil catch can, I noticed both clean side lines had a tiny bit of oil at the snap lock fitting but the air box was completely dry on the inside and my throttle body was dry and clean as well. I have the 5.3L engine. Based on what you're describing it appears the oil is originating at your air box which doesn't make sense because where would the oil be coming from? Regardless, the flow of air would imply oil wouldn't flow back toward this gasket unless your CAI pipe is sloped down toward the airbox and there's a tremendous amount of oil coming through your clean side lines. You're certain you have a dry air filter and not an oiled filter? (Seems like too much oil even if it was an oiled filter, just asking to be sure). I didn't inspect the tube too closely though. I didn't think to based on the flow of air and the fact that my airbox and throttle body were clean and dry.

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TJay74 · January 19, 2015

it has to be from the valve cover fitting that feed the valve cover air back into the intake system. At least that is my guess.

gone_fishing · January 20, 2015

I should have mentioned that the breather hose that went from the passenger side valve cover to the intake tube was very oily inside. The driver side hose had oil in also but the passenger side hose had more for some reason. From what I have gathered, this is the clean side of the system and allows fresh (clean) air to come into the engine crankcase. It's when at WOT that the lack of vacuum allows air to reverse.

The only theory I can come up with why my Volant intake had oil in and not the factory intake is due to the length of the breather hose. The factory setup uses pretty short hoses that go from the valve covers to the intake box. They are also covered in some sort of foam (maybe for insulation?). My theory is that the short/insulated hose prevents oil from collecting in the hose. The Volant setup uses a hose that is about a foot long. When it gets colder, any oily gases in the tube cool down and oil begins to collect. This oil eventually collects enough that is flows into the intake tube. The tube does slope down toward the filter which explains why there was oil in the boot. With the shorter factory hoses, oil can't collect as easy as it stays as an gas. As I mentioned just a theory. Hopefully with the clean side separator I won't be seeing any more oil collecting in the tube.

Silverado-Hareek · January 20, 2015

I should have mentioned that the breather hose that went from the passenger side valve cover to the intake tube was very oily inside. The driver side hose had oil in also but the passenger side hose had more for some reason. From what I have gathered, this is the clean side of the system and allows fresh (clean) air to come into the engine crankcase. It's when at WOT that the lack of vacuum allows air to reverse.

The only theory I can come up with why my Volant intake had oil in and not the factory intake is due to the length of the breather hose. The factory setup uses pretty short hoses that go from the valve covers to the intake box. They are also covered in some sort of foam (maybe for insulation?). My theory is that the short/insulated hose prevents oil from collecting in the hose. The Volant setup uses a hose that is about a foot long. When it gets colder, any oily gases in the tube cool down and oil begins to collect. This oil eventually collects enough that is flows into the intake tube. The tube does slope down toward the filter which explains why there was oil in the boot. With the shorter factory hoses, oil can't collect as easy as it stays as an gas. As I mentioned just a theory. Hopefully with the clean side separator I won't be seeing any more oil collecting in the tube.

Interesting theory that definitely makes sense. It makes my wonder what crud is building up on my valves WITHOUT the clean side separator. Keep us posted on how the clean side separator performs. I may be getting on if you notice a reduction in this oil.

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fondupot · October 24, 2015

sorry to dig up an old post. I was just changing the engine air filter on my truck and found a puddle of oil in my airbox as well. my intake tube was also slick with oil too. Clean oil mind you, not like what comes out of my catch can. I have an Airaid MIT intake tube on my truck with the stock air filter box. I also have an RX catch can.

I have to say I was VERY surprised by this. I never had any oil build up with my stock airbox. I am gonna go out on a limb and say it's the Airaid. Might have to look into the RX clean side separator kit as well now.

07Softail · October 24, 2015

I have the RX CC with clean side separator and have never had oil in the MIT.

RT

fondupot · October 24, 2015

I have the RX CC with clean side separator and have never had oil in the MIT.

RT

Good to know. I have the cleanside separator on order.

Any pics on how it gets installed?

Silverado-Hareek · October 24, 2015

So why do you think it's the airaid? Higher airflow sucking in clean oil?

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fondupot · October 24, 2015

So why do you think it's the airaid? Higher airflow sucking in clean oil?

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Probably. Not 100% sure to be honest.

Too many WOT pulls maybe haha

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07Softail · October 24, 2015

I linked both valve covers together with the provided 3/4 hose and used the factory connectors on each end. Next you remove the oil cap and replace it with the adapter and clean side separator, then run the hose from the separator to the MIT port on the bottom and plug the front port off with a 3/4 pipe plug. Done BTW...WOT pulls will pull oil in the tube without a clean side separator installed.

RT

fondupot · October 25, 2015

I linked both valve covers together with the provided 3/4 hose and used the factory connectors on each end. Next you remove the oil cap and replace it with the adapter and clean side separator, then run the hose from the separator to the MIT port on the bottom and plug the front port off with a 3/4 pipe plug. Done BTW...WOT pulls will pull oil in the tube without a clean side separator installed.

RT

Thanks. I found pictures of how to install the CSS. I am gonna make a video of it too. And add it to my channel, since I wasnt able to find a good video showing the install.

Then that has to be it. I don't exactly drive like a grandpa. So I guess the cleanside separator is a necessity in my situation. Strange that it only happens with the Airaid though. Never happened with the stock air tube. Oh well.

SHould have my cleanside separator this week. I'll try to drive nice until then. But I'll pull the intake tube off and clean it again after I get the CSS.

ToesonTheNose · November 7, 2015

im glad i searched first I too have a Air raid MIT and went outside to check the fliter and noticed in the Box puddles of clean oil as well nothing in the tube, and nothing like the dirty oil on my catch can. Did you install the CSS? where did you mount it? is there any cause for concern with so much oil accumulating

SPrew94535 · November 17, 2015

I have the airraid also and would like to see pics or video of it hooked up. Seems the hose fittings on the airraid are larger than the hose supplied to the clean side separator. There's an adapter but it doesn't seem to fit well. Would like to hear some install stories.

fondupot · November 17, 2015

im glad i searched first I too have a Air raid MIT and went outside to check the fliter and noticed in the Box puddles of clean oil as well nothing in the tube, and nothing like the dirty oil on my catch can. Did you install the CSS? where did you mount it? is there any cause for concern with so much oil accumulating

I have the airraid also and would like to see pics or video of it hooked up. Seems the hose fittings on the airraid are larger than the hose supplied to the clean side separator. There's an adapter but it doesn't seem to fit well. Would like to hear some install stories.

I guess its "normal" for oil to get into the intake tube, but with the stock tube there are plenty of baffles that make it less apparent. With an aftermarket tube, it seems like the valve cover vents can suck more oil mist and accumulate it in the tube and over time it can drip down the tube back to the air filter box.

I did install the CSS. Check my video below. However, I was lucky enough to find an original RX branded CSS from a member here. They do not sell them anymore, there is another brand called RX speedworks that is selling a similar looking product but it is not the original CSS. Same with their catch cans.

If you want a good quality catch can and CSS, look into Elite Engineering's products. They are the next best on the market now.

And here is another video of when I was changing out my Air Filter. this is when I first noticed the oil pooling in the tube and intake box. Right around 3:30 I start to find the oil in the tube and box.