The "Catch Can" Explained - By Elite Engineering

[dorkweed]

7500 miles on my signature truck now. I've had the Elite basic catch can on my truck since about 500 miles on the odometer. I've been draining the catch can on about 1000 mile intervals to try to get a "basis" of how this bad boy is performing. In all the times I've "emptied" the can, I've never gotten more than about 1oz. of fluid/oil in it!!

 

I also just changed my oil for the first time...................oil was right to the top of the dipstick.................just like it was just off the lot when I bought her. The amount of fluid in the catch can doesn't EQUAL any oil loss from the crankcase IMHO!!! The fluid from the catch can smell like a combination of warm oil and burnt gas vapors.....................and is very watery when dumping!!!

 

And mine doesn't look anything like some have posted here.......................that brown, mocha, schmooy crap.................mine is dark, very watery, somewhat oily..............

 

Just my .02 cents worth.

[Elite Engineering]

7500 miles on my signature truck now. I've had the Elite basic catch can on my truck since about 500 miles on the odometer. I've been draining the catch can on about 1000 mile intervals to try to get a "basis" of how this bad boy is performing. In all the times I've "emptied" the can, I've never gotten more than about 1oz. of fluid/oil in it!!

 

I also just changed my oil for the first time...................oil was right to the top of the dipstick.................just like it was just off the lot when I bought her. The amount of fluid in the catch can doesn't EQUAL any oil loss from the crankcase IMHO!!! The fluid from the catch can smell like a combination of warm oil and burnt gas vapors.....................and is very watery when dumping!!!

 

And mine doesn't look anything like some have posted here.......................that brown, mocha, schmooy crap.................mine is dark, very watery, somewhat oily..............

 

Just my .02 cents worth.

 

 

A proper system (very few on the market, and the Elite E2 and E2-X have no competitors that do a more effective job) catches far more than oil. In fact, oil is a very small percentage of what is caught. Without going into real deep analysis, here is the average makeup of what is trapped in the E2-X after a 2450 miles trip and drain when spun in a centrifuge and then analyzed.

 

70% of the contents are acidic water (water and sulfuric acid are both produced /released during the combustion process and need to be removed/evacuated from the crankcase before settling and contaminating the oil), 23% was un-burnt fuel (raw fuel reduces viscosity and the oils ability to protect). and 7% was oil filled with abrasive particulate matter (carbon, soot, ash, etc.) so as very little true accurate information is available on any of this, oil is what most assume is being caught, so the decreased wear extends engine life. The removal of oil mist reduces detonation and allows less carbon build-up and for the engine to run more timing advance and make more power, etc.

[Cowpie]

Has anyone installed the catch can with factory warranty left on their truck, then took their vehicle in for service with it installed and the service dept noticed the catch can installed?

If so did GM or Chevy service depts. try to state the factory warranty is now void or what was the comments made?

 

 

Of course! I put one on my 2013 5.3 within a couple of weeks of buying it new. Same for my 2015 2500 6.0L. Never had an issue with a dealer. If one is concerned, then just install a can so that the hookups can be removed and OEM setup restored quickly. I can have my catch cans disconnected and PCV line back to OEM original configuration in a few minutes with just a screwdriver. No need to make it so permanent a connection that it can't be reversed. Sometimes the simplest solutions are so hard to figure out by some.

[sdeeter19555]

7500 miles on my signature truck now. I've had the Elite basic catch can on my truck since about 500 miles on the odometer. I've been draining the catch can on about 1000 mile intervals to try to get a "basis" of how this bad boy is performing. In all the times I've "emptied" the can, I've never gotten more than about 1oz. of fluid/oil in it!!

 

I also just changed my oil for the first time...................oil was right to the top of the dipstick.................just like it was just off the lot when I bought her. The amount of fluid in the catch can doesn't EQUAL any oil loss from the crankcase IMHO!!! The fluid from the catch can smell like a combination of warm oil and burnt gas vapors.....................and is very watery when dumping!!!

 

And mine doesn't look anything like some have posted here.......................that brown, mocha, schmooy crap.................mine is dark, very watery, somewhat oily..............

 

Just my .02 cents worth.

I catch less than two ounces between 7500 mile changes...it's not all oil, it's also the vapor from blow by. IMHO, every system will be different depending on how tight or loose the tolerances are and the amount of wear. Some will make more, some less...

 

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[mookdoc6]

Tolerances, engines, sizes, manufactures, weather, driving patterns etc, etc. all different......It actually has tapered off for me in the colder months here in AZ maybe because the air really dry? I know when I first dumped mine it poured out 2-3 OZ after 1500 miles!

[Nwatson99]

Folks that have factory warranty left on their trucks and want to install a catch can I strongly suggest you send a email by following this link.

Contact GMC

[Cowpie]

Now why would they want to do that? I suppose next you would suggest that anyone who wants to cheat on their taxes use an IRS contact link and tell them what you are up to.

 

Frankly, I am amazed at the paranoia level of some of y'all. Just plain not Americanism. This whole thing is rather simple..... install a catch can in a way that it can be removed quickly if you have to take the vehicle into the dealer. Now that wasn't so hard was it? I can have my catch can removed in a couple of minutes and stock OEM setup restored with only a screwdriver. I don't volunteer information to a dealer. To me, they are like the police.... anything can and will be used against you.

 

I have catch cans on all my GM vehicles. Now, I live in a more sensible area of the country, and the couple of dealers I do business with could give a rip about a catch can and actually see the sense in it and endorse the idea. But I realize that many dealers are not of a similar common sense ideology.

[Elite Engineering]

Any good dealership will not deny a warranty based on the installation of a Catch Can

[Nwatson99]

Now why would they want to do that? I suppose next you would suggest that anyone who wants to cheat on their taxes use an IRS contact link and tell them what you are up to.

 

Frankly, I am amazed at the paranoia level of some of y'all. Just plain not Americanism. This whole thing is rather simple..... install a catch can in a way that it can be removed quickly if you have to take the vehicle into the dealer. Now that wasn't so hard was it? I can have my catch can removed in a couple of minutes and stock OEM setup restored with only a screwdriver. I don't volunteer information to a dealer. To me, they are like the police.... anything can and will be used against you.

 

I have catch cans on all my GM vehicles. Now, I live in a more sensible area of the country, and the couple of dealers I do business with could give a rip about a catch can and actually see the sense in it and endorse the idea. But I realize that many dealers are not of a similar common sense ideology.

 

Do as you wish it was only a suggestion.

 

How is it cheating, that comment has me confused and wondering how you could even say that?

 

Would it be nice to have a written statement from GMC stating a catch can would not void factory warranty?

 

Cheating is putting one on and removing it every time you go into the dealer, what if you broke down on the road, you could not or did not think about removing the catch can, GMC dispatches a roll-back taking your vehicle in to the nearest dealership which could not be your dealership, the dealership pops the hood of your vehicle and tada there is a catch can and if they want to be an arse about it they can tell you there is your problem, then they notify GMC about a accessory installed and your out of pocket the bill.

 

Performing due diligence and covering yourself is not cheating, it is not paranoia, it is being safe and protecting your investment not matter how you state it, think it, or twist it with your thought process.

 

[Cowpie]

While I admit freely that putting on a catch can and taking it off is not in keeping with the OEM design (which is flawed) and could be considered cheating or dishonest, I also am mature enough to also know that broadcasting it to the OEM or dealership is about as stupid as it gets, if one knows they are dealing with a dealer that likes to stick it to the owners.

 

You know the OEM is going to say they don't recommend doing this. What other position would you expect them to take? That one would feel the need to let big daddy in Detroit know of every little thing you do might be comforting to some, but they already know the answer they will get so it is an exercise in futility. If one doesn't remember to remove the catch can before going into the dealer, now who's fault is that? This nanny state mentality of protecting us from ourselves and making sure we toe the line has permeated almost every train of thought throughout the culture. Sure not what I put a uniform on decades ago and put my neck on the line for.

 

I state that the GM design is flawed, even though they won't admit it, because all heavy duty commercial truck engines have CCV oil filtration "catch cans" on them right from the factory. They have determined a positive in using a PCV oil filtration system is critical for reliability and longevity. And some pretty darn good setups at that. We are dealing with an OEM that will short the owner as they see fit. If something will save a dollar during assembly, they will do it. And a PCV oil filtration system doesn't fit into their idea of cost effectiveness. Just get you thru the warranty period and then look forward to you coming in and buying another vehicle. Shrewd business for sure, but definitely not any concept of owner satisfaction.

[Nwatson99]

I do not disagree the car manufacturers are all flawed for not installing a catch can or similar device that works like the catch can on their engines.

 

As far as you being mature enough to also know that broadcasting it to the OEM or dealership is about as stupid as it gets, well I hate to break it to you, but you are not as smart as you think you are and apparently you do not understand things or subtle hints unless it is spelled out with construction paper and crayons.

 

I have the Elite EX-2 catch can arriving at my home today and I am installing it the very next evening I have a break from work on my truck with no worries about warranty.

 

[sdeeter19555]

Everyone needs to understand this is really no different than any other mod...as soon as you pull the trigger, you become your own warranty station. Can the system be beat, sometimes; but realistically the warranty is black and white: you mod, you void your warranty.

 

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[Elite Engineering]

Aftermarket parts or modifications: This aspect of warranty coverage has a great deal of gray area. Although many dealers would have you think otherwise, simply having an aftermarket part or modifying your vehicle cannot void your warranty.

"Some dealerships may say 'just because you have a [cold air] intake or something' that the whole vehicle warranty is voided," explains Loren Wong, Edmunds associate business analyst and a former warranty administrator for BMW and Acura. "That's not true."
The saving grace for consumers is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. The act states that a dealer must prove that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before it can deny warranty coverage.

However, if the reason for a parts failure is unclear, a dealer will usually charge you to diagnose the vehicle. If the aftermarket part was not properly installed or a modification led to a component failure, it is within the dealer's right to void the warranty for that part, and you will have to pay for the repairs out of pocket. If the aftermarket parts had nothing to do with the repairs in question, you will be refunded the fee for the diagnosis.

Any aftermarket performance parts on your vehicle can cause a dealer to suspect that you either drive the car hard or possibly race it. "Although they may not void warranties," Wong added, "modifications may raise a red flag when vehicles are in for service. If consumers who mod their cars do a little research, they may find certain dealerships that are a little more 'mod-friendly.'"

 

Here is a link to a consumer information article posted by the US Federal Trade Commission on their website.

 

Below is the relevant text from that article.

Will using 'aftermarket' or recycled parts void my warranty?

No. An 'aftermarket' part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer. A 'recycled' part is a part that was made for and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer, and later removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse. Simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void your warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket or recycled part. Still, if it turns out that the aftermarket or recycled part was itself defective or wasn't installed correctly, and it causes damage to another part that is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer has the right to deny coverage for that part and charge you for any repairs. The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.

Tips To Avoid Warranty Issues

Here's how to get the most out of your vehicle's warranty:

Read your warranty - Often bundled with your owner's manual, the warranty gives a general description and specific details about your coverage. If you have misplaced your owner's manual, look for it online.

Check the "Owners" section of your manufacturer's website. -
Be aware of your warranty period. If problems arise that are covered under the warranty, get them checked out before the warranty expires.

Service your car at regular intervals - This is a good idea in any case. But for the sake of keeping your warranty intact, follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedule. Details are in your owner's manual.

Keep all service records and receipts, regardless of who performs the service - This includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. Create a file to keep track of repairs; it will come in handy if you have to use your warranty. If you ever have a warranty claim and it appears that you did not maintain your vehicle, your claim could be denied.

Complain - If you think a dealer's service advisor denied your warranty claim unfairly, ask to speak with a supervisor. If you still aren't satisfied, contact the manufacturer or go to another dealer. You also may wish to file a complaint with your state Attorney General, local consumer protection office, or the FTC.

 

Re-posted from another forum

[sdeeter19555]

You do realize the definition of "aftermarket part" in that quote refers to a replacement part from someplace like Napa (e.g., bearing for bearing), not a part designed to lift a truck several inches, reprogram its software, defeat its emissions, etc.?

 

Every aftermarket trinket builder throws the MM act out as though the consumer is blanket protected from any denial of warranty for modifications they do...that is simply not the case.

 

It's a chance we take and most of "us" don't have deep enough pockets to fight a MM act claim since the cost to have it fixed is less than the headache of the claim and every manufacturer realizes that...I realized that my warranty was potentially voided with some of my mods, I knew full well I was my own warranty station if something failed that was even remotely a result of a mod.

 

And for those that think I'm full of it...I had a warrantied transmission replacement rejected because I installed a drain plug in the pan years before to facilitate maintenance...figure that one out.

 

Again, it's a chance we take...

 

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[AZRenegade]

As stated in numerous postings concerning the M/M act, it refers only to direct replacement parts, i.e., AC Delco oil filter to Fram oil filter. If you replace your OEM filter with an equivallent aftermarket filter, the onus is on the manufacturer to prove that the aftermarket filter's failure caused the problem. The alteration of the manufacturer's design of an existing system is not addressed nor covered by the M/M act. In short, if you alter​ the manufacturer's design in any way, and the owner's manual clearly refers to this, you void the warranty for any systems that rely on that part to function. A catch can falls under the latter category. Regardless of all of the "scientific" data that proves the can is a benefit and does no harm to the system, it still alters the original design and therefore, it is perfectly appropriate for the manufacturer to void your warranty out of hand ​for the components affected by the alteration​ when one is discovered by the dealer.

 

The act's intent wasn't to protect the consumer, per se. It's intention was to ensure a competitive market for replacement parts or maintenance of your purchase. This act prevents the manufacturer from forcing you to use their components or service after purchase.