Modern diesel engines are designed to reduce fuel emissions to protect the environment. They are equipped with an EGR or a DPF. When these parts work with the latest diesel engine technologies, they can cause issues with their intake. An “oil catch can” can help prevent this from happening.
The Role Of An Oil Catch Can
When the fuel is burnt to produce power in a diesel engine, a small amount of gas escapes into the piston rings. If this gas is not released from the sump, the pressure will build up and cause damage to the engine. The new diesel engines are designed to re-circulate this air into the air taken in by the engines.
Since the air is re-circulated, it is heavily laden with oil mist. An oil catch can separate this oil from the air and circulate only the clean air back into the engine. As a result, clean air is circulated inside the engine instead of oil-laden air.
When clean air is circulated, the need for maintenance and cleaning the oil grime comes down, potentially reducing your maintenance costs and other possible issues arising from circulating impure air.
Do Cars Come Fitted With An Oil Catch Can?
Surprisingly, no; no cars come fitted with an oil catch can. If you find an oil catch that can result in a car, it is an alteration done outside by a different professional who is not the manufacturer. This is an alteration done to the car’s PCV system.
Many countries have laws against altering the PCV system in a car. The manufacturer fits the car with a PCV system that meets rules and regulations, and altering this might cause issues when it comes to insurance.
So, if you plan on installing an oil catch can in your car, find out about the rules and regulations in your state and what your car insurance provider covers.
Car manufacturers will also not tolerate modifications done to the car engine. If you have a problem with your car after fitting in a catch can, the manufacturer can reject your warranty as a breach of contract. Generally, the warranty does not cover any modifications done to the engine.
Why Don’t Manufacturers Provide Oil Catch Cans?
The newer model diesel engines come with an EGR which helps in improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The PCV system helps burn the poisonous gases so that the chemicals sent out as exhaust are less harmful to us humans to breathe. This PCV also catches the oil before the air is circulated back into the engine.
When these parts work well and are maintained well, the manufacturers feel there is no need for an additional catch can. However, your car will require regular services to clean the PCV and EGR for the best results.
Do You Need An Oil Catch Can?
Cars run on the roads without an oil catch can. Manufacturers design the engine to run without such oil catch cans. However, it requires you to maintain the vehicle properly.
The oil catch can’s role is to keep the air pure and reduce the chances of an oil leak. If you do not have an oil catch can, you will have to take steps to do its job.
When the PCV and EGR are not cleaned and maintained properly, it can lead to oil build-up, cause oil leaks, and reduce the efficiency of “burning” the harmful gases. If you are not a person who can take care of this and service the engine regularly, or if you use the vehicle extensively and do not want to send it for service regularly, an oil catch can is essential.
TOP 4 Best Oil Catch Cans
RULLINE 0046 Universal 350ml Oil Catch Can
The Ruien 0046 is one of the most durable and economical oil tanks on the market. It is a lightweight aluminum reservoir that is also strong and durable. This device helps trap any oil or moisture in the blower that causes carbon and sludge buildup.
SPEEDWOW Oil Catch Can
The Speedwow Oil Catch Can have a low-micron bronze filter, allowing it to effectively separate oil and other debris from the circulated air.
The baffle system cools any hot oil vapor in the air and turns it into an easy-to-filter liquid. This is a universal fit oil catch can and you should be able to install it on any vehicle.
EVIL ENERGY Oil Catch Can
Evil Energy is a professional manufacturer and supplier of engine components. Their oil catch can is located in the vehicle’s crankcase/level ventilation system.
To further trap moisture and air, the catch can include a dual-chamber baffle filter. Oil leakage is reduced through the use of an O-ring. Simply remove the part below the receiver to clean the can.
Top10 Racing 300ml Oil Catch Can
Using an oil catch can extend the life of your engine by removing impurities from the circulating air. Top10 Racing’s 350 ml oil catch can keep gasoline, oil, and carbon deposits out of the PCV system. The baffle successfully removes oil and other harmful vapors from the air, while the breather filter allows clean air to re-enter the system.
How To Choose The Best Oil Catch Cans
If you are worried about the air your engine is sucking back in and want to keep it clean of oil residue, you need to invest in a good oil catch can. Since cars do not come fitted with this oil catch can, it is your responsibility to choose the ideal catch can for your engine model.
Investing in something cheap which won’t do its job effectively will only cause harm to your vehicle. Wrong pressure build-up can damage your engine or certain parts of it, which can prove to be more expensive than repairing a problem caused by the lack of an oil catch can.
Want the best oil catch can for your vehicle? Consider these tips
- The first and foremost step is to compare the oil catch can’s hoses and your car engine’s crankcase vent hoses. The catch can’s hoses will be replacing the crankcase’s hoses. So they need to be of the same size or slightly bigger. The catch can hoses cannot be smaller.
- Some catch cans come in a standard one size fits all. There are models with varying sizes too. Choose which suits your vehicle the best.
- Check how much space is available under your car’s hood to fit the oil catch can you are considering. Cars are not fitted with catch can when they come to you, so you need to create or make do with the limited space for the catch can. Buying something too big will only take up a lot of space.
- Check the effectiveness of the catch can. If it does not filter much, there is no point in changing what your manufacturer gave. Check the air pressure between the catch can’s inlet and outlet. If the pressure is even, then airflow will be smooth. If it is not even, pressure can build up, reducing efficiency.
- These cans are available as a full one kit. The kit will include everything you need to fit the catch into your vehicle. Ensure you choose the right model. If you do not find a catch can that specifies your vehicle, get in touch with the seller to understand which catch-can will suit your engine; rather than deciding yourself.
Conclusion
An oil catch-can may seem unnecessary as the manufacturer does not provide one. However, if yours is a high-performance vehicle that is extensively used, you can benefit from installing an oil catch can, provided you choose the right one.
Choosing an ineffective one will not only “not help” but can also cause other issues, and since warranties don’t cover such alterations, you can face unwanted expenses.
