What's an oil catch can....

jkp1187 · 08-03-2008, 09:55 AM

....and why would I want one if I have a 135i?

Thanks.

Mad Dragon · 08-03-2008, 10:49 AM

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12102

jkp1187 · 08-03-2008, 11:16 AM

Ok, but what does it do? Where does it 'catch' the oil from? What does it stop the oil from going to?

canlefty · 08-03-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkp1187

Ok, but what does it do? Where does it 'catch' the oil from? What does it stop the oil from going to?

It's an oil - air separator. Positive crank case pressure can cause bits of oil to be discharged through the intake via the vent. The catch can will separate the oil in the air and prevent it from coating your intercooler, etc.

jkp1187 · 08-03-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canlefty

It's an oil - air separator. Positive crank case pressure can cause bits of oil to be discharged through the intake via the vent..

Via the vent in the PCV valve?

F0Bman · 08-04-2008, 11:53 PM

Pretty much its a device that will make your life much easier in the long run.

Thud · 08-05-2008, 09:24 PM

So exactly how much oil can a catch can catch if a catch can can catch oil?

fourmicah · 08-05-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thud

So exactly how much oil can a catch can catch if a catch can can catch oil?

LOL!

EspressoBoy · 08-05-2008, 09:59 PM

lots, now I just need to buy one.

aus · 08-05-2008, 11:48 PM

Keep in mind some have had problems with their warranty once they installed on. The dealer called it a "performance part."

Adam@Riss Racing · 08-06-2008, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

Keep in mind some have had problems with their warranty once they installed on. The dealer called it a "performance part."

Installation is a 15 min. job. Worse case scenario, take it out before you take it in for service. Its another 15 min. job to help the longevity of your vehicle. Here's what was found when we took the charge pipes off our test 135i car. Car has about 3k miles on it. We can literally pour the oil out of the pipe.

My135 · 08-06-2008, 11:59 AM

Under what circumstances will this happen and how often? How come BMW did not address this issue?

stefan · 08-06-2008, 12:50 PM

Sorry to take this slightly off topic.. but this question has really been bugging me. Why doesn't BMW install a catch can?

It seems almost trivial.. a 15 minute install, low cost. Lots of benefits.. seems like a no-brainer! Wonder why this would get passed up by BMW AG.

nordique14 · 08-06-2008, 01:10 PM

With BMW going to "lifetime fluid" and reducing maintenance, I can't beleive they would consider adding something that would be a maintenance item.

My135 · 08-06-2008, 02:44 PM

If this caused a major issue and hurt the reliability, I don't see why BMW would not take it seriously and addressed the problem with a small cost increse unless this only happened after you increased the HP significantly or rev to the red line all the time.

aus · 08-06-2008, 07:35 PM

There was someon on E90 that showed his intake valves on a STOCK car, and they were all coated with carbon/dried oil. They had to manually clean each valve. He mentioned that the lack of fuel flowing over the valves due to direct injection caused it because the fuel was cleaning the valves.

I hope BMW is paying attention to these thread too, and not just who's tuning their cars.

Papito135 · 08-06-2008, 07:45 PM

All engine need a catch can. Why wouldn't the automaker put one in, its beyond my understanding. Maybe they don't want the engines to last as long. It should be the first mod you do. Put the catch can in before you drive off the lot.

My135 · 08-07-2008, 09:26 AM

Please pardon my ignorance on this subject. If you said all engine need a catch can, do you know which commercial build vehicles came standard with the catch can?

Papito135 · 08-07-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My135

Please pardon my ignorance on this subject. If you said all engine need a catch can, do you know which commercial build vehicles came standard with the catch can?

I do not. Back in the old days it was called a PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation)

Slickrick51586 · 08-07-2008, 08:08 PM

The reason they route it back into your intake is because the positive air pressure that brings oil with it has already been metered by your ecu. Venting to atmosphere or even seperating it with a catch can means that the ecu dosen't have the exact amount of metered air at any given time (pressure drop from catch can)... There are plently of people that don't change their oil on a regular basis, but think about a catch can. A catch can fills at varying rates depending on your driving/engine/etc, im sure plenty of average drivers would forget to empty it leading to plenty of oil all over peoples engines.

Papito135 · 08-07-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickrick51586

The reason they route it back into your intake is because the positive air pressure that brings oil with it has already been metered by your ecu. Venting to atmosphere or even seperating it with a catch can means that the ecu dosen't have the exact amount of metered air at any given time (pressure drop from catch can)... There are plently of people that don't change their oil on a regular basis, but think about a catch can. A catch can fills at varying rates depending on your driving/engine/etc, im sure plenty of average drivers would forget to empty it leading to plenty of oil all over peoples engines.

I check and or empty mines at every oil change which is every 5000 miles on 5w30 Mobil 1

jkp1187 · 08-07-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickrick51586

The reason they route it back into your intake is because the positive air pressure that brings oil with it has already been metered by your ecu. Venting to atmosphere or even seperating it with a catch can means that the ecu dosen't have the exact amount of metered air at any given time (pressure drop from catch can)...

So are you saying that a catch can could reduce performance?

08-03-2008, 09:55 AM	#1
jkp1187 Unindicted co-conspirator 66 Rep 1,734 Posts Drives: to work, mostly. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Detroit, Michigan iTrader: (0)	What's an oil catch can.... ....and why would I want one if I have a 135i? Thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-03-2008, 10:49 AM	#2
Mad Dragon . 27 Rep 932 Posts Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12102
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-03-2008, 11:16 AM	#3
jkp1187 Unindicted co-conspirator 66 Rep 1,734 Posts Drives: to work, mostly. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Detroit, Michigan iTrader: (0)	Ok, but what does it do? Where does it 'catch' the oil from? What does it stop the oil from going to?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-04-2008, 11:53 PM	#6
F0Bman First Lieutenant 3 Rep 309 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	Pretty much its a device that will make your life much easier in the long run. __________________ Fully Restored 1985 Corolla GT-S 1987 328ci SR20DET Drift Car 1989 Honda Civic Si-R Current Project 2002 Corolla CE Daily Driver www.TheTunerSource.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2008, 09:24 PM	#7
Thud Throbbing Member 43 Rep 1,433 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (0)	So exactly how much oil can a catch can catch if a catch can can catch oil? __________________ 2014 Tesla Model S 85kwh Previous cars: 2011 335d / Deep Sea Blue / Saddle brown / sport / premium 2008 BMW 135i / 6MT 2002 Z06 Corvette
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2008, 09:59 PM	#9
EspressoBoy 1addict, and proud 40 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 08 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	lots, now I just need to buy one.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2008, 11:48 PM	#10
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Keep in mind some have had problems with their warranty once they installed on. The dealer called it a "performance part."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-06-2008, 11:59 AM	#12
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Under what circumstances will this happen and how often? How come BMW did not address this issue? __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-06-2008, 12:50 PM	#13
stefan Brigadier General 2354 Rep 4,254 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North iTrader: (2)	Sorry to take this slightly off topic.. but this question has really been bugging me. Why doesn't BMW install a catch can? It seems almost trivial.. a 15 minute install, low cost. Lots of benefits.. seems like a no-brainer! Wonder why this would get passed up by BMW AG. __________________ ///M Power
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-06-2008, 01:10 PM	#14
nordique14 Major 53 Rep 1,477 Posts Drives: SGM 135i 'vert Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sharks Territory iTrader: (5)	With BMW going to "lifetime fluid" and reducing maintenance, I can't beleive they would consider adding something that would be a maintenance item.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-06-2008, 02:44 PM	#15
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	If this caused a major issue and hurt the reliability, I don't see why BMW would not take it seriously and addressed the problem with a small cost increse unless this only happened after you increased the HP significantly or rev to the red line all the time. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-06-2008, 07:35 PM	#16
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	There was someon on E90 that showed his intake valves on a STOCK car, and they were all coated with carbon/dried oil. They had to manually clean each valve. He mentioned that the lack of fuel flowing over the valves due to direct injection caused it because the fuel was cleaning the valves. I hope BMW is paying attention to these thread too, and not just who's tuning their cars.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-06-2008, 07:45 PM	#17
Papito135 First Lieutenant 4 Rep 366 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	All engine need a catch can. Why wouldn't the automaker put one in, its beyond my understanding. Maybe they don't want the engines to last as long. It should be the first mod you do. Put the catch can in before you drive off the lot. __________________ US Army 11C 1983-1993 09 Sedona Red Metallic 135i 09 Ford F-150 Platinum
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2008, 09:26 AM	#18
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Please pardon my ignorance on this subject. If you said all engine need a catch can, do you know which commercial build vehicles came standard with the catch can? __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2008, 08:08 PM	#20
Slickrick51586 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2008 iTrader: (0)	The reason they route it back into your intake is because the positive air pressure that brings oil with it has already been metered by your ecu. Venting to atmosphere or even seperating it with a catch can means that the ecu dosen't have the exact amount of metered air at any given time (pressure drop from catch can)... There are plently of people that don't change their oil on a regular basis, but think about a catch can. A catch can fills at varying rates depending on your driving/engine/etc, im sure plenty of average drivers would forget to empty it leading to plenty of oil all over peoples engines.
	Appreciate 0 Quote