Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 60

Thread: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

  1. #1
    Moderator Mr Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    4,621
    Thanks
    1,341
    Thanked 700 Times in 381 Posts
    Mentioned
    227 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    This thread was created to provide basic and how to information on OCC as well as discussion or issues that may arise. Keeping all OCC discussion in one place benefits us all!

    What is an Oil Catch Can?

    An oil catch can is used in turbo applications, or high-performance race applications where excessive blow-by (leakage past the piston rings) of air and fuel vapor occurs. This creates a positive pressure in the crankcase. Engine manufactures have placed a valve on the engine block which releases this pressure. This valve is known as a PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve.

    During engine operation, blow-by gases, as well as oil mist from the rotating components of the engine, pass through the PCV valve and are routed back into the intake for the engine to burn off. However, some of the oil mist and other products settle along the engine intake and over time form a "gunk." The oil catch can collects the oil mist and condenses the fuel vapors while allowing "cleaner" gases to be passed back into the intake.

    Typically the blow-by gasses are passed through a wire mesh, which give the vapor droplets something to adhere to. Since the oil catch cans condense the vapor portion of the gasses, they will need to be drained periodically of all the oil, fuel and other contaminants.

    *PICTURE IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.*


    Here's a pic of wha the OCC looks like on the inside to make it effective:



    Install Links

    http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=131262.0

    http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...-tons-of-pics.

    http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...ons-pics-7216/

    http://www.jamesbaroneracing.com/sup...structions.pdf

    Things to Note

    Quote Originally Posted by BlueStreak View Post
    Guys, a few things.

    - I wouldn't recommend making your own catch can unless you use proper materials. Making one out of beer cans creates the likelihood that it'll collapse when cruising in vacuum.
    Plastic is also out of the question because the oil/fuel mix will eat thru the plastic. Next thing you know, you're stuck on the side of the road with a massive air leak and have to take it out in order to get home. A few weeks ago, I emptied my catch can into a plastic cup and let it separate on a bench. An hour later, the contents of the cup were all over the floor with the bottom of the cup fused to the bench. If you use other plastics, it'll just delay the rate of decay of your setup. The end result is the same; massive air leak and a car that will run like crap or leave you stranded.

    - This is for a MZ3, correct? I would say a check valve is not necessary. Your intakes do not see positive manifold pressure so it isn't needed. Chances are your crankcase already has a pcv valve. That will suffice.

    - Get a catch can that is baffled. Cans with a simple in/out setup and no baffling internals are junk. Your intake manifold will still get coated in crap. I ran one temporarily before I got my Saikou Michi and my manifold looked like hell. All the work to clean my valves was lost in 6K KMs of driving. It happened that quick...
    Quote Originally Posted by Fobio View Post
    It was brought to my attention that when you install the outlet hose that dips below the actual outlet, it creates a spot where fluids may collect after the car cools and moisture/oil condensate.
    to prevent this, you must angle the outlet hosing slightly going higher than the outlet that it's leaving from. this way, when moisture in the system collects, it'll drain back into the catch can to be collected.
    Quote Originally Posted by fywdyl View Post
    Misc installation tips:

    - Remove the dip stick. It'll give you way more room to work with.
    - (For gen2) When mounting the bracket to the car, use an open-ended 10mm wrench with some tape stuck to it to hold the nut in place, and then you can slip the wrench behind the mounting point
    Quote Originally Posted by Fobio View Post
    a primary catch can is needed to catch blow-by going into the intake manifold and gunking up the intake valves.

    a secondary catch can will help catch oil venting out of the valve cover which gets sent back thru the TIP/TIH.

    most just run the primary catch can. but as you can see, there are benefits to running the second one as well.
    Install Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Thrizzl3 View Post
    After reading up on how the Mazdaspeed 3 operates I realized that it would be a smart idea to install the Mspeed OCC kit. I did this to help protect my motor from harmful blow-by that can cause internal damage over time.

    Seeing the steps to install this kit kind of made me think it's going to be a piece of cake..but some parts weren't..especially when it came to taking the clamps off. If you have skinny hands the install should take no longer than 1.5-2 hrs. My install took 2.5 hrs because i had a stubborn hose to remove but in the end i got it out.
    The provided hoses perfectly suit the application as well as the check valve which was updated with the elbow fitting on the end which proved to make the install 10x easier. Overall the install is pretty straight forward I'm sure the NATOR people can lend a hand if you are in need of assistance.

    Pics of the installed product.





    For those who are interested in buying a kit i highly recommend it as i've seen what is blown back into the intake tract.

    - Phil
    Update

    Quote Originally Posted by Thrizzl3 View Post
    So it has been 3 weeks or so since i have installed my catch can and i noticed that my lines started to show signs of oil flowing through them. I gave it some time before i chose to empty the catch can and here is what i seen...



    all that crap was being blown into my intake system WTF!!!!!!! after 3 weeks??? so happy i got this catch can.



    Thank you Mspeed!

    Btw..i installed the catch can a few days after i got the oil changed. You won't notice any fluid flowing through until the oil has sheared down enough to come into the valve train.
    Last edited by Mr Wilson; 04-30-2012 at 03:47 PM.
    0.000212524463 gigawatts

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to Mr Wilson For This Useful Post:

    Fobio (06-21-2014)

  3. #2
    Jr Member gar_lei's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    545
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Thanks for great info
    - 2011 Crystal White Pearl Mazdaspeed 3 -
    - Street Tuned by MSpeed (Fobio) - Cobb SF SRI - Cobb TIH - Cobb DP - Denso ITV22 - Forge V2 BPV - Tanabe Strutbar - Buddy Club Voltage Condenser - Saikou-Michi OCC - Autotech HPFP Internals - CPe TMIC - CPe Stage 2 RMM - Redline Hood QuickLift Elite - Defi BF Gauges - Innovate DB Wideband Gauge - James Barone SSP+Bushing - ARC Titanium Shift Knob - Hawk HP+ - Stoptech SS lines - Swift Spec R Springs - Whiteline Rear Swaybar - Volk Racing RE30 18x8.5 - Project Kics R40 Neo Chrome -

  4. #3
    Member fywdyl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    1,631
    Thanks
    88
    Thanked 105 Times in 64 Posts
    Mentioned
    40 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Sweet deal! Good job Mr. Wilson!

    Misc installation tips:

    - Remove the dip stick. It'll give you way more room to work with.
    - (For gen2) When mounting the bracket to the car, use an open-ended 10mm wrench with some tape stuck to it to hold the nut in place, and then you can slip the wrench behind the mounting point

    p.s. Vote for sticky!

  5. #4
    Moderator loki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Toronto
    Age
    42
    Posts
    18,049
    Thanks
    1,911
    Thanked 6,154 Times in 3,173 Posts
    Mentioned
    881 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    PM already sent. Sticky in the works.


    good work, Paul.

  6. #5
    Moderator Mr Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    4,621
    Thanks
    1,341
    Thanked 700 Times in 381 Posts
    Mentioned
    227 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    FYWDYL thanks for the info!

    Is there anything else that is missing?

  7. #6
    Sr Member Thrizzl3's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Age
    36
    Ride
    '18 Subaru WRX / '20 CX9
    Posts
    18,375
    Thanks
    430
    Thanked 500 Times in 260 Posts
    Mentioned
    265 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Sweet Paul! nice job!

  8. #7
    Member Turok's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Woodbridge
    Posts
    1,113
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Nice job Mr Wilson!

    +1 For Sticky
    2001 Mazda P5 Black - Sold
    2005 Mazda 3 GT Black - Sold

    2007 MS3 Cosmic Blue Mica
    Cobb SF SRI - Cobb AP - Cobb TIH - CP-E TMIC - CP-E HPFP - CP-E DP - CP-E RMM(65A) - JBR TMM(80A) - Forge BPV - EGR Delete - SM OCC - Ford Full Synthetic MT Fluid - 225/40/18 Hankook Ventus V12's - TWM STS + bushings - 8000K HID Fogs - KY + Eibach Prokit Springs - JBR RSB - Rhoplate - Blue LED Interior lights - Black Weathertech liners - Blue SICKSPEED Horns - Blackvue DR400GHD
    TBI: Thermal TB and Intake Gasket

  9. #8
    Member 2zoom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Brampton
    Age
    42
    Posts
    1,278
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts
    Mentioned
    21 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Thanks Paul, nice write up

  10. #9
    Sr Member boyracer's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    NATOR T.O. Outpost
    Ride
    Vapour Trail
    Posts
    4,588
    Thanks
    621
    Thanked 358 Times in 201 Posts
    Mentioned
    117 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Awesome work Paul

  11. #10
    Newbie sammifan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    207
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Good stuff, gotta get this done with MSpeed next time I'm in T.O.
    Cobb/CPE/HKS/Forge/Advan/Project Kics/Eibach/Koni/JBR/Rally Armor/Parts Plaza/DDM

  12. #11
    Member Booostin's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Brampton
    Ride
    Your Mom
    Posts
    2,082
    Thanks
    6
    Thanked 23 Times in 13 Posts
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know



  13. #12
    Moderator Mr Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    4,621
    Thanks
    1,341
    Thanked 700 Times in 381 Posts
    Mentioned
    227 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know


  14. #13
    Jr Member VertigoM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    345
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Great summary. Very helpful.

    I still haven't gotten around to getting an OCC for my car. My main concern is still with it freezing in the winter if I park my car outside for extended periods.

    In the event that it does freeze: How will I know if it's frozen? What is the impact? How can it be thawed out?
    1999 Honda Civic SiR | Bolt-ons
    2010 Mazdaspeed3 | Cobb AP | Corksport SRI+TIP | Autotech HPFP | Magnaflow CBE

  15. #14
    Moderator loki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Toronto
    Age
    42
    Posts
    18,049
    Thanks
    1,911
    Thanked 6,154 Times in 3,173 Posts
    Mentioned
    881 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Quote Originally Posted by VertigoM View Post
    Great summary. Very helpful.

    I still haven't gotten around to getting an OCC for my car. My main concern is still with it freezing in the winter if I park my car outside for extended periods.

    In the event that it does freeze: How will I know if it's frozen? What is the impact? How can it be thawed out?
    as mentioned before, the OCC is located in your engine bay, and as the car heats up it should thaw out if for whatever reason it does freeze.

    this is canada. adapt.

  16. #15
    Sponsor - Mspeed Tuning & Diagnostics
    Fobio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Age
    46
    Posts
    6,742
    Thanks
    663
    Thanked 456 Times in 178 Posts
    Mentioned
    173 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Wilson, please feel free to cut and pasta the 2 diagrams from the Saikou-Michi GB. The 2 pics should illustrate to those that never attended the Ownership & Maintenance Seminar the beenfits of a properly designed catch can and how it'll address PERCEIVED issues such as "freezing".

    Just curious...has anyone actually seen frozen oil? Frozen gasoline?

    hmm.....

    MSpeed Tuning & Diagnostics - The Street Lab is always OPEN FOR BUSINESS
    All Powder & Ceramic Coating @ Quy's Coating . Tires and Wheels @ Simply Tire . Wraps by mleblond @ Seche Media . Dyno'd @ Advance Power House . Professionally Serviced by Jimmy @ Street Performance . Signature Pic by PCLoadLetter . Street Tuned by myself .
    "It is amazing how many drivers, even at the Formula One Level, think that the brakes are for slowing the car down." -- Mario Andretti

  17. #16

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Kitchener
    Posts
    5,736
    Thanks
    213
    Thanked 1,156 Times in 643 Posts
    Mentioned
    295 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Quote Originally Posted by Fobio View Post
    Wilson, please feel free to cut and pasta the 2 diagrams from the Saikou-Michi GB. The 2 pics should illustrate to those that never attended the Ownership & Maintenance Seminar the beenfits of a properly designed catch can and how it'll address PERCEIVED issues such as "freezing".

    Just curious...has anyone actually seen frozen oil? Frozen gasoline?

    hmm.....
    That's what I don't get...why would people think that liquids used in their engine in the dead of winter would magically freeze outside of the engine? The only tricky part would be draining the catch can if the oil was feeling thick, but then you can always just do it after the car has been running for a while or take a heat gun/hair drier and gently warm it up.

    - 2021 Porsche Macan GTS -
    - 2016 Lexus NX200t F Sport -
    - 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 Black Mica - SOLD -

  18. #17
    Member breakfasteatre's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    1,385
    Thanks
    17
    Thanked 130 Times in 70 Posts
    Mentioned
    35 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know



    Duck my.baby looked good
    Oh damn, that sucks. Oh well, I stopped reading the Speed section because according to certain people only speed owners are allowed to even look at that section.

  19. #18
    Moderator Mr Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    4,621
    Thanks
    1,341
    Thanked 700 Times in 381 Posts
    Mentioned
    227 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Quote Originally Posted by Fobio View Post
    Wilson, please feel free to cut and pasta the 2 diagrams from the Saikou-Michi GB.
    Done.

    Alex, RIP Gen 1 Unicorn

  20. #19
    Jr Member VertigoM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    345
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Quote Originally Posted by loki View Post
    as mentioned before, the OCC is located in your engine bay, and as the car heats up it should thaw out if for whatever reason it does freeze.

    this is canada. adapt.
    So to answer my questions:

    How will I know it's frozen?
    --> I wont

    What is the impact?
    --> None (?) Does it cause a blockage of some sort? Sorry for my lack of knowledge but will a frozen OCC cause a car to not be able to start?

    How can it be thawed out?
    --> Engine bay will warm up and thaw it out

  21. #20
    Sr Member rzapata's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Downtown TO
    Posts
    4,502
    Thanks
    191
    Thanked 135 Times in 86 Posts
    Mentioned
    36 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Cool stuff Paul (Mr. Wilson)! Thanks for the write up and to all the contributors (Fobio, BlueStreak, Thrizzle3, fywdyl) and to MSpeed for organizing!

  22. #21
    Sponsor - Mspeed Tuning & Diagnostics
    Fobio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Age
    46
    Posts
    6,742
    Thanks
    663
    Thanked 456 Times in 178 Posts
    Mentioned
    173 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Quote Originally Posted by VertigoM View Post
    So to answer my questions:

    How will I know it's frozen?
    --> I wont

    What is the impact?
    --> None (?) Does it cause a blockage of some sort? Sorry for my lack of knowledge but will a frozen OCC cause a car to not be able to start?

    How can it be thawed out?
    --> Engine bay will warm up and thaw it out
    None of your questions nor answers are truly valid, when it comes to a superior designed OCC like the Saikou-Michi can...

    Take in those glorious relief holes...they address 90% of your concerns.

    If you don't drain your catch can, and let it fill past the outlet hose, then you'd deserve to deal with the consequences due to lack of care and owner negligence.

  23. #22
    Sponsor - Mspeed Tuning & Diagnostics
    CelestSpeed3's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Vaughan
    Posts
    1,409
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 41 Times in 13 Posts
    Mentioned
    48 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Quote Originally Posted by VertigoM View Post
    So to answer my questions:

    How will I know it's frozen?
    --> I wont

    What is the impact?
    --> None (?) Does it cause a blockage of some sort? Sorry for my lack of knowledge but will a frozen OCC cause a car to not be able to start?

    How can it be thawed out?
    --> Engine bay will warm up and thaw it out
    1. The water vapor may freeze, however the water is suspended in oil, so i doubt it will even freeze.

    2. A full catch can will operate as if you had no catch can at all. Nothing bad will happen to your motor. Yes it will be able to start no problem.

    3. Yes you can thaw it out which is why the can is placed up against the rad hose as close as I could fit it with what the brackets and cans allow. Either way you should be changing your oil when warm as well as draining the can so don't worry about it.
    Want to work on your car but not sure how, send me a PM. Learn the way of Nator.

  24. #23
    Member mazdaspeedemon3's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Hamilton/St. Kitts
    Posts
    1,007
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked 27 Times in 12 Posts
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Kudos Wilson! kind of a noob question but is it required to have either a SRI or CAI to run a OCC?
    Mazdaspeedemon3's Ride



    yo, i update my sig everyday with other peoples comments. son

  25. #24
    Moderator Mr Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    4,621
    Thanks
    1,341
    Thanked 700 Times in 381 Posts
    Mentioned
    227 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    No, just dependant on the location of the tubing for the CAI, the support for the can itself may have to be modified (not a big deal anyways).

  26. #25
    Member Elusivellama's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Ride
    2010 MS3 (black mica)
    Posts
    1,456
    Thanks
    10
    Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts
    Mentioned
    9 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Oil Catch Can - Everything you need to know

    Should pour that stuff from the OCC into a used tin can, stick it in the freezer overnight and see if it solidifies. I doubt a mixture of oil and fuel will turn into a solid at our winter temperatures.... I can see it happening in Siberia or some super cold ass place, but not here in the GTA.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. DIY Oil Catch Can?
    By The Wolf in forum Engine & Drivetrain
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-22-2012, 01:28 PM
  2. DIY How-to: Oil Catch Can
    By M3Nick in forum How-To Guides & Reference
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-27-2008, 02:55 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •