Oil catch can

[dyeguy1212]

So after running my catch can for over two years I can say this, I hand wash my truck, way too much my wife says, and in doing so I always clean the exhaust tips.
I HATE dirty exhaust tips.
In doing so I can definitely say there is way way less "soot" on the rag than there was before the catch can.

If catch cans actually improved particulate emissions, OEMs wouldn't be investigating 90% of the changes coming down the pipe (DI, GPF, etc).

 

[Snekpete]

The amount of oil that you remove from the catch can is the exact amount of oil that is not burned and emitted as particulates or smoke. It is typically quite small, a few ounces every 5,000 miles but enough that I believe that it may reduce soot build up on the exhaust tips. It will certainly reduce deposits on the intake valves. The auto manufacturers bow down to the EPA and its regulations. Efficiency credits are given by the EPA for specifications that are written by bureaucrats who may know nothing about cars or reality. Start/Stop, MDS and eTorque are all implemented to earn EPA efficiency credits regardless of any real-world data. It is my opinion that 0W-20 weight oil is recommended solely to earn credits.

 

[HSKR R/T]

If catch cans actually improved particulate emissions, OEMs wouldn't be investigating 90% of the changes coming down the pipe (DI, GPF, etc).

That would require the consumers know how to, and would actually empty said catch cans. Which a majority of owners would NEVER do. This would cause an increase in complaints about poor running and check engine lights, and cost the manufacturer money on warranty work. As well as the added cost of the catch cans themselves, which would have to be approved by the EPA, which would cost money for the testing needed for approval.

 

[CalvinC]

That would require the consumers know how to, and would actually empty said catch cans. Which a majority of owners would NEVER do. This would cause an increase in complaints about poor running and check engine lights, and cost the manufacturer money on warranty work. As well as the added cost of the catch cans themselves, which would have to be approved by the EPA, which would cost money for the testing needed for approval.

We have large volume DEF tanks on diesels and sensors to monitor levels, programming to elicit specific behaviors when empty etc.

If there were a tangible benefit to emissions they’d find a way to do it. They’ve done far more and gotten less.

Heck eTorque provides a far less tangible benefit than people claim to get from catch cans and they still did that.

What I’m saying is on the emissions front. If it made a difference they’d find a way to do it.

The age old debate about whether a can improves reliability… well even if it did I wouldn’t expect the OEMs to give a rats. That would never be the reason they’d do it. There’s no money in reliability!

 

[mikeru82]

That would require the consumers know how to, and would actually empty said catch cans. Which a majority of owners would NEVER do. This would cause an increase in complaints about poor running and check engine lights, and cost the manufacturer money on warranty work. As well as the added cost of the catch cans themselves, which would have to be approved by the EPA, which would cost money for the testing needed for approval.

It would be simple enough to make draining a catch can part of the maintenance routine. The majority of people don't even do their own oil changes, so really only those who do their own maintenance would be affected. But like you I don't see them adding catch cans anytime soon for the other reasons you mentioned. Audi's solution, at least on the B8 and B9 A4's and S5 I've owned is to include an oil trap in the pcv valve. Then they added replacement of the pcv valve during scheduled maintenance.

 

[HSKR R/T]

It would be simple enough to make draining a catch can part of the maintenance routine. The majority of people don't even do their own oil changes, so really only those who do their own maintenance would be affected. But like you I don't see them adding catch cans anytime soon for the other reasons you mentioned. Audi's solution, at least on the B8 and B9 A4's and S5 I've owned is to include an oil trap in the pcv valve. Then they added replacement of the pcv valve during scheduled maintenance.

The dealers might empty catch cans of you took it there for service, but your standard grease monkey at the quick change oil places most people who don't do their own oil changes, use would care less if they emptied one, that is, if they even knew to look for it, or find it

 

[dyeguy1212]

That would require the consumers know how to, and would actually empty said catch cans. Which a majority of owners would NEVER do. This would cause an increase in complaints about poor running and check engine lights, and cost the manufacturer money on warranty work. As well as the added cost of the catch cans themselves, which would have to be approved by the EPA, which would cost money for the testing needed for approval.

If it actually improved particulate, 100% they'd put the burden on the customer. They'll eliminate a foam cup holder for the door to save $0.03 per vehicle.. new emissions regs are looking like particulate filters on gas vehicles in 2030. Those cost $100s.

 

[A-TEAM]

Here is what my catch can looked like after 3600 miles in very wet and very cold last 3 months. Oil still actually looked pretty good, probably could have went longer, but its going to be crazy cold here and have a road trip coming up so wanted fresh stuff and new filter. Glad I dumped this catch, it was almost full and looked like a Starbucks latte!

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Here is what my catch can looked like after 3600 miles in very wet and very cold last 3 months. Oil still actually looked pretty good, probably could have went longer, but its going to be crazy cold here and have a road trip coming up so wanted fresh stuff and new filter. Glad I dumped this catch, it was almost full and looked like a Starbucks latte!

Dang that’s a lot for 3600 last time I emptied mine I went 2-3 cycles (5k intervals) and it was maybe half that.

 

[A-TEAM]

Its usually less than half of that and not as milky in warm months, but its been some crazy weather here, lots of freeze/unfreeze, very cold rain/snow and last few weeks, below freezing starts, warm up idling, etc. Glad my hemi didn't ingest a venti coffee the last few months. Proof is in the pic why we run these cans.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Here is what my catch can looked like after 3600 miles in very wet and very cold last 3 months. Oil still actually looked pretty good, probably could have went longer, but its going to be crazy cold here and have a road trip coming up so wanted fresh stuff and new filter. Glad I dumped this catch, it was almost full and looked like a Starbucks latte!

Need to check and empty catch cans more often in winter.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Its usually less than half of that and not as milky in warm months, but its been some crazy weather here, lots of freeze/unfreeze, very cold rain/snow and last few weeks, below freezing starts, warm up idling, etc. Glad my hemi didn't ingest a venti coffee the last few months. Proof is in the pic why we run these cans.

agreed