Catch can or Not?

[m1949]

I've read a good bit about catch cans after noticing several on this forum have installed them. From what I read online they are HIGHLY recommended for direct injection equipped engines, but not much is said about their usefulness with multi-port injected engines. Yet, it appears many of you who have trucks with MPFI have installed them. To those of you who have, I'm interested in knowing what you are seeing in the catch cans and how often do you find they need to be emptied and cleaned? Thanks!

 

[nick0789]

I have the standard 5.3 in my tahoe and was always interested in getting one. When I went to replace my intake manifold gaskets this past weekend, I noticed a lot of oil build-up in the intake ports and when I sat down the intake on the garage floor, oil drained out the front of the throttle body.
Immediately went and ordered a catch can. A lot of people on this forum recommend getting one from catchcans.com --> mine is arriving at some point this week.

For a MPFI engine, I would imagine the benefit of a catch can would be similar enough to a direct injection engine and also be [somewhat] dependent on the amount of blow-by you have too. Someone can correct me, as I am not the best with MPFI setups.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

While MPFI setups have the opportunity to get gas (solvent) on the back side of the valves, it still is not a great idea to have oil going into the combustion chamber. IMO, catch cans will still benefit MPFI setups.

 

[George B]

I bought a $25 one on amazon and installed it. Catches about 5oz in the summer and more in the winter. I empty it at 5,000 mi when I change the oil.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Huge help especially with a new clean intake manifold, if you don't have one the intake will be coated in oil in no time.

 

[Scottydoggs]

i bought the 25 dollar one off amazon made a bracket and hooked it up. def catches oil.

 

[iamdub]

I've read a good bit about catch cans after noticing several on this forum have installed them. From what I read online they are HIGHLY recommended for direct injection equipped engines, but not much is said about their usefulness with multi-port injected engines. Yet, it appears many of you who have trucks with MPFI have installed them. To those of you who have, I'm interested in knowing what you are seeing in the catch cans and how often do you find they need to be emptied and cleaned? Thanks!

Better to have and not need it than need and not have.

The draining frequency will vary based on how much oil your PCV system passes and how big the reservoir of your catch can is. I have a catchcans.com one with a stainless scrub pad added and consistently drain between 2-3 ounces at every 5,000 mile oil change. You can see it in my sig pic.

Until you know how much oil is in your system, you can check it every 1,000 miles or so.

 

[swathdiver]

I have the standard 5.3 in my tahoe and was always interested in getting one. When I went to replace my intake manifold gaskets this past weekend, I noticed a lot of oil build-up in the intake ports and when I sat down the intake on the garage floor, oil drained out the front of the throttle body.

We did ours this week and a couple of ounces poured out onto the floor as we were cleaning it! I used to vent my motors to the atmosphere, might do it again soon to this motor.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I am averaging 0.9 fl. oz. per 1000 miles driven.

 

[nick0789]

For the catch can routing, the proper way is to plumb as follows correct?

Valve cover —> side port of catch can —> top port of catch can to intake manifold

That’s the way I’ve seen it most but read a couple other threads that the other direction is (arguably) better.