Oil Catch cans for Diesel Tugs

Boots in Action

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Mar 13, 2017
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I have read a lot about these additions to the vehicle I have (RC Colorado 2011) and it appears that if wanting to reduce buildup of carbon on exhaust port and EGR valve, they are a good idea. Also, the thought of directing oily fumes directly onto the turbo does not sound like a good idea. There is also the matter of blanking off the exhaust port for the EGR and the issues of legality and warning light coming on indicating fault when vehicle goes in for service. As I intend to hang onto this reliable tug for sometime, I would appreciate any feed back from members on this subject. Electrics/solar may be my stronger suit, but this is all new ground for me as this is first diesel vehicle i have owned. Can anyone help/advise?/
 

Pace

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Sep 16, 2011
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Our C7 has a catch can on it and it does gather vented oil well, got it from eBay (approx $110). Would highly suggest saving this oil from passing through cooler. No blank plate fitted, though thinking of of ecu reflash and 3” exhaust system, keep it quite though............

Pace.
 

Tone

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Get a provent kit from Western Filters Sydney some cheap catch cans don’t have relief valves and can over Preasure the engine and blow seals. The FlashLube on is good too. They must have some kind of filter arrangement not just a can or they don’t do much.
 

JT76

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Jump onto a Colorado forum ( unless someone here has been there, done that) as every model is different re if you will throw up a code or not. I fitted an egr blank with in a few days of getting our car new. PX ranger can handle full blank plate without codes.

As yours has been cruising for a while without one you will be best giving your intake a good clean as there will be a build up. Some cars will fault with a full blank so you can get one with a small hole. This will help a little but not ideal. I have a friend with a 120 Prado and he blanked it but had some other little box to trick the computer so it didn’t know it was there.
 
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Smergen

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I have a HPD catch-can in the Rock Truck (RG Colorado) and have taken it around the country. I reckon I've collected (and disposed of) around 1L of oil since putting it in quite some time.

Regardless of what they might do, don't do, could cause, help with, etc... I reckon surely intercepting this oil and not having it go back through the engine process can only be a good thing.

We love the HPD catch can, it's really well put together, was seamless to install and looks factory under the hood. It also has a dipstick to check levels which helps with maintenance. It was pricey though and I'm sure others could do similar for less price.
 

Johnanbev

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@Smergen I have the HPD can also, I removed it from my previous Colorado and put it into my new one in February.
During the change over I inspected the upper filter of the unit. It has about 8 screen filters,( 4 inlet, 4 exit), they had retained some larger "chunks", good idea to clean the screens occasionally! You will need curclip plyers to get them out.
I agree, the HPD is expensive but is a really well manufactured piece of kit.
 
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Boots in Action

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Jump onto a Colorado forum ( unless someone here has been there, done that) as every model is different re if you will throw up a code or not. I fitted an egr blank with in a few days of getting our car new. PX ranger can handle full blank plate without codes.

As yours has been cruising for a while without one you will be best giving your intake a good clean as there will be a build up. Some cars will fault with a full blank so you can get one with a small hole. This will help a little but not ideal. I have a friend with a 120 Prado and he blanked it but had some other little box to trick the computer so it didn’t know it was there.

Thanks for your advice @JT76 . I have purchased a Machter oil catch can for my model Colorado for around $100.00 delivered. It has 5 year warranty, stainless steel washable filter and the necessary over pressure valves etc. Sill working out where to fit it as not much room in that area. I hope it works okay.
As far as cleaning/reducing the build up already there, what sort of cleaning ritual would you recommend?? I have seen a few on Utube, but will they really do the job and not do any further damage?? The blanking plate supplied has a small hole in each port, but it looks a bit of a hassle to fit and remove before service. Any ideas please??
 

JT76

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I havent had to clean one before. I have heard of a foamy spray that is meant to break it up with mixed results. I would take the manifold off if it's not too much of a hassle and then you will know what you are dealing with. I think there are a few off the shelf sprays (like oven cleaner).

I wouldnt worry about taking it in and out for service. I have never taken mine out even went back to dealer for a small leak in the rear main under warranty and didnt bother taking it out. There is no reason they would be poking around in that area to even see if it's in. Im not sure if they could tell through software or not but I doubt it, or if they can I cant see why they would be checking, unless they were looking for an out with warranty and trying to blame it.
 

Bellbirdweb

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I havent had to clean one before. I have heard of a foamy spray that is meant to break it up with mixed results. I would take the manifold off if it's not too much of a hassle and then you will know what you are dealing with. I think there are a few off the shelf sprays (like oven cleaner).

I wouldnt worry about taking it in and out for service. I have never taken mine out even went back to dealer for a small leak in the rear main under warranty and didnt bother taking it out. There is no reason they would be poking around in that area to even see if it's in. Im not sure if they could tell through software or not but I doubt it, or if they can I cant see why they would be checking, unless they were looking for an out with warranty and trying to blame it.
The reason they have the holes is so they don’t throw fault codes on the vehicle computer so I wouldn’t bother trying to take them out before servicing.

I would however reconsider fitting the blanking plate.

If you have a good catch can, the ERG is not as much of an issue as there isn’t the oil to create the gunk.

Keep the vehicle compliant as well.
 

Smergen

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@Smergen I have the HPD can also, I removed it from my previous Colorado and put it into my new one in February.
During the change over I inspected the upper filter of the unit. It has about 8 screen filters,( 4 inlet, 4 exit), they had retained some larger "chunks", good idea to clean the screens occasionally! You will need curclip plyers to get them out.
I agree, the HPD is expensive but is a really well manufactured piece of kit.

Thanks mate, appreciate that tip.
 
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Boots in Action

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The reason they have the holes is so they don’t throw fault codes on the vehicle computer so I wouldn’t bother trying to take them out before servicing.

I would however reconsider fitting the blanking plate.

If you have a good catch can, the ERG is not as much of an issue as there isn’t the oil to create the gunk.

Keep the vehicle compliant as well.

Thanks @Bellbirdweb and all the others who gave me confidence to fit a good oil catch can. Very interesting time in fitting same as not much bloody room in my Colorado. Had a couple of recent trips with van in tow. Found that tug seemed to have extra power on hills (no oily fumes into turbo and intake manifold - just good diesel fuel into combustion chambers??) and also cooler running under heavy loads. Was also looking at the need for a blanking panel for the EGR valve, but then came across a site for a blanking lead that fits onto the air sensor to make the EGR stay closed. A lot dearer, but easy to fit and remove at any time.

See site with listing: Are these worthwhile and as good as they say? Seems easier to install instead of undoing bolts etc. Any member used this device or have any comments? Vehicle only has 130,000 Kms and in very good condition, but build up of carbon from previous running unknown.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/EGR-001...O-2008-2012-4JJ1-Engine/112804670059?var=null
 

Tone

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Thanks @Bellbirdweb and all the others who gave me confidence to fit a good oil catch can. Very interesting time in fitting same as not much bloody room in my Colorado. Had a couple of recent trips with van in tow. Found that tug seemed to have extra power on hills (no oily fumes into turbo and intake manifold - just good diesel fuel into combustion chambers??) and also cooler running under heavy loads. Was also looking at the need for a blanking panel for the EGR valve, but then came across a site for a blanking lead that fits onto the air sensor to make the EGR stay closed. A lot dearer, but easy to fit and remove at any time.

See site with listing: Are these worthwhile and as good as they say? Seems easier to install instead of undoing bolts etc. Any member used this device or have any comments? Vehicle only has 130,000 Kms and in very good condition, but build up of carbon from previous running unknown.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/EGR-001...O-2008-2012-4JJ1-Engine/112804670059?var=null
I have one of these type of leads on my Triton. On the Triton it makes the computer think the air temperature is colder than it is keeping the egr closed it isn’t suppose to affect tuning. It dose keep the egr closed going by the scan tool.
 

Boots in Action

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I have one of these type of leads on my Triton. On the Triton it makes the computer think the air temperature is colder than it is keeping the egr closed it isn’t suppose to affect tuning. It dose keep the egr closed going by the scan tool.

Thanks @Tone for that info. Do you have an oil catch can as well for your tug? How long have you had the bypass blanking lead and do you notice any difference in vehicle performance? I guess that if you have these systems operating in your tug, you would not be aware of any carbon buildup on inlet valves and exhaust pipes like I have seen on many a Utube picture and no oily residue going through the turbo..
 

Tone

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Thanks @Tone for that info. Do you have an oil catch can as well for your tug? How long have you had the bypass blanking lead and do you notice any difference in vehicle performance? I guess that if you have these systems operating in your tug, you would not be aware of any carbon buildup on inlet valves and exhaust pipes like I have seen on many a Utube picture and no oily residue going through the turbo..
Yeh have a provent catch can. No performance difference at all. Had a look in the intake manifold after the turbo. Still gets a little oil but catch cans don’t get 100% out but pretty clean. My old Triton 3.2 got pretty blocked cleaned it myself.
 
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Drover

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Catch can does a great job, around 200ml of oil per 10/15,000 odd kms caught in can as an average, with an old engine wouldn't worry about a blanking plate the EGR is only open for a short time and the problems with codes , electonic blocking can lead to battery problems in some vehicles as they trick the ECU into thinking the temp is around 5 deg so the EGR stays closed, thus tells the alternator to push more charge into battery........depends on vehicle as each engine manufacturer does it their way.................. Liqui Molloy Diesel Intake cleaner works on cleaning the crap out but with an old engine may need multiple applications..........my RG only has a catch can as the electonic mod is hit and miss and a blanking plate is just too difficult, while the Merc engine had a catch can and an electronic EGR shut off I made, cost $4 to make..


Earlier Info Thread................ http://expandasdownunder.com/threads/egrs-crd-killer.10287/
 

Boots in Action

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Catch can does a great job, around 200ml of oil per 10/15,000 odd kms caught in can as an average, with an old engine wouldn't worry about a blanking plate the EGR is only open for a short time and the problems with codes , electonic blocking can lead to battery problems in some vehicles as they trick the ECU into thinking the temp is around 5 deg so the EGR stays closed, thus tells the alternator to push more charge into battery........depends on vehicle as each engine manufacturer does it their way.................. Liqui Molloy Diesel Intake cleaner works on cleaning the crap out but with an old engine may need multiple applications..........my RG only has a catch can as the electonic mod is hit and miss and a blanking plate is just too difficult, while the Merc engine had a catch can and an electronic EGR shut off I made, cost $4 to make..


Earlier Info Thread................ http://expandasdownunder.com/threads/egrs-crd-killer.10287/

Hi @Drover , thank you for the reference to earlier posts on this subject. I was not aware of the depth of experience that some members including yourself had on this subject earlier. Before ordering the Blanking Lead, I checked up on the possible problem with the Blanking Lead controlling other operations as mentioned by you, ie. battery charging voltage. You are quite correct as this DOES apply to the RG series Colorado, but fortunately does NOT apply to my RC model! I have ordered same and should have it next week and will fit it after giving the system the Liqui Moly treatment to at least give the system a bit of a clean out first. I, too, see the fitting of the metal blanking plate a bit of a hassle (for the moment anyway) and that is why I am going for the Blanking Lead. I will let you know how it goes after fitting. The oil catch can I have fitted seems to be the same as the Provent 200 in every way, and with a 5 year warranty, I hope it will do the job. So far the tug seems to like the better mixture into the combustion chambers (without so much oily blow by gases/oil mixture!!!) and I have already caught some oil in the discharge tube. Thanks again for you assistance.
 

Boots in Action

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Mar 13, 2017
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Ferny Grove, Queensland
Jump onto a Colorado forum ( unless someone here has been there, done that) as every model is different re if you will throw up a code or not. I fitted an egr blank with in a few days of getting our car new. PX ranger can handle full blank plate without codes.

As yours has been cruising for a while without one you will be best giving your intake a good clean as there will be a build up. Some cars will fault with a full blank so you can get one with a small hole. This will help a little but not ideal. I have a friend with a 120 Prado and he blanked it but had some other little box to trick the computer so it didn’t know it was there.

Hello @JT76 , just a follow up on the fitting of oil catch can and a blanking lead for my tug, I noted your advice about cleaning out the exhaust port and outlets as they may be a bit blocked after all my previous running. Accordingly, I gave it two cans of "Liquid Moly" into the inlet just before the turbo and managed to get some improvement. However, in dissolving a lot of the carbon/gunk buildup, I managed to clear away sufficient carbon etc so that the gasket was no longer fully sealing. Brought it to the attention of service people and was listed for next service a few weeks later. A couple of days later, whilst travelling with my van at 110kph on the main highway, the engine warning light came on. Very concerned, stopped and lifted bonnet, but all appeared well. Continued on journey another 100kms to destination with light still on. Tried several times to remove light by disconnecting battery for long periods, but still there. Did not have to use vehicle as camping in National park. On the return home a week later at highway speed with van still in tow, light disappeared. Next day, straight into service area with problem.
Yes, the EGR valve was sticking partially open and area was still badly fouled up. Next day with new EGR valve and exhaust areas cleaned out, I had a different engine under the bonnet!! A huge difference with exhaust areas clean again and blanking lead ensuring no operation of EGR to rob engine of power and no warning light on. Many thanks for the warning about the necessity to have the gunk from previous running removed at the time, but my half- hearted approach did not work. Fortunately, all this work was covered by my extended special warranty, so it cost me nothing!! This for your information.