Catch Can!

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lbv150

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I have said it too many times....a catch can will benefit any engine with a PCV system. Why put crankcase by products back into the intake system? Why dilute the fresh air and fuel charge in the cylinder with crap?
 

RobK

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Right now, I'm filling the 3oz cup on my JLT weekly with the milky mix and some oil. I also smell oil outside and in the cabin. More noticeable after engine has warmed up, shut off, then started up again (like running to the store). I took a look under the hood and didn't see any oil residue around the valve covers. I'm at about 48,000miles in my '17. First vehicle I've had where I get this oil smell. Any advice you guys can give is much appreciated.
 

JasonH

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Right now, I'm filling the 3oz cup on my JLT weekly with the milky mix and some oil. I also smell oil outside and in the cabin. More noticeable after engine has warmed up, shut off, then started up again (like running to the store). I took a look under the hood and didn't see any oil residue around the valve covers. I'm at about 48,000miles in my '17. First vehicle I've had where I get this oil smell. Any advice you guys can give is much appreciated.

Did you have an oil change recently? Perhaps the oil level is too high.
 

intense98neon

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I get the same smell, sort of an oily/gas smell. Usually when I smell it I go check the catch can and it is full. Also weekly or so, depending on driving habits that week. Ours gets idled a lot, and short trips, I'm assuming that is why I have so much in the winter.
 
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LokiWolf

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I get the same smell, sort of an oily/gas smell. Usually when I smell it I go check the catch can and it is full. Also weekly or so, depending on driving habits that week. Ours gets idled a lot, and short trips, I'm assuming that is why I have so much in the winter.

Correct! I have never smelled oil. When you empty it are you wiping down the can and the threads?


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JExpedition07

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Short Winter drives with lots of heat/cool cycles produce a lot of condensation in the oil so you’ll see milky oil caps and if you run a catch can it will fill much faster with milk. Here is a video by FordTechMakuloco that explains this pretty well.
 

WakeZone

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I just installed the JLT kit on my 'new' 50k mile '17 EB; hope it's not too late. With the gen1 - 3.5EB, there is no Ford approved method to clean intake valves. Cleaning these valves can push chunks of carbon and sludge directly into the turbine wheels. Any wheel imbalance created from this nastiness can result in very fast bearing wear and ultimate turbo failure. New Mahle turbos at Rockauto are running about $421 each. Installing 2 of these bad boys is likely twice the part cost or more. A catch can for the DI-ONLY engines is a no-brainer in my book.

Right now, I'm filling the 3oz cup on my JLT weekly with the milky mix and some oil. I also smell oil outside and in the cabin. More noticeable after engine has warmed up, shut off, then started up again (like running to the store). I took a look under the hood and didn't see any oil residue around the valve covers. I'm at about 48,000miles in my '17. First vehicle I've had where I get this oil smell. Any advice you guys can give is much appreciated.

I'm expecting to empty the catch can reservoir at 3k miles or so.

If you are emptying the can weekly, I would suspect oil level too high as previously mentioned or PCV valve is sticking open. Pull and clean it in gasoline or solvent, better yet, a new one is about 6 bucks. Good luck!
 
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LokiWolf

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I just installed the JLT kit on my 'new' 50k mile '17 EB; hope it's not too late. With the gen1 - 3.5EB, there is no Ford approved method to clean intake valves. Cleaning these valves can push chunks of carbon and sludge directly into the turbine wheels. Any wheel imbalance created from this nastiness can result in very fast bearing wear and ultimate turbo failure. New Mahle turbos at Rockauto are running about $421 each. Installing 2 of these bad boys is likely twice the part cost or more. A catch can for the DI-ONLY engines is a no-brainer in my book.



I'm expecting to empty the catch can reservoir at 3k miles or so.

If you are emptying the can weekly, I would suspect oil level too high as previously mentioned or PCV valve is sticking open. Pull and clean it in gasoline or solvent, better yet, a new one is about 6 bucks. Good luck!

In the Cool it is completely normal to have to empty more often, especially if you are idling a lot to warm the Truck up. In Warmer weather it will clean up a bit and decrease in volume. No PCV sticking open.


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intense98neon

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I've been wiping out the can, inside and out when I empty. When I smell the gas/oil the can is full right up to the top. I don't think anything is wrong with the truck, in the summer I an go for much longer, maybe 5,000 miles before emptying it.
 

RobK

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Did you have an oil change recently? Perhaps the oil level is too high.
Nope, I change my own oil. It seemed high when I checked it before I changed it so I drained from the plug on level ground and measured how much came out. Them added 5 qts of amsoil, then checked next day and added another half qt to bring it right in the middle on the dipstick. I just checked it a week ago and it was still good. after seeing how much crap the can was catching, I was sure it would've dropped. Must not be that much oil and mostly moisture and other shtuff getting caught in the can.
 

RobK

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In the Cool it is completely normal to have to empty more often, especially if you are idling a lot to warm the Truck up. In Warmer weather it will clean up a bit and decrease in volume. No PCV sticking open.


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I will check the pcv valve. Thank you for the advice.
 

Broncoholic

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Anybody know if installing a catch can will void warranty? My '16 has 53k miles and occasional stumble idle, so I'm strongly considering adding a catch can. I have full extended warranty through 100k miles, so I don't want to void or have claim issues in the future.
 
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LokiWolf

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Anybody know if installing a catch can will void warranty? My '16 has 53k miles and occasional stumble idle, so I'm strongly considering adding a catch can. I have full extended warranty through 100k miles, so I don't want to void or have claim issues in the future.

Mine has been installed since about 20K, and I am at 44K. It has been to the dealer for EVERY oil change!


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Boostedbus

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I don’t get this problem in the winter with my Team RXP can because it separates the water from the oil and only catches oil. I’ve been relaying this info to all when trying to decide on which can to install. There is a benefit for the extra $$$.
 

MidwestBoater

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I'm neither for or against catch cans, but I'm at 102,000 on my 2016 EB Expy without a catch can and no issues to speak of. The truck runs great. I've change the plugs twice, both times the old plugs were clean. I use full synthetic oil, do changes every 5k miles, and only use "top tier" fuels, none of my trips are short, every time it's driven it is brought up to operating temp, and though most of my driving is sedate, I do run it out to red line in 2nd gear once in a while when getting onto the highway to "blow out the cobwebs".
 
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LokiWolf

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I'm neither for or against catch cans, but I'm at 102,000 on my 2016 EB Expy without a catch can and no issues to speak of. The truck runs great. I've change the plugs twice, both times the old plugs were clean. I use full synthetic oil, do changes every 5k miles, and only use "top tier" fuels, none of my trips are short, every time it's driven it is brought up to operating temp, and though most of my driving is sedate, I do run it out to red line in 2nd gear once in a while when getting onto the highway to "blow out the cobwebs".

Most drivers of these are probably the opposite. Lots of idling, short trips, etc. That is how ours is used.


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Broncoholic

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Mine has been installed since about 20K, and I am at 44K. It has been to the dealer for EVERY oil change!


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Thanks for the reply Loki. I bought it used with 34k miles on it and take it to the dealer for all maintenance (got the maintenance package for it). I doubt they'd stop doing maintenance if I install a catch can, but I don't want a warranty hassle if there's an engine failure (water pump, turbo, other).

It's actually at the dealer now getting maintenance and warranty work done. I asked the service manager to see if he can give me an answer on a catch can voiding warranty, and asked him to check with the engine techs to see if they have any experience with them.
 
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LokiWolf

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I don’t get this problem in the winter with my Team RXP can because it separates the water from the oil and only catches oil. I’ve been relaying this info to all when trying to decide on which can to install. There is a benefit for the extra $$$.

Definitely a better setup. But $450 for all plastic parts. $550 to go to Aluminum, and $150 more if you want the Black Braided hose. You can say they are trying to recoup development cost, but not anymore.

If it was $300, maybe even $350, I probably would have gotten it over the JLT. But at $150, I get a quality made can that I have to empty more often.

Having a hard time getting people to think it is needed. $450 makes it even harder to get buy in.


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