Oil catch can, help me choose

IraHayes · 05-16-2019, 10:33 AM

OK, I read a lot of conflicting info as to whether or not these things work, but if it keeps my valves clean, and keeps oil from pooling up inside my intercooler, it's worth the small investment. Just don't know which one to get.

Mishimoto? I like the design, and it has good reviews, but on the pricey side.

BMS? Seems to be the standard.

ECS? Just noticed they have one too, which also seems to have a convenient dip stick, but I don't know its track record.

Anyone already have one of these brands? What's your experience?

chhappy7 · 05-17-2019, 07:00 AM

Many of us have BMS. I personally haven't had any problems and it seems to catch stuff just fine.

Billfitz · 05-17-2019, 07:40 AM

I have this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It functions just fine. The only disadvantage is that to install it you have to cut the original PCV hose in the middle and splice in new sections of hose to connect to the can. If you're a skilled mechanic it's a simple job, if not you'll want a kit with plug and play hoses.

IraHayes · 05-17-2019, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I have this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It functions just fine. The only disadvantage is that to install it you have to cut the original PCV hose in the middle and splice in new sections of hose to connect to the can. If you're a skilled mechanic it's a simple job, if not you'll want a kit with plug and play hoses.

I remember that kit, Bill. Did you finally get around to installing it, or are you still procrastinating lol? I think I want to get one with plug and play hoses, not because it would be difficult to set up myself, but because I live in CA. We have to take our cars in for "smog" checks every two years. Part of that test involves a visual inspection of the emissions related components, so I would need to put the car back to stock every two years. Plug and play would just make the task easier.

Billfitz · 05-17-2019, 10:11 AM

I got mine installed two weeks ago, works fine. As for the emissions I doubt a catch can is a problem, since it has no effect on the operation of the PCV. I wrapped my hoses in foam insulation just like the original, so I doubt the average grease monkey would have the slightest idea that it's not OEM, being an invisible installation even though it's in plain sight. For that matter you can't even see the majority of the hoses unless you remove the air intake box.

IraHayes · 05-17-2019, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I wrapped my hoses in foam insulation just like the original, so I doubt the average grease monkey would have the slightest idea that it's not OEM, being an invisible installation even though it's in plain sight. For that matter you can't even see the majority of the hoses unless you remove the air intake box.

That's a great idea on the foam insulation.

Billfitz · 05-17-2019, 04:43 PM

The original pipe is wrapped with foam insulation. I don't know if it's supposed to keep the air in the pipe insulated from the heat of the engine compartment or the other way around, but I figured if BMW had a good reason to use it I would too.

IraHayes · 05-17-2019, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The original pipe is wrapped with foam insulation. I don't know if it's supposed to keep the air in the pipe insulated from the heat of the engine compartment or the other way around, but I figured if BMW had a good reason to use it I would too.

May I ask where you got it from? I just went to my local auto parts store for some other items and they didn’t have any.

Billfitz · 05-17-2019, 09:27 PM

Lowes. It's used to insulate hot water pipes. Get the thinner wall variety.

Dylantm · 05-18-2019, 09:06 PM

Just did mine today!

IraHayes · 05-23-2019, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylantm

Just did mine today!

Nice install. I ended up going with the BMS and installed it last night. Took less than 30 minutes to do. Man alive was I shocked to see the amount of oil lining the inside of the vent pipe. Hope the can makes that a thing of the past.

Billfitz · 03-05-2020, 11:11 AM

I confirmed the worth of my catch can today. The dipstick showed some content, so I pulled the can. It had a half inch of oil and water inside. The source of the water is condensation that builds up in the crankcase in freezing temperatures. If the engine gets hot enough it boils off, and/or gets sucked out of the crankcase as water vapor via the PCV. Since that vapor passes through the catch can along with oil it condenses in the catch can. Water vapor going into the intake via the PCV won't bother anything, but the oil does, so I'm glad I installed the catch can. This also confirms again to me the need to do an oil change in the spring, to get rid of winter moisture contamination in the oil.

chhappy7 · 03-05-2020, 01:30 PM

Yeah, I definitely get a lot more water being caught during the winter. It's my and my car's first winter and I've had to empty it at least once a month.

Billfitz · 03-05-2020, 02:43 PM

I hardly drive at all in winter, maybe 150 miles a month, and no long trips. I last checked the can in November, so it was all accumulated since then. The inside of the can was literally dripping with water, which I realize is there because water vapor comes out of the crankcase and condenses on the cold walls of the can. I went all summer with hardly any oil accumulation, and no visible water, despite driving five times as much in summer.

alohasurftoad · 03-05-2020, 05:00 PM

any opinions on a $150-200 name brand, such as bms or mishimoto, compared to a $50 one from ebay? i cannot see paying 3-4 times more for what appears to be the same product.

Billfitz · 03-05-2020, 05:05 PM

This is what I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The hoses that come with it are crap, but the unit itself does the job as well as the pricey ones.

sspade · 03-05-2020, 08:13 PM

You guys notice unburnt fuel in your catchings?

Mine smells strong of fuel.

Definitely a different mixture than my last vehicle witch was NA (but still DI). That thing would catch a lot of almost pure (dirty) oil whereas on my turbo N20 the mixture is much less pure oil like and has a lighter color shade.

Anyone have thoughts to share?

pdxpeter · 03-26-2020, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

You guys notice unburnt fuel in your catchings?

Mine smells strong of fuel.

Definitely a different mixture than my last vehicle witch was NA (but still DI). That thing would catch a lot of almost pure (dirty) oil whereas on my turbo N20 the mixture is much less pure oil like and has a lighter color shade.

Anyone have thoughts to share?

Its intended to catch the blow-by which will include plenty of unburnt fuel in addition to oil and water. Blow-by refers to the stuff that slips past the piston rings. If it were just unburnt fuel going back into the intake then it wouldn't be much of an issue. Unfortunately it tends to include oil churned up by the motion of the motor and water condensation.

exE36M3 · 03-29-2020, 12:07 AM

Hey Billfitz - can you spare a link/photo of your set-up? Need some ideas for hoses and hose routing. Heck, if you got the laundry list of parts, would love to see it posted!

Billfitz · 03-29-2020, 09:17 AM

Not a lot to see, most of the hose is under the intake box:

https://billfitzmaurice.info/images/BMW/Catch Can.jpg

I used silicone tape to secure the foam wrap in place. Out of sight on the back side of the upper hose is aluminum foil HVAC tape on the foam, shielding it from the engine heat.

Edit: I ended up removing the rubber hoses, replacing them with the stainless steel mesh wrapped hoses now shown in the picture, as I found that over time the rubber hoses kinked, potentially restricting air flow.

pdxpeter · 03-29-2020, 03:32 PM

If you are using heater hose then you probably don't need to wrap it in foam. BMW wraps their lines with insulation because its thin ridged plastic that gets brittle easily. Heater hose on the other hand is designed for the high heat. That foam insulation will fall apart long before the hose does.

Billfitz · 03-29-2020, 04:16 PM

Only BMW knows the purpose of the insulation. I doubt if it has to do with preserving the hoses, as the stock hoses aren't near engine hot spots. I figured it may not be necessary, but it can't hurt, and if it doesn't last the five bucks it would cost me to replace it won't break the bank.

View Poll Results: Which OCC?
Mishimoto	0	0%
BMS	6	75.00%
ECS	1	12.50%
Bacon	1	12.50%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

05-16-2019, 10:33 AM	#1
IraHayes First Lieutenant 154 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Oil catch can, help me choose OK, I read a lot of conflicting info as to whether or not these things work, but if it keeps my valves clean, and keeps oil from pooling up inside my intercooler, it's worth the small investment. Just don't know which one to get. Mishimoto? I like the design, and it has good reviews, but on the pricey side. BMS? Seems to be the standard. ECS? Just noticed they have one too, which also seems to have a convenient dip stick, but I don't know its track record. Anyone already have one of these brands? What's your experience?
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05-17-2019, 07:00 AM	#2
chhappy7 Major 519 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Hanover, NH iTrader: (0)	Many of us have BMS. I personally haven't had any problems and it seems to catch stuff just fine. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i 2015 328i - Sold @ 104,000 miles
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05-17-2019, 07:40 AM	#3
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I have this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It functions just fine. The only disadvantage is that to install it you have to cut the original PCV hose in the middle and splice in new sections of hose to connect to the can. If you're a skilled mechanic it's a simple job, if not you'll want a kit with plug and play hoses.
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05-17-2019, 10:11 AM	#5
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I got mine installed two weeks ago, works fine. As for the emissions I doubt a catch can is a problem, since it has no effect on the operation of the PCV. I wrapped my hoses in foam insulation just like the original, so I doubt the average grease monkey would have the slightest idea that it's not OEM, being an invisible installation even though it's in plain sight. For that matter you can't even see the majority of the hoses unless you remove the air intake box.
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05-17-2019, 04:43 PM	#7
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The original pipe is wrapped with foam insulation. I don't know if it's supposed to keep the air in the pipe insulated from the heat of the engine compartment or the other way around, but I figured if BMW had a good reason to use it I would too.
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05-17-2019, 09:27 PM	#9
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Lowes. It's used to insulate hot water pipes. Get the thinner wall variety.
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05-18-2019, 09:06 PM	#10
Dylantm Private 50 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 328i Xdrive Msport Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	Just did mine today! Attached Images
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03-05-2020, 11:11 AM	#12
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I confirmed the worth of my catch can today. The dipstick showed some content, so I pulled the can. It had a half inch of oil and water inside. The source of the water is condensation that builds up in the crankcase in freezing temperatures. If the engine gets hot enough it boils off, and/or gets sucked out of the crankcase as water vapor via the PCV. Since that vapor passes through the catch can along with oil it condenses in the catch can. Water vapor going into the intake via the PCV won't bother anything, but the oil does, so I'm glad I installed the catch can. This also confirms again to me the need to do an oil change in the spring, to get rid of winter moisture contamination in the oil.
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03-05-2020, 01:30 PM	#13
chhappy7 Major 519 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Hanover, NH iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I definitely get a lot more water being caught during the winter. It's my and my car's first winter and I've had to empty it at least once a month. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i 2015 328i - Sold @ 104,000 miles
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03-05-2020, 02:43 PM	#14
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I hardly drive at all in winter, maybe 150 miles a month, and no long trips. I last checked the can in November, so it was all accumulated since then. The inside of the can was literally dripping with water, which I realize is there because water vapor comes out of the crankcase and condenses on the cold walls of the can. I went all summer with hardly any oil accumulation, and no visible water, despite driving five times as much in summer.
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03-05-2020, 05:00 PM	#15
alohasurftoad Brigadier General 3072 Rep 4,315 Posts Drives: 440i gran coupe w/mppsk Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: hawaii iTrader: (0)	any opinions on a $150-200 name brand, such as bms or mishimoto, compared to a $50 one from ebay? i cannot see paying 3-4 times more for what appears to be the same product.
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03-05-2020, 05:05 PM	#16
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	This is what I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The hoses that come with it are crap, but the unit itself does the job as well as the pricey ones.
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03-05-2020, 08:13 PM	#17
sspade Major General 2465 Rep 5,457 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Stevenson, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [7.87] 2014 BMW 328i [6.83]	You guys notice unburnt fuel in your catchings? Mine smells strong of fuel. Definitely a different mixture than my last vehicle witch was NA (but still DI). That thing would catch a lot of almost pure (dirty) oil whereas on my turbo N20 the mixture is much less pure oil like and has a lighter color shade. Anyone have thoughts to share?
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03-29-2020, 12:07 AM	#19
exE36M3 BMW CCA Member 488 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2015 435i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (4)	Hey Billfitz - can you spare a link/photo of your set-up? Need some ideas for hoses and hose routing. Heck, if you got the laundry list of parts, would love to see it posted!
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03-29-2020, 09:17 AM	#20
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Not a lot to see, most of the hose is under the intake box: https://billfitzmaurice.info/images/BMW/Catch Can.jpg I used silicone tape to secure the foam wrap in place. Out of sight on the back side of the upper hose is aluminum foil HVAC tape on the foam, shielding it from the engine heat. Edit: I ended up removing the rubber hoses, replacing them with the stainless steel mesh wrapped hoses now shown in the picture, as I found that over time the rubber hoses kinked, potentially restricting air flow. Last edited by Billfitz; 11-04-2020 at 07:46 AM..
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03-29-2020, 03:32 PM	#21
pdxpeter Private First Class 62 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 M50, 1991 E30 vert Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Portland OR iTrader: (0)	If you are using heater hose then you probably don't need to wrap it in foam. BMW wraps their lines with insulation because its thin ridged plastic that gets brittle easily. Heater hose on the other hand is designed for the high heat. That foam insulation will fall apart long before the hose does.
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03-29-2020, 04:16 PM	#22
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Only BMW knows the purpose of the insulation. I doubt if it has to do with preserving the hoses, as the stock hoses aren't near engine hot spots. I figured it may not be necessary, but it can't hurt, and if it doesn't last the five bucks it would cost me to replace it won't break the bank.
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