Oil Catch Can @ 245k miles & Intake Manifold Cleaning

I conducted a successful procedure integrating an Oil Catch Can (OCC) and preventive maintenance on the intake manifold and port systems. It took all day with a trip to the Menards hardware store. This should catch a lot of residual oil from the oil blow by in faulty Toyota engines.

PARTS & TOOLS-
- cheap $17 amazon ordered OCC; has 2x 3/8" inlets; no unscrew access (odd)
- 1 feet of 3/4" braided vinyl hose
- 7 feet of 3/8" fuel line
- brass adapter that we bought threaded end was and the barb side 3/8"
- steel wool
- PCV
- gaskets for intake manifold and throttle body

IDENTIFY SPACE- After clearing out the intake manifold I identified a clear spot up front near the radiator. After my after-market cold air intake pipe freed up loads of engine compartment space.

PREP OCC- i opened up the bottom access bolt and stuffed a small fist full of steel wool; this should keep low and stable under high pressure from the in/out takes lines.

PCV VALVE PORT OUT- I swapped out the PCV valve for a new one and connected the foot fuel line. Tightened down with 3/4" hose clamps.

INTAKE MANIFOLD PORT LINE IN- This line required a reduction connector from 3/4" to 3/8". I threaded in the brass fitting into the ~1 foot of 3/4" braided vinyl. Tightened it down with 1" hose clamps.

ADDITIONAL TASKS- good thing I didnt need to remove the cowel/windshield wipers. While down there for the OCC project, I also conducted preventative maintenance: swapped out the PCV valve, cleaned out the throttle body & intake manifold and ports, swapped new gaskets for and throttle body and manifold, and cleaned the EGR pipe.

ROAD TEST- No CEL codes availed themselves at 70mph highway road test on cruse control for 10 minutes. No leaks, same engine noise, as if this procedure never occurred. More reporting in the months ahead...

 

Thanks for your thoughts.
This OCC has a bad design; and I already wrote a critique to the vendor. The lid doesnt unscrew open and not designed that way; hence the $16 price tag-- lol. There are 4 small holes and and 1 slightly bigger drain hole on the bottom. There are 2 on top for air intake/outtake; 2 on side for the oil level indicator). Unfortunately it was a challenge in getting whole pieces of steel wool up a 1 cm diameter entry port. I agree with your note of possible steel wool debris making its way into the engine. I will monitor this over the year. If it doesnt hold, I will probably replace the OCC with a more superior design model. Otherwise for the price its a satisfactory product.
Cheers

 

I wasnt ready to make any permanent drill holes into the frame [yet]. Not a lot of engine vibration from the front radiator frame. A lot of the rubber piping coming into each other, formulate a level of conforming stressers pressing up and into each other. Everything wants to be suspended up, go figure. As well all the materials are actually quite light, and an additional of a cup of oil gained over the months wont weigh the contraption down any. The zip tie down is pretty solid; the simplicity is it beauty. ; )

 

I definitely will consider it in the future, thanks.
I was shocked upon initial inspection of no cap removal; i took it for granted that all OCCs had them. This design proved to me that one OCC design is not similar to the rest.

I plan on giving this a go for at least 3 months, looking out for: leaks, pressure issues, CEL, but mostly oil catch to curb the oil blowby getting in the intake manifold/ports.

All the discussion is great, as I can see already and appreciate what an IDEAL OCC would look like. This is definitely the value of starting with simple products first, then branching out to larger/better.

 

ML,
Right on with the cushion; I will look into it next. I have a new EGR-cooler & valve coming in the mail-- project for next weekend.

Yes with the aftermarket cold air intake, the engine compartment is cavernous. I could practically fit a carry-on roller into the space. It came that way when i purchased the Prius 2 years back. The prior owner definitely had fun with this mod. Its loud and fun; I dont think it actually gives me more HP compared to without it. Nor does it hurt, so i just left it be.

The brass mender is a screw on at the 3/4' side; it threaded firm into the clear braided vinyl; i had to lube with WD40. I feel pretty good that its threaded secure; thus i added the clamp prob more for added "visual effect." ; ) The braided tube is just as durable as the fuel lines: temp range of -50 to +175 degrees F and a max working pressure of 215 PSI. Yes, the other barb end has some "good sharp teeth" and dug in pretty well into the 3/8 fuel line. "If" i need clamps, those were probably less secured of them both comparably IMHO. The tubing and brass barbs that came with the product were inferior; I junked and replaced those instantly.


BTW, sounds like you also had an OCC placed in your Prius. How long ago? Was it worth the effort overall? Is it doing well for you? Any big problems since procedure? Any notably less oil burning? Is your EGR system noticeably cleaner? I can only estimate that the OCC helps the excess oil burning and EGR system; i assess to ultimately extend the life of EGR system, O2 sensors, CAT, and exhaust.

 

Great day today for car some maintenance.
- I got to re-attack the OCC and add a foam cushion in between air intake & OCC.
- pics of aftermarket cold air intake
- pic of cavernous engine space with aftermarket cold air intake

 

UPDATE REPORT
3 weeks & ~300 miles later. The smooth engine ride and great mileage at 246k miles is very encouraging for my initial OCC reporting.

Picture- 25min highway ride; averaging 50mpg; akin to numbers prior to OCC procedure.