Prius Gen 3 Major Maintenance: EGR, manifold, spark plugs, Oil Catch Can

Has anyone installed the catch can(s) near the passenger side firewall?

I know most people install it between the fuse box and the driver's side headlight, but I was looking for spaces where the catch can(s) can go today and there's a lot of room in the back corner, near the passenger side firewall, under the windshield cowl. There's even some threaded holes in the strut tower too, I think. Perfect for a bracket or such to be bolted on.

I also wanted it tucked away, so that someone might be not really notice it, but accessible to inspect and empty them.

The reason is that we have to get an annual safety inspection, and the last one I went to, they had me pop the hood and he was looking around with a flashlight. I'm not sure if it would pass if I modify the PCV/pollution control system.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I’d ignore his OCC “advice”, and clean, not replace, EGR components; same for intake.

When I did all this at 70k kms, I didn’t even replace gaskets; everything fine. And I’m using two Moroso 85474’s (Oil Catch Can’s), in series.

I’m resisting the urge to watch that video, might lead me to start ranting in the comments, lol.

 

I mounted the catch can on our old 2010 to the front cross beam just below the PCV valve:

What did you do to ur Gen III Prius today????

It stays out of sight there.

Another spot to consider.

 

Hi Ray,
How did you mount it? Using zip ties? Or did you drill self tapping screws into the frame to hold a bracket?

 

Zip ties.

The can and zip ties were still there and in good shape until I removed it in April 2019 when I removed the setup to sell the car.

The Prime doesn't have the same engine bay setup, so I had to mount that up top.

But it catches spooge, so a good mod for those that want to keep their Gen4's.

 

I think Mendel Leisk mounted his on the crossmember as well. Definitely out of sight down there.

But don't you have to remove the big undercover to access it?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Nope.

The air intake is much easier to remove and worked for me.

Put a drain valve on it and it will make the job very easy.

 

Yup, do drains together with oil changes.

 

my occ is still loaded in a empty corn can found in raytheeagle’s garage, we zip tied the corn can to the xmember. Think the occ been mounted for 3 years, amazed that the $9.99 occ & mount set up still holding up.

 

Could someone have a look at the question i asked earlier? What i want to know is if later models also suffer from a EGR system that gets clogged up. Most of the posts seem to talk about 2010-2012 Prius that suffer from EGR clogging?

I don't have a Prius, but an Auris Touring Sports from 2015 (European car). Under the hood it looks exactly the same as the Prius 3.

 

Back to my earliest memory of an EGR-equipped vehicle (a 1979 Dodge Colt), I don't believe I've ever met one that didn't need regular attention. That Colt needed the passages reamed out every time you'd turn around (100,000 mile maintenance intervals weren't really a thing then). Ford's system in the early 80s oddly never gave me clogging problems much, but each $130 valve position sensor seemed to be good for about eleven months.

 

I think any 3rd gen year is equally prone to Exhaust Gas Recirculation clogging. I believe 2012~2015 have revised intake manifold and EGR valve revisions, but am sceptical that they make much (if any) difference.

 

Would this help?

Cataclean 120007 Cataclean - Engine, Fuel, and Exhaust Cleaner (Gasoline) (16oz)

 

We’re mostly Americans here (and one very special Canadian), so we’re unfamiliar with your car. But if it has the same engine/intake, then very likely it has the same issue. In the NutzAboutBolts sticky threads, look for the EGR pipe cleaning video. That’s the easiest way to assess any clogging.

Next is removing the intake manifold, which is pretty easy to do. Removing the EGR and cleaning it out is work. Not “replacing head gasket” level, though. Not close.

 

I understand, but as i read that the intake manifold got superseded at some time. I thought that maybe because of the younger age my car will have that manifold and won't suffer from the problems. But judging by the feeling here, i think I indeed just need to take it apart and check for clogging.

Was hoping that someone would say: "Ahh, spare yourself the hassle/time, as the issue doesn't occur anymore with cars built after 20xx".

 

That’s why I told you to first take off the EGR pipe. It’s only five small bolts.

 

It's a reasonable line of thinking, but I don't think we honestly know how much difference the newer manifold makes. And it certainly will eventually clog, since nothing has changed the amount of carbon flowing through the EGR system. But it might stay more evenly distributed (in terms of how much EGR flows to each cylinder) for longer than the earlier revision of the intake manifold.

At your mileage it makes sense to take the precaution of cleaning the whole enchilada (or however you would say it in Dutch -- the whole stroopwafel?). That suggested inspecting of the EGR pipe it will likely remove all doubt.

But if you have the opportunity, when you have the manifold removed you might flow some water through it to see if it has clogged unevenly. I'd be pleasantly surprised if it the EGR ports have equal output.

 

I heard (pretty sure here) that dealerships were advocating replacement of the intake manifold (for cold start shakes, Exhaust Gas Recirculation clog code), but they’ve backed off now. In short: it doesn’t help much.

(EGR link in my sig has info)

 

Still haven't got a chance to do the EGR cooler swap and oil catch can install.

Ordered these cool stainless steel fittings to go between the intake and the relocated PCV valve on the way to the outlet of the catch can.

I'm planning to mount the catch can down low and out of sight on the engine crossmember, and relocate the PCV valve to a vertical position on the way up to the intake. My thinking is that the PCV valve will stay a lot cleaner if it is after the oil catch can, and being vertical, any oil in the tubing will drain back down to the catch can.

I'll only need one fitting for the Prius, but I also plan on doing the same to a 2014 Corolla, with a virtually identical PCV to intake setup as the Prius.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Though we go through our share of canned corn, I had some 1/2 inch stainless steel mesh left over.

It will be attached to the crossmember with stainless steel zipties.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.