Remember to check and empty your OCC (Oil Catch Can)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Jenny2010Prius, Apr 24, 2022.

  1. Jenny2010Prius

    Jenny2010Prius Junior Member

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    While I had the intake manifold, EGR pipe/valve/cooler, and PCV valve cleaned last summer for my 2010 Prius at 242K km, I also added an OCC (Oil Catch Can).

    [​IMG]

    8 months & 8,000 km later .... While changing oil & servicing brakes today, I noticed the OCC and decided to open it to check. Actually I hesitated for a while because I thought there might not be much stuff inside. How wrong was I!

    The OCC is totally full, with yellow/brown foams on top, oil under, and some kind of more dense yellow/brown stuff at the bottom. Got my hands soaked as I didn't expect a full can. Washed so many times and they still smell oil as of now.

    [​IMG]

    Will check at least every 3K km from now on.
     

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    #1 Jenny2010Prius, Apr 24, 2022
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  2. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

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    Looks like it is working. I check mine at every oil change. (Every 5000)
     
    #2 2010moneypit?, Apr 25, 2022
  3. prius16

    prius16 Active Member

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    Good reminder!
    (y)
     
    #3 prius16, Apr 25, 2022
  4. Sergio_2020

    Sergio_2020 Junior Member

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    Hi. Can you post your filtering material photo? Is it a wire mesh or some other type of filtering material?
     
    #4 Sergio_2020, Apr 26, 2022
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The bottom layer is mostly water, with water soluble stuff of some sort colouring it.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Apr 26, 2022
  6. Jenny2010Prius

    Jenny2010Prius Junior Member

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    I didn't put any filtering material inside the OCC. The outgoing chamber of OCC has a metal bottom with small holes on it. Guess that design offers some "filtering" effect.

    If you put any filtering material inside the OCC, you'll have to change it every time. I don't think it's practical to clean any material soaked in that oily fluid.
     
    #6 Jenny2010Prius, Apr 26, 2022
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  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Looks like I’m in the dog house. Mine can has the same filter medium for the last 110,000 miles. No chemical trace of the medium in the engine oil from the last oil lab analysis.
     
    #7 Grit, Apr 29, 2022
  8. Jenny2010Prius

    Jenny2010Prius Junior Member

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    You shouldn't be in any trouble.

    The only reason I said that ("you'll have to change it every time") is it looks dirty. Probably doesn't matter at all as new ones will be soaked/got dirty right away.
     
    #8 Jenny2010Prius, Apr 29, 2022
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Make sure you have an extra set of gasket for your occ on the body screw section. The rubber can expand or break because of prolong hot tempature. After the second oil time I unscrewed the cap, the rubber gasket expanded circumference wise and couldn’t screw the bottom
    Half back on. Good thing I had a back up occ on hand and took the gasket from the extra can. My occ has a turn screw drain on the bottom so good thing no unscrewing bottom half
     
    #9 Grit, Apr 29, 2022
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I ran into that with my Moroso: the o-ring beteeen top and bottom halves stretched. I got the specs from them, and luckily it’s readily available, though I had to buy something like 10 for $20. They recommended to baste it with anti-seize too, which I follow now.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Apr 29, 2022
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  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Anti seize (messy aluminum stuff) or some silicone grease/Sil-Glyde safe for rubber boots and seals?

    I believe anti seize is petroleum based and can swell rubber o-rings and boots/seals.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #11 xliderider, Apr 30, 2022
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah I know what you’re saying. The rep said anti-seize, and I seem to recall it looking a little silver when I got it and opened up for a look. Maybe depends on the rubber spec.

    I’ll maybe try Sil-glyde Brake Lube next time I have it open, with a new O-ring (got lots). To drain I just open the petcock on the bottom, but I might disassemble this fall coming up.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Apr 30, 2022
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