Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock!

We actually had some rain down here yesterday and more in the forecast.

But I’ll make pulling the stick in the Can part of the routine.

Not a bad addition to the usual 5 minute routine.

 

Here is our first report of a 90K mile Gen 4. Dealer performed maintenance, but it mentions oil seen in the intake manifold looking through the throttle body.
Noticeable performance improvement after dealer service.

Super-Commuter & high mile thread | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

I’m still more than willing to help if we could ever convince them to allow us to.

Would be good to take a gander and see what the Gen4’s look like.

But I can only do so much.

 

SoldierGuy mentions "a little film of oil", looking through the throttle body. That's open to interpretation, but on the face of it, sounds like the condition I observed sometime after Oil Catch Can install (on our third gen).

Prior to OCC install there was a "swimming pool", maybe a 1/16~1/8" of liguid, filling all the convolutions of the intake manifold's nadir.

IIRC maybe 1000 km's post OCC install, there was no pool, but there was a thin, oily film. I'm suspecting that's due to a slight spit-out of oil from the intake ports, and perhaps a residual amount of vapour sneaking through the OCC.

Anyway, this would bode good for fourth gen PCV circuit. OTOH, SoldierGuy might be a special case: he's running 100's of miles daily, so always well warmed up, lots of engine run time.

 

Here is the OCC after I drove 5460 miles. Not all the way up but more than half of the can. Next time after 2000 miles I am going to empty the can and will see how it looks.

 

Is that the Moroso 85474 Universal Air/Oil Separator? That's the one I have.

 

Slowly getting the parts i need.
But a question, anyone using OCC in cold? Any problems with freezing?
Been thinking that should i worry OCC lines getting frozen since very short PCV tube behind intake will extended far out to left headlight. Got to be sure that there is no down slopes on where water can cumulate.

OEM short PCV tube hugs in warm between crankcase and intake

 

I've heard mention of OCC content freezing, haven't looked too hard though....: You can be the guinea pig.

 

what is that elaborate OCC stand?

 

Well, you guys can put me on the list for the next OCC install.
Have had my 2011 for 3 trouble free years , in all kinds of weather . Purchased it with about 30,000 miles on the clock, and now its just about to creep over to 70,000. Prime time for the dreaded cold soak knocking syndrome, so I have read.
Mine started about 2 weeks ago. Very cold morning in the northeast , about 8 degree's F out. Went to start it that morning, and for the first time EVER , it started knocking like crazy. Dropped into reverse real quick, and the noise was a little better . Let it warm up for a minute or so, and the noise went away and it ran great . Fast forward a few days later , with temps hovering around 5-8 degrees F , and it did it again . (this one I may have been partially to blame , as I started it first thing in the Am to check it and it was fine. Stupidly, not thinking I shut it off about 2 minutes later. When I went to restart it and head out for the day, about 2 hours later ...............it started knocking again. )
Car has been inside the garage ever since, and I have been using my truck until I had time to get to it. Ordered a black non-vented Ruien style OCC that day , and just waiting for it to come in . Should be in today hopefully .

Going to pull the intake/throttle body and clean it out good . Pull the EGR cooler and pipe assy , and clean those good with Oxiclean and maybe some brake clean.
Also going to do an oil change, because its due.
Also, going to install some new spark plugs and air filter . (any advise on the best spark plugs for a gen3 ?)
Last thing on the list is to install the new OCC .

Will take some pictures of the amount of oil residue in the intake, the dirty EGR ,and the OCC install .
Going to mount the OCC right behind the drivers side headlight like danlatu's install. Kind of up in the air with a holder bracket for the OCC .
.........Wishing Danlatu would sell some of the updated 2 bolt OCC holder brackets to PriusChat members ....... hint,hint !
I will take one , just send me your paypal info !


BTW, thanks to danlatu for this fix , and the other PriusChat members who have lent there support !

Will report back on how I make out , with some pictures hopefully .

 

No. I used the ruien polish baffled can. It was cheaper. $35.99

 

Thanks danlatu , will hit you up for one when you get them ready. I will just hold it down with some zip-ties for now, lol .
Single hold down bolt style is probably better , would fit most all Prius gen 3's , with or without ground strap. Good Call.
Got my OCC today, will be installing it by the weekend hopefully . Luckily , I have a heated shop with a lift. Makes things ........easier.
Thanks again !

 

Just a quick question for anyone running the Ruien style OCC.
Mine came today and there is NO o-ring on the "dip-stick". I cant see anyway this will make a positive seal without an o-ring .
Does everyone else's "dip-stick" have an o-ring on it at the top groove ?

 

What holds the OCC in the hole, just close tolerance, friction?