Our 2015 Prius Four has just passed the 30K mark. Should I think about installing an Oil Catch Can, and if so is there a particular kind that is preferred?
You can it would be easy.. I wipe the pool of oil at butterfly valve with a paper towel and screw drive from time to time. At 50k miles i clean out the intake. Right doing on time maintence i sit at 120k. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
I put in a Moroso 85474 (Universal) Air-Oil Separator. For some cars they sell it with specific brackets and install instruction; the 85474 is basically the one for any and all. The only thing is you need to come up with some sort of mounting bracket on your own. It only comes with 3 foot, of SAE30-R7 spec fuel line hose, you'll likely need to buy more. Still it's relatively easy to get at automotive specialty stores, and not expensive. Be prepared for sticker shock with that can though; a lot of Priuschatters are going for much cheaper one, by Ruen?? This is THE oil catch can thread: Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | PriusChat
Do it! and read up on those links that @Mendel Leisk posted. I bought mine at 82k and had a blown headgasket at 140k. If I would have known about the certain services you should do that aren't necessarily "normal services" like cleaning out the EGR circuit.. Adding this will help eliminate a cold start knock you will eventually hear if you dont do. I bought the one that is in that thread.
Cold start knock puts extra stress on the headgasket. I never get the cold start knock as long as I empty the OCC
The Prime's EGR circuit is different from the Gen III motor. You should not get the clog and back up issues that our motors get. It was a Toyota change.
And you know this how? I understand the design change, but every egr system I’ve run across has clogging issues. Data is best, and I’d like to see the actual results from in service and 100k mile Plus situations . I’ll get there eventually, but until then, I’ll look at the catch can install .
I knew someone was going to ask me "and you now this how?". If you go to the thread where they discuss the engine rebuild and the differences between the Gen III and Gen 4, it goes over how one of the tubes has been redesigned higher on the Gen 4 block, therefore keeping oily air from clogging system. I don't remember the exact location here in Priuschat, but its here. I didn't make it up. Hope this is helpful. Not meaning to mislead anyone. All the data is in the thread regarding this.
The Oil Catch Can is a modification to the Positive Crankcase Ventilation system. It might, and likely does improve things for the EGR though. It basically catches air-borne crud between the PCV valve and intake manifold.
Without engineering experience or extensive test data proving it, there is no way to know ahead of time how effective the gen4 pre-cat will be at reducing particulate matter and for how long. Maybe the pre-cat is a wimpy device that craps out at 100k miles thus causing problems after the warranty? Wierder things have happened.