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The easy way to empty your catch Can

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GustoGuy, Jun 19, 2021.

  1. GustoGuy

    GustoGuy Member

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    After getting a JDM engine last fall I have been emptying my catch can at every oil change. It was getting old having to remove the catch can and unscrew the top cap and dump it out. The contents have always been liquid so I thought about getting a syringe to do it and with some searching I found a Motorcycle fork oil tool. It was only $15 dollars and saves me an easy 15 minutes of removing and dumping the can and re-installing it again. I simply remove the catch can dipstick insert the tube and draw up the fluid into the syringe. No catch can to remove. I noticed during the winter my catch can was fuller due to water vapor condensation. I like how I can easily draw out what is caught in the can anytime I want too without having to remove unscrew and dump the can.
     
    #1 GustoGuy, Jun 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
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  2. GustoGuy

    GustoGuy Member

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    20210618_230434_resized.jpg
     

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    #2 GustoGuy, Jun 19, 2021
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    OCC’s with a bottom spigot are handy in this regard. That said, a hypodermic IS handy sometimes; drawing out brake fluid from the brake fluid reservoir is another app.

    At the risk of pulling a Paul Hogan, I recently shelled out for one of these, works well. Both as a vacuum pump and for dispensing. Well made, about 350~400 cc capacity. See it ended being around $60 CDN, but I’m sure more reasonable in the States.

    2C4828A3-0EF3-4715-BC1E-6650EFA77CF7.jpeg EEBD3C81-84BB-4F63-9F14-C0C458B6F142.jpeg
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jun 19, 2021
  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    #4 Raytheeagle, Jun 19, 2021
  5. GustoGuy

    GustoGuy Member

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    The added benefit of the Motorcycle fork tool is it has a steel wand rather than plastic which could deform with use from heat and chemicals. Plus only $15 made it a no brainer for getting it. Beats removing the can and unscrewing the top which takes 10 to15 minutes.
     
    #5 GustoGuy, Jun 19, 2021
  6. GustoGuy

    GustoGuy Member

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    Do you have a hose on the bottom valve? Is it easy to acess?. I felt this beats removing the can to pour it out as to wrecking the threads on the dipstick. I only do it at each oil change so it will take years possibly decades for the threads to be damaged. Plus I do it by hand and it screws out smoothly so I doubt I am wrecking it.
     
    #6 GustoGuy, Jun 19, 2021
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Bottom drain for me is handy, since my OCC’s are mounted low. I take off the engine bay under-shield during oil changes and they’re right there. Yeah depends on your setup.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jun 19, 2021
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Nope;):

    BE513816-2E4D-4FA3-A8A5-E1A4B7C4F41D.jpeg FD40D2A7-9B8E-4DAF-B48D-08C7B71F8D43.jpeg

    I thought it would take awhile for the threads on the dipstick to strip, but it only took two years:cool:.

    On the Gen4 / Prime the only real option is to mount the catch can high, given the redesign of the front where the cross member isn't located below the PCV valve and is much further back:(.

    But if you mount high, draining is easy(y).
     
    #8 Raytheeagle, Jun 19, 2021
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    There's gotta be a way...
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Jun 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Take a look at the engine bay photos here ;):

    Oil Catch Can | PriusChat

    It is cramped in there:cool:.
     
    #10 Raytheeagle, Jun 19, 2021
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Don't think there IS a blanking plate; deleted that mention.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Jun 19, 2021
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  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I didn't remember seeing one when I had the intake off;).

    But I wasn't going to question the resident librarian(y).
     
    #12 Raytheeagle, Jun 19, 2021
  13. GustoGuy

    GustoGuy Member

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    What brand oil catch can did you use? I have an Evil energy catch can. Seems to be well made. Why would a manufacturer put in a dipstick if by using it wrecks the threads. The dipstick has a knurled nob and I only remove it by hand no tools.
     
    #13 GustoGuy, Jun 19, 2021
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Current one is a Tasan Racing catch can and it works well:).

    Previous one with a stripped dipstick was a Ruien catch can;).

    I only removed it with my fingers, but doing that many times had effects in the opening:whistle:.

    The original catch can I put on our Prime had a top threaded opening for a breather vent:cool:.

    When I tried to get ahold of Sporacing who makes the can they said: couldn't be ours as we don't make that:confused:.

    I learned something and gave very negative feedback on them(y).
     
    #14 Raytheeagle, Jun 20, 2021
  15. GustoGuy

    GustoGuy Member

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    Changed my oil tonight. I removed just under 25 ml of oil from my catch can. I really like the motorcycle fork oil tool since I don't need to remove the can. I just draw it up from the dipstick port.
     
    #15 GustoGuy, Sep 15, 2021
  16. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I use thread lock/seal with PTFE to seal the threads on my dipstick threads, so hopefully, they'll serve as a lubricant to help stave off thread wear.

    But so far I have only unscrewed the dipstick a few times to put an o-ring on it and to install it.

    That syringe and long cannula look promising. Maybe I'll try to rig something up. I work in the laboratory so I have access to syringes.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #16 xliderider, Sep 15, 2021
  17. Paul E. Highway

    Paul E. Highway Active Member

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    I find it simple enough to loosen the Moroso bracket holding my OCC to the frame below the air box and twisting the can a few times til it drops and I can empty it and twist it back on! Do it same time as oil change, easy peasy…
     
    #17 Paul E. Highway, Sep 15, 2021
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  18. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Found this at half the price, doesn't have flexible tubing between syringe and cannula though:

    30ml Syringe with Long Tip-14Ga x 7”- Blunt Tip and Luer Lock, Great for Measuring and Refilling


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #18 xliderider, Sep 15, 2021
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I got one of these a while back, through Amazon, shipped from the States, It's quite big, capacity about 350 cc. Besides drawing up or dispensing fluid, it's pretty good vacuum source too:

    upload_2021-9-15_7-23-3.png
     
    #19 Mendel Leisk, Sep 15, 2021
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