Do You Need an Oil Catch Can? How They Work and How to Fit One
The Partsman
An oil catch can is one of the cheapest bits of insurance you can fit. Here is what it does and whether your car needs one.
What does a catch can do?
Your engine's crankcase breathes oily, blow-by vapour. Standard PCV systems feed that vapour back into the intake, where it coats your inlet tract and (on direct-injection engines) bakes onto the valves. A catch can sits in that line and traps the oil mist before it reaches the intake.
Who benefits most?
- Turbo and supercharged engines (more blow-by under boost)
- Direct-injection engines prone to carbon build-up
- Track cars pulling high RPM and g-forces
Baffled vs basic
A baffled catch can separates oil from air far better than an empty can - look for internal baffling or filter media. A good can also has a drain or is easy to empty.
Plumbing it in
In simple terms, run the line from the rocker cover/PCV into the can's inlet, then from the can's outlet back to the intake (or to atmosphere via a breather on race setups). Use quality AN fittings and oil-rated hose, and mount the can where it is easy to drain.
Browse oil catch cans & oil system parts or call The Partsman on 07 846 1923 for the right setup for your engine.
