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M2 Technical Topics > S55 Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust / Bolt-ons / Tuning > Are oil catch cans worth installing?

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      02-10-2020, 01:48 PM   #23
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FWIW, here is the most useful relevant thread I found from the F80 forum:

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1363533

I expected to find a lot more information there. Definitely seems like a good idea for boosted S55s.
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Last edited by KevinM; 02-10-2020 at 10:53 PM..
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      02-13-2020, 01:44 PM   #24
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It is a good idea to install one on any direct injection motor, boosted or NA. The reason is the injectors are not spraying fuel on the intake valves in a direct injection motor. The fuel cleans/prevents the oil/carbon residue from building up on the valves.
The PVC system is necessary to vent the blow by pressure build up in the crankcase. In the old days they just vented it to the atmosphere, but emissions laws are different now, so they plumb it back into the intake. This worked for years and then the direct injected motor became popular. As miles were put on these motors, manufactures started having issues with carbon build up on the back of intake valves. This is why they are trying to filter/improve the PVC systems now.
Over time a direct injection engine will have carbon build up on the back of the intake valves and this will affect performance. Adding an OCC will help reduce this from happening.
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      02-13-2020, 02:22 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hlm2c View Post
Don't think there are any downsides and only possible upsides.. I've had one installed for 10k+ kms. During the break in period, it filled up a good amount (about half the can over 1000km) mostly consisting of condensation with some oil gunk, however after the break in period, I've been checking every 3k kms or so and it's either been bone dry, or small amounts of oil gunk splattered inside the catch can. So i'd agree with the statement that it can't hurt, but might help statement. I have the BMS one btw, only costs $200. Which in reality, is pretty cheap preventative maintenance for a $60k car.
One potential downside I experienced with a prior car (VW Golf R) is the freezing of the condensate in the lines and cannister. I parked in a hotel lot overnight while traveling and had problems since the PCV system froze.
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      02-13-2020, 02:28 PM   #26
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Originally Posted by Got f1? View Post
One potential downside I experienced with a prior car (VW Golf R) is the freezing of the condensate in the lines and cannister. I parked in a hotel lot overnight while traveling and had problems since the PCV system froze.
Was the OCC full? The standard PVC system would be subject to the same temperatures with the only difference being the actual can. I can see the fluid freezing in the can, but if it is not full/overfull I do not see how this would affect the PVC system performance. Just my 2 cents
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      02-13-2020, 02:39 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarg33 View Post
Was the OCC full? The standard PVC system would be subject to the same temperatures with the only difference being the actual can. I can see the fluid freezing in the can, but if it is not full/overfull I do not see how this would affect the PVC system performance. Just my 2 cents
What you're saying makes sense, however I had freezing in the lines maybe because they were a bit longer or traveled at different angle? Bottom line is I had to use a long extension cord and a blow dryer to resolve. My guess is that due to the accumulation of condensation, it is more susceptible to freezing where in the OEM, there is no accumulation, only droplets.
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      02-13-2020, 02:44 PM   #28
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I am not doubting you at all, just trying to figure out why. As you said maybe one of the lines was at a bad angle that caused the condensation to pool up. That makes sense to me. At least it was a cheap fix. lol
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      02-13-2020, 02:53 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisK View Post
Steel wool also rusts. You don't want that in your engine either.

I'll try the BMS. The Turner has a useless dipstick.
Steel wool is a no-go, but a stainless steel scrubber won't rust, and has MUCH larger "spools" of material, so it won't get sucked up through the system. I made some catch cans for my old car and friends cars, and used the stuff below. Worked great, caught TONS of gunk, no rust (since it's true stainless), and plenty of surface area for oil and condensation to cling onto.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Btite-.../dp/B005T3VYAS
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      02-13-2020, 03:03 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Conissah View Post
Steel wool is a no-go, but a stainless steel scrubber won't rust, and has MUCH larger "spools" of material, so it won't get sucked up through the system. I made some catch cans for my old car and friends cars, and used the stuff below. Worked great, caught TONS of gunk, no rust (since it's true stainless), and plenty of surface area for oil and condensation to cling onto.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Btite-.../dp/B005T3VYAS
Wouldn't copper sink scrubbiers work as well?
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      02-13-2020, 03:09 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybigjet View Post
Wouldn't copper sink scrubbiers work as well?
Unsure as I know that copper CAN oxidize. Don't know much about those, but I don't really see why they wouldn't work. I would leave one wet / in water for a while and see if it turns green.
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      02-13-2020, 03:22 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Conissah View Post
Steel wool is a no-go, but a stainless steel scrubber won't rust, and has MUCH larger "spools" of material, so it won't get sucked up through the system. I made some catch cans for my old car and friends cars, and used the stuff below. Worked great, caught TONS of gunk, no rust (since it's true stainless), and plenty of surface area for oil and condensation to cling onto.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Btite-.../dp/B005T3VYAS
I plan on installing my OCC this weekend. I will look for these at Walmart.
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      02-13-2020, 06:53 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Conissah View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisK View Post
Steel wool also rusts. You don't want that in your engine either.

I'll try the BMS. The Turner has a useless dipstick.
Steel wool is a no-go, but a stainless steel scrubber won't rust, and has MUCH larger "spools" of material, so it won't get sucked up through the system. I made some catch cans for my old car and friends cars, and used the stuff below. Worked great, caught TONS of gunk, no rust (since it's true stainless), and plenty of surface area for oil and condensation to cling onto.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Btite-.../dp/B005T3VYAS
I'm not going to stick any materials in the OCC that could get back into the engine.

Whatever I catch will be an improvement.
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      02-13-2020, 07:06 PM   #34
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I ordered the BMC one today on the "ounce of prevention/pound of cure" theory as I intend to pretty much be buried in my car.

R.
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      02-13-2020, 08:19 PM   #35
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So I'm completely ignorant here. What does the oil catch can do and why do I need one?
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      02-14-2020, 04:52 AM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aeroglava View Post
So I'm completely ignorant here. What does the oil catch can do and why do I need one?
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...tch-can-works/
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      02-14-2020, 10:14 AM   #37
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I read tons of threads on catch cans. The conclusion I came to was that they are beneficial for many cars, especially modded turbos. Apparently the S55 benefits less from a catch can than many other engines but what the hell it won't hurt the engine unless you forget to empty it or it somehow gets plugged up.
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      02-14-2020, 10:17 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlpsRider View Post
I read tons of threads on catch cans. The conclusion I came to was that they are beneficial for many cars, especially modded turbos. Apparently the S55 benefits less from a catch can than many other engines but what the hell it won't hurt the engine unless you forget to empty it or it somehow gets plugged up.
And this is EXACTLY why they don't offer it from the factory. Too much liability if the consumer forgets to empty it, and it is literally sucking up oil.
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      02-14-2020, 12:18 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Conissah View Post
And this is EXACTLY why they don't offer it from the factory. Too much liability if the consumer forgets to empty it, and it is literally sucking up oil.
Seems pretty simple to me-- do oil change, empty catch can.

It's not like you'll forget.

R.
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      02-14-2020, 12:20 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybigjet View Post
Seems pretty simple to me-- do oil change, empty catch can.

It's not like you'll forget.

R.
Yep, this is what I've done on my previous cars. My oil thristy VQ usually had about 1/2 the CC full of straight oil at a 3k oil change...
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      02-14-2020, 12:37 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Conissah View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlpsRider View Post
I read tons of threads on catch cans. The conclusion I came to was that they are beneficial for many cars, especially modded turbos. Apparently the S55 benefits less from a catch can than many other engines but what the hell it won't hurt the engine unless you forget to empty it or it somehow gets plugged up.
And this is EXACTLY why they don't offer it from the factory. Too much liability if the consumer forgets to empty it, and it is literally sucking up oil.
The engine was already sucking it up.

I see no downside to this.
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      02-14-2020, 01:56 PM   #42
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I don't think it's a downside, but sipping and gulping are two different things.
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      02-14-2020, 02:17 PM   #43
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Some manufactures starting making hybrid engines that are both direct injection, but also have port injection to get around carbon build up. What's interesting with the new S58 engine is they properly designed it to filter the oil from blow by gasses and also recirculate the oil back into the oil pan. None of the B58 engines however have this improved design.
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      03-01-2020, 03:59 PM   #44
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I have the BMS Oil Catch Can

Installed @ 1250 miles (immediately after the break-in service)

Just checked the can @ 3500 miles

So 2250 miles (including 4 track days)

Not a single drop

Any thoughts?
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