Catch can on GM Ecotec PCV clean side? Don't waste your money! Chevy Equinox 2.4L PCV Malibu Cobalt

[@wmuchmore]

I have a 2013 gmc terrain. The catch can saved me so much in money and headaches. My engine stays cleaner.... During winter time you need to empty the can more often , so it does not freeze.

[@brianbacich9999]

This video is saving me hours of troubleshooting. Thanks for posting. I’ll be cleaning my pcv valve now. This really makes sense. I used to have to do this on my Honda odyssey. The Honda was easy because the valve was external and could be easily removed.

[@350Zquicksilver]

I'm keeping my OCC in place as a backup to the vented cap. Also he is correct on removing the intake plenum, there is a way, I chose to remove the starter. Once out of the way you can remove the intake, combination of positions, without removing the other parts like fuel pump.

[@OConnorTnP1]

Great video! Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@tssci6774]

I disagree, they are beneficial in many ways. Remives moisture, removes GDI Soot and fuel and prevents oil mist from entering the engine and contaminate the valves. This PCV system flows in both directions. Under higher engine load, low rpm, the intake draws vapors from the crankcase through the tube into the stock reservoir. It is a basic catch can. But as many have seen it does not hold much, and freezes. I have been testing this PCV system for the past 4 years. Even with new pistons, rings, and clear pcv orifice, the winter months will still collect the emulsified oil and water, as well as soot and fuel. It occurs most often during cold, wet, highway driving, because the crankcase vacuum is very low or positive pressure. Using an external catch can only helps. Summer months there is little build up. I see you published this last fall, not after very cold months.

[@HandyDoctor89]

This was after 2 years of catching though. Been through 2 north Ohio winters actually.

[@tssci6774]

@Handy Doctor during the hot Ohio summers the moisture will evaporate off and leave only the oil residue. Your experience is not typical, I wish it was as simple as you describe, for 95% of owners benefit from a high quality separator.

[@HandyDoctor89]

​@@tssci6774 not to disrespect, but you probably didn't realize that I said I checked the catch can dipstick every month and it never registered anything in the video. Now it's still winter in Ohio, I took the can out just now and it's still nothing. So that proves my point, when the orifice is clear, it collects nothing. Sure, lots of people collect quite some because their orifices are partially or completely clogged. This was the second point I said in the video. It's even more dangerous than oem setup in this case. In cold winter, that full can of water and the tubes filled with water can freeze completely, now the backup path is gone and the rear main seal is gone soon. With the oem setup, the oil/water separator at least sits on top, it won't block the backup path as easily. So the catch can does more harm if the orifice is clogged and helps nothing if the orifice is clear.

[@michaelwells203]

You both have good points. 1. The PCV system flows in both directions. 2. The intake office needs to be cleaned. 3. If you don't monitor the can closely in the winter, it will freeze and damage engine. The main benefit of a catch can is reducing carbon buildup on intake valves. A foam sleeve over the PCV hose can insulate from freezing air currents. Other automakers do that, but GM loves planned obsolescence instead.

[@tssci6774]

@michaelwells203 replace hard plastic tube with rubber hose. Insulates, and removes that downward slope towards reservoir. Get a AC Delco FC-219 vented oil cap to help protect from over pressure. It takes years to clog up orifice with carbon, but upper fresh air hose can fill with moisture in only a few weeks. Requires both orifice and hose to become blocked, to create high pressures. Testing of orifice only takes seconds. Should done at each oil change.

[@lgoamity]

Bought the FC-219 Vented Oil Cap as Preventative Maintenance for this issue. Was considering a Catch Can but I suppose I'll leave option for last... Others mention replacing fhe Hard Plastic Hose with a more flexible rubber hose. Not exactly sure what that'll do... Apparently the "U" type bend in the ridge plastic hose promotes clogging? Anyone able to clarify? Seems like an "easy" fix that doesn't seem to have any draw back?

[@patrickzabron3622]

I bought the vented cap just like you, also drilled the hole into the intake so it’s easy to clean that PCV hole and then put a screw in (videos on this all over KZbin) Today I just received my catch can, I believe it’ll be beneficial, I also wanted to change out that hose but no longer need to because the catch can replaces it.

[@lgoamity]

@@patrickzabron3622 Did/Are you seeing a lot of Buildup/Blockage in the PCV system/hole? Did you remove the cover to drill the hole or drill the hole "blind" (knowing where the PCV hole is supposed to be)? Going to be replacing my Spark Plugs soon so I suppose a Catch Can wouldn't be a huge undertaking to do at the same time. Planning to do shorter intervals (3,000 miles/3-6 months) since my last/first Oil Sample Analysis for my Terrain showed excessive Fuel Dilution (@ 3000 miles/8 months)... Hopefully that will reduce the chances of my Oil Breaking down/Sludging up in the PCV system... But having another way to Monitor conditions is probably a good thing

[@patrickzabron3622]

@@lgoamityso I give a little more info as to what I did and what condition my car was in. 2014 gmc terrain awd 2.4l 137,000kms and owned by someone who knows very little about vehicle maintenance. Replaced air filter in engine area Did oil change it was soooo black and the oil filter was collapsed… Realized some moisture under the oil fill cap so I ordered the new one (A.C Delco with vent) Cabin air filter was so dirty I believe it was never changed in its lifetime. I could see carbon buildup in crankcase but no sludge, just a little burnt and buildup. Motor sounds great and no timing chain rattle. Previous owner expressed concern over the oil consumption, at first I thought head gasket but then realized it wasn’t but that it was consuming/burning it. Doesn’t smoke out the back either and care is in overall extremely good shape. I drilled the hole with intake on and videos show the vicinity of where to drill and put grease on the drill bit (works slick) using haywire I was able to clean out the port and it was clogged but easy to clean through the drilled hole. I’ll be doing my spark plugs and the ignition coils next to give it a fresh tune and install catch can as I noticed when pulling of the PCV plastic that there was moisture in it meaning the crankcase was recirculating poor air back into the system. I think the catch can will be nice to help filter the air better and hoping to see less moisture under my oil fill cap. Also I monitor my oil consumption and noticed after 750kms I needed to add 1/2 a litre of oil to the car. I keep a strict log book/maintenance log. If I have to add 1/2 a liter of oil every 750kms I will probably keep a 1L in my trunk or maybe switch to a little heavier oil. Going to wait till my next oil change. Also curious about the oil filter whether it’ll be collapsed, If it is iam going to buy the best in the business and not cheap out. Best to luck with your car Pat

[@patrickzabron3622]

@@lgoamityI just bought the car but previous owner knew nothing about mechanics, he added oil every now and then. Surprised it sounded as nice as it does.

[@lgoamity]

@@patrickzabron3622 By "Collapsed" do you mean more like "twisted" and/or torn? My 2003 ION (4 Cyl Ecotec) used the same Filter. I've often seen it "twisted". I usually use the AC Delco 457G. Sometimes worse then others. Been reading that the Fram Ultra Synthetic XG9018 with metal mesh reinforcing the Filter Media has held up well (Picked one up for my next Oil Change)... Looking forward to trying it out. I've avoid Fram (Specifically the CH9018) since Saturn/GM switched from an earlier "Zig Zag" Filter (Heavier Pleat with a "Z" pattern vs straight seemed to hold its shape very well)... Was looking for aftermarket options at the time and the CH9018 looked extremely cheaply made (But expensive $8 - US 2004) and weak/limited and thin pleats. So kept with the Straight Pleat Saturn/GM 457g ($5 from the Dealer for quite a while

[@micahhawkes4001]

Interesting. So many people recommend the oil can, and I was about to buy one before I saw this. How often do you need to clean that pcv port?

[@HandyDoctor89]

First clean after owning the car for 7 years since new.

[@danielaaron2757]

So you pretty much answerd all my questions.i have 12’equinox2.4 aswell so before you cleaned the hole you were experiencing what i have.i just checked my can after a week and it was deff full.after seeing this after watching alot of other videos you explained it well im going to have to check mine this week and see if its clogged because it filling up fast

[@chrish7336]

@@danielaaron2757 The benefit of the can is that it will help prevent that oil from getting into the air intake via the air box, and provides a visual indicator to when you may need to be pulling the intake to clean the PCV system. Initial install of the catch can is to check after a week, and then empty it as needed every oil change. IF it is filling up before that you need to clean the PCV system.

[@patrickzabron3622]

So the catch can does serve a good purpose. It shows you when that hole in behind the intake is plugged…. Great tell tale tool.

[@HandyDoctor89]

Sure...but if you forget to check and it's full and cold, the engine is gone...even easier than stock. I don't see that as a good purpose. Award/risk ratio too low.

[@brycethree3]

Hello, just watched the video regarding on how to check if your pcv system is working. When I put the paper on it is blowing out air instead of making a vacuum. Is there a cleaning of the system I should do? In that video you had mentioned that there was going to be more videos about it but i don’t see them. Any advise on what to do? How did you manage to fix the problem of the blowing out smoke as in that video

[@HandyDoctor89]

Who car do you have? If it's an ecotec engine like equinox 2.4L, you should clean it asap. Other cars? Probably so too.

[@brycethree3]

@@HandyDoctor89 yes it is a 2011 equinox 2.4L ecotec engine. No smoke coming out like you had but starting to get a drop in RPM/rough idle when stopped when the car is in drive or reverse (normal idle with no problems when in neutral or park)

[@HandyDoctor89]

@@brycethree3 you definitely should do it asap. I unfortunately didn't take video when I did mine. There are quite some videos on KZbin though. If you run into issues, I can help you with messages. If you haven't, please subscribe. Thank you.

[@goatfilms1424]

@@darwinchapmam6343 I was having the same issues and I change my oil cap to the GM FC219 and now it’s seems to be working great. Car is idling better and no build up of pressure in the engine block

[@tssci6774]

I disagree, they are beneficial in many ways. Remives moisture, removes GDI Soot and fuel and prevents oil mist from entering the engine and contaminate the valves. This PCV system flows in both directions. Under higher engine load, low rpm, the intake draws vapors from the crankcase through the tube into the stock reservoir. It is a basic catch can. But as many have seen it does not hold much, and freezes. I have been testing this PCV system for the past 4 years. Even with new pistons, rings, and clear pcv orifice, the winter months will still collect the emulsified oil and water, as well as soot and fuel. It occurs most often during cold, wet, highway driving, because the crankcase vacuum is very low or positive pressure. Using an external catch can only helps. Summer months there is little build up. I see you published this last fall, not after very cold months.

[@ericjacobsen1569]

Drilled hole at the bottom of air box to let water drain, adding vented oil cap and cleaning pcv orfice soon. 87k miles 17 equinox. Won't be doing a catch can after this video. Thanks

[@HandyDoctor89]

Good choice. Thank you.

[@tssci6774]

Don't drill a hole in the air box. Unmetered air will cause more problems.

[@ericjacobsen1569]

@@tssci6774 I'm sure it will but when you see what is leaking out from the hole it's worth the risk.

[@tssci6774]

@Eric Jacobsen I installed a brass elbow and hose on bottom of the reservoir to drain the fluid easily. You can also replace the plastic tube with hose so it will drain back to the camshaft cover. It has bad angle that traps fluid in the air box reservior.

[@jimandnancymcoil]

@@tssci6774 Hey TS, at 80K, I installed a K&N Intake Kit, a $12.- air/oil separator, from Home Depot, & a FC 219 vented oil full cap from a new Vet, now have 108K? I won't be driving to DisneyWorld from Boston anymore, don't trust GM anymore?

[@fredmauck6934]

I also disagree with your opinion. The "Clean Air side" pushes oily air towards the Air Cleaner housing when crankcase blowby exceeds the volume of the PVC orifice. Catching that oil.saves you from the damaging effects of the oil collecting on the Intake valves.

[@RobinIntell]

What brand/type can do you prefer?

[@timmyturner999_]

I was thinking of doing this to my buick verano but ig the ac delco fc-219 cap is just going to have to cut it

[@allove4288]

Not the right fix

[@allove4288]

Suggestion would be to take intake off and clean the PCV hole if you are mechanically inclined to save yourself money