How a PCV System Works - Catch Can Necessity and Why It Does What It Does - 4.6L 2v Engine

[@bobimbordino3024]

A little history lesson, the pcv system was designed for tanks in WW2 so they can be used for water crossings so they didn’t flood the engine. Then the epa started there stuff in the 70s so eventually regular vehicles would use the pcv system.

[@johnbaran577]

Happy New Year Patriots!

[@kerrylewis2581]

I just purchased a 2016 F150 with a 5.0 with a great service history. Thanks to you, I began my search over a year ago and finally found the unicorn I was looking for at a fair price.

[@merrillschaps2325]

I had a 1958 Plymouth with a road draft tube and I really think the whole PCV valve and closed ventilation system was a great invention and a huge positive for emissions. 1968 was the required law for these systems to become standard on all engines. My 2017 Camry with the 2.5 actually has a built in catch can built into its PCV system. They call it a crankcase cover like our 2009 Ford Focus with the 2.0. Happy New! God bless!

[@mikeolson2762]

Happy New Year Bossman

[@brokenwrench404]

Suck, squeeze, bang blow (intake, compression, ignition and exhaust) is the easiest way to remember the 4 stages of a 4 cycle engine.

[@alltruckfleet]

That's right!... out onto the road. I remember that after each rainfall when it hadn't rained in a while, the roads were very slippery

[@MikeKrause-s5c]

In 1967 I had a 1960 Ford Falcon station wagon the smoke just poured out of valve cover. I fashioned a connector that attached to the valve cover and ran a hose from there to another connector that I attached to a connector I put in the top of the air cleaner. No more smoke everywhere, I don't know if it was right or not but it ran fine and I didn't have that embarrassing smoke anymore so for me it was a win.

[@mdob5724]

Thanks for video and validating value of catch can. I installed one several years ago in my 2003 F150 4.6L. I probably empty approx 4 oz oil every 1500 miles driving. I just subscribed to your channel.

[@tedlahm5740]

The CLEAN air tube was of interest to me. (new information) thank you.

[@Dave.76]

Sorry to hear the family are sick , take care get well soon . Cheers👍

[@windycityben4850]

Pretty cool, I see those catch cans a lot on direct injection. I’ve been pretty impressed by those 4.6’s. The police fleet I work for are still rocking a few Crown Vic’s with well over 200K miles with original engine.

[@u.p.tinkering]

Great explanation of the PCV system Rich. I need to get me a catch can on my old Dodge if my son ever returns it. They have two of my vehicles now, leaving me stuck without transpo until the wife is around. 🤣 LOL

[@boomhauer1234]

Thanks for the video, I asked about this on your FB page and found an old video that you done a while back on the same subject. I will be installing a catch can on my 1.5L Fusion

[@chrishayden7016]

Folks of a certain age will remember on uphill grades the darker road surface in the center of the lane that happened when the engine was working harder. This was very bad for the unwary motorcyclist when a light rain happened. Like ice!

[@davestewart9146]

Excellent explanation Rich 😁👍

[@jeffd3844]

I always wondered why there was more oil on the roads decades ago. I figured it was due to more leaky drivetrains. When riding a motorcycle, it always seemed wise to stay in the tire tracks, because the middle of every lane had more oil in it.

[@lorenray9479]

Great explanation. 2000 f250 easy check and clean and reinstall 2018? Where is it? 33,500 miles. All tubing very clean.

[@Focus1094ST]

I have a 2018 Ford Focus 2.0l non ecoboost. Here lately my mpg has dropped by 10-15. There are no other symptoms i can detect to try and link something together. My local ford dealer is absolutely terrible. Plus i want to diy anyway. A lot of the cars components are new. Had close to $30,000 of warranty repairs done. Which include engine swap /intake and exhaust gasket replaced, trans work, apim replacement, entire cooling system radiator/ hoses/flush, and ive recently replaced engine and cabin filter. Oil change is a few hundred miles away. Ive kept up on all maintenance. Sorry for the dang book of a message. To wrap up my mpg has plummeted but i cant detect anything else. Thank you

[@johnblack31c]

I have a 2006 f150 it has the 4.6 in it. I love it.

[@FordBossMe]

Best engine

[@odinporter8011]

​@@FordBossMe Isnt that award given to the 300 I6? Both good morors but 300 is un killable.

[@BigJohnson1566]

I placed a J&L oil separator on my 2021 Ford f250 last year, I was surprised at how much oil was being sent back into my engine into the fuel system, every 3000 miles it is full. I just choose J&L and it’s very nice quality, I’m not paid by them so choose what you want.

[@carrsllccarrillo6507]

Great input as always Rich. I just may have to do this on my s10 that has over 200k. The ol replacement 4.3L engine that has over 180k, I'm sure is starting to generate some blow by. Happy new year and as always keep up the great work on your vids!

[@FordBossMe]

Happy New Year

[@dwightmitchell1464]

A catch can would probably help with catalytic converter issues down the road as well...?

[@FordBossMe]

Possibly yes but mainly it helps keep the valves clean

[@louiscardinale1701]

HAPPY NEW YEAR RICH, and subscribers.

[@michaelbrennan7148]

Thank you Rich. 🇺🇸

[@randallmunson9909]

Happy New Year Ford Boss !

[@mlieser1230]

Happy New Year Rich!

[@ronaldcumpsty5605]

I fitted two of these on my 2012 F150 3.5. Eco boost. The passenger side does catch quite a bit but the drivers side hardly anything. I mounted mine up at the front just behind the grill and they are super easy to check out and empty.

[@FordBossMe]

Yep that's normal

[@Batlizard74]

I put a can on my 2.7L eco boost. For some reason my friend who is a Svc Mgr for Ford keeps saying I’m asking for trouble by adding the catch can. I keep asking to explain why, but never get a great answer. I’ve read it may not help my engine, but can’t see how it could hurt. It catches that nasty oil before it goes back into my cylinder. Or that’s what I think it does.

[@firstlast---]

Shop managers have no idea how anything works unless they used to be a wrench

[@FordBossMe]

Well he maybe is telling you that if it collects too much moisture and oil and you don't service it properly it could freeze up or you could suck in a bunch of raw oil into the intake if you don't service it

[@FordBossMe]

Other than that he doesn't sound like he knows what he's talking about

[@zaffo757]

Main benefit is to keep oil out of the catalytic converter on cars with Port.

[@FordBossMe]

No the main benefit that I would explain to people is keeping that combustion as clean as possible and the secondary effect would be catalytic converter

[@francodeiuliis1562]

Would a catch can void a factory warranty on a 22 f150 ? Thank you for your time happy new year Cheers from Nova Scotia

[@GuretoSefirosu]

I understand this and how the catch-can works. My question would be, is it possible to route the "captured" oil mist/droplets/whatever to the crank so it can be used if good or captured by the engine oil filter? My only dislike with a catch-can setup is another filter to remember. Not a big deal, but it's a shame we can't do more with the captured oil. Might just be crazy, and the catch-can setup can prolong engine life and improve performance, but it still means that oil meant for lube is not lubing things. Maybe I'm over-thinking it. Hope your new year is going well!

[@FordBossMe]

I mean essentially they do already do have systems like that look at the 1.5 L EcoBoost it has the PCV built into the oil separator and it still pumps a ton of oil up into the intake manifold And that oil Vapor that's being trapped if you smell it it smells like it's super contaminated with fuel so I don't know that I would want that going back down into my oil

[@GuretoSefirosu]

@@FordBossMe I did not know that. Maybe that is why the oil-separator on my 525i is so over-engineered. Thanks for the info! I agree, fuel-dilution in oil is bad and it probably is best to toss the mess (recycle it).

[@JSFGuy]

🙋🏻 Yep, had the valve screw up my vacuum and MPG on my Thunderbird SC, I believe the restrictive spring inside was weak and just let it go wide open, surprised I found it, replaced and things improved.

[@jedidiahbirchard6977]

Thanks for the video. I’ve been kicking around the idea of a PCV delete of sorts. The idea is to modify the valve by removing the spring and ball so it’s open full time, run the hose to a vented catch can and cap off the intake vacuum. My concern is I don’t know if the lack of vacuum to the crank case will allow for enough scavenging of positive pressure to prevent from blowing oil seals and sludging up the oil excessively. I would love your feed back on this idea.

[@rshettle123]

You want to keep the crankcase ventilated. Filtered air enters on the opposite side while contaminants from blowby get sucked out and reburned. It also strives to keep the crankcase at a negative pressure. That will prevent leaks. Without the flow through ventilation, the oil will get dirtier much faster. Think about that.

[@rshettle123]

Removing the spring may allow too much flow. Realize, the PCV valve is variable. At idle, too much air may flow through and act like an intake air leak. At higher RPMs, the valve will be fully open, which will not disturb the air fuel ratio. You may find it difficult to start. The spring works from the degree of suction produced by the manifold, closing off the valve but not completely. The valve can become closed. The best thing to do is replace it periodically but don't modify its design. Turbo charged engines have the most to worry about when it comes to leaks due to greater blow-by with not enough ventilation and positive pressure builds when excellaration is most excessive.

[@gnosticnight]

Don't try this in Crazy California or you'll fail the visual part of the smog check. They consider such mods "tampering." Many years ago when I had a smog license, I had to fail a SAAB with an aftermarket FI system because it wasn't CARB approved. The emissions were much cleaner than the stock carburetor setup. The owner went to the state referee, who officially failed the car for tampering.

[@brokenwrench404]

They’ve relaxed on some modifications. I’ll ask. We use to fail throttle body spacers and aftermarket throttle bodies. Now those have carb eo numbers after they found out they didn’t increase emissions

[@zaffo757]

I’ve added to 4 cars recently and none failed in SoCal.

[@gnosticnight]

@@zaffo757 That is good. Maybe the tech didn't see them or they are CARB approved by now. I quit doing smog around 2000. The BAR was always sending test cars even though my shop had no violations. I talked an agent into a verbal warning after I did the 25 mph test in second gear on a stick. He was ready to bust me.

[@gnosticnight]

@@brokenwrench404 Despite their virtue signaling, CARB will usually cooperate if a mfg. will fund their tests of a given aftermarket device. But many mfgs. don't want to invest the time and money, especially with most of the old-time Socal speed shops long gone (at least down here in Dago).

[@brokenwrench404]

@@gnosticnight the dyno was fun 🤣 did you miss the gas cap tester if you stopped doing them in 00? That stupid thing was a pain with its adapters. Now it’s just a sniffer, obdII and a quick visual. I was lucky since I was a govt fleet tech. We had a annual bar inspection l/calibration but they never messed with us. Would of been hard for them to sneak a car into the fleet. Heard some crazy stories about how they trapped some shops and techs

[@00taohio85]

Got one on my 2015 Silverado it is full a lot with oily water empty at least once a month crazy.

[@kyletuttle9064]

Great explanation.thanks for sharing

[@brokenwrench404]

Do you have a part number or link for that Forman kit? Thanks

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

I'd imagine Positive Crankcase Ventilation would be better than a crankcase vent tube, or road draft tube. Mainly because of emission of course, but also removing moisture and other contaminants more efficiently. I guess in racing applications the air fuel mix would be easier to control without it. Maybe that's why some equate it to a performance gain if removed?

[@rockyourworld5374]

The PCV also takes the vapor or smoke from the hot oil in the sump and burns it to prevent it igniting in the crank case. If combustion gases are burning and doing work pushing the piston down. And when you take the exhaust manifold off when running you see flames, showing the gases are still doing workon the exhaust stroke. Wouldn't it be that the gases are ejecting themselves? The gases did work to move the piston in the first place, so the piston is not pushing the gases.

[@farmerthatflies]

I think he’s catching the blow-by fumes

[@Blue-moon12]

I have a 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro 4x with direct injection. I have a catch can installed. Why do manufacturers not have them as standard?

[@shayferguson4722]

Hey rich,love the video and thank you for the information buddy. My question would be,would you recommend installation of an oil catch can on my high mileage 2002 chevy avalanche 1500 with a 5.3 vortec? It has about 250,000 miles on it now,still runs great and definitely has regular oil changes at around 3,000 miles with royal purple hps 5w30. It's an everyday driver and I want to keep it lasting for a long time.

[@jamesgetz8945]

Really like your shows, would putting on a catch can help even if I change the oil before 55%? Just wondering if it's worth doing

[@FordBossMe]

Yes it will

[@alltruckfleet]

Do you think the 2022 3.5 Eco boost really needs one ?

[@chrisphillips4997]

I have a 3.7l f150 i was thinking about putting a catch can from a 3.7l mustang direct plug and play. It looks like the same connections. Just wondering if you think it would work or not. Thanks

[@Motorsportsgeek]

Have you ever measured the crankcase pressures? I've had some forced induction cars and dry sump engines lose too much vacuum with the increased volume of the catch can and the pcv was not able to do its job correctly. I had to use reducer fittings to increase vacuum and make the pcv work properly

[@FordBossMe]

I've not had a reason to do that but definitely good food for thought

[@binksters_dad]

i just got a 23 Explorer St last month and am torn on putting a catch can on it or which one to put on it. My question is this. If i put a catch can on, should i do standard or dual valve? Dual valve is a couple hundred bucks more and has the clean side separator. I'm looking at UPR. I don't drive the thing hard just plan on some spirited driving here and there. Shes just turned 1000 miles so im going to do her oil change and am on the fence about a catch can and which type to get. i want this thing to stay as healthy as she can for as long as she can. Her oil will be changed religiously between 4-5 thousand mile intervals. Never more than 5 thousand. Thanks and be blessed.

[@FordBossMe]

UPR is definitely the way to go and I would do the clean and dirty side because it is turbocharged

[@binksters_dad]

@@FordBossMe Thank you. I was leaning that way but wanted your opinion since you work on these things all the time. Thanks again!

[@Mustang-Mike]

2022 F150 2.7 eco boost. Would you install a catch can? Happy New Year.

[@FordBossMe]

1000% yes

[@kenmcmillen7212]

Definitely installing one on my 2000 town car. Question I have is my 04 Avalon has the 3.0 engine that is pretty clean but known for sludge build up over time. Would this help prevent that issue later on?

[@peterbenson3776]

Im going to get one for my. 3.5 ecoboost

[@factstrumpfeelings4551]

What is rhe brand and part number for the catch can kit you used? I only want a FBM approved one!

[@zaffo757]

He said Doorman, but it looked just like a $20 Amazon. I stuff with a stainless scrub pad

[@FordBossMe]

Dorman 46110 Oil Catch Can System - Universal (OE FIX) a.co/d/03mfqXj

[@Rick_Kn]

Good explanation. Thank you.

[@josephtrockel6917]

I got a 2020 ford f150 with the 5.0. Whenever I drive from a stop around 2-3k rpm I hear this rattling noise. When I use 87 octane I feel I hear it the most but even when I use 93 octane I still hear it a little. Any ideas on what it can be because the ford dealer keeps saying they can’t replicate the sound.

[@brokenwrench404]

I’ve been thinking of adding a catch can to my 2000 ford v10 that has over 230k on it to keep that crap from going into the intake manifold and throttle body

[@MindGarden]

good to know! enjoying your channel

[@jalenjackson5089]

Hey boss i have a question can i drop a 4.6 out of a 03 grand marquis can i drop it in my 05 Towncar with out any issues the grand Marquis engine have 59k miles on it

[@standhd]

Great vid Boss! Happy New Year!

[@FordBossMe]

Happy New Year

[@davidbeers5949]

Rich I have a 20/20 fusion with a 1.5 l ecoboost engine and the exhaust tip is always dirty. A friend of mine who has one around the same year that is gray color and it's a 2.0 I believe. I would assume one would be advantageous to put on mine? There are so many hoses I would not know where to start to install one.

[@FordBossMe]

Look at a company called UPR they have really good directions on how to install them and your vehicle would be a great candidate for it

[@farmerthatflies]

So set me straight, this probably WONT help with the fuel smell that starts building in the oil around 3000-3500 miles? I’m thinking that’s a different issue. ‘21 2.0 EB maverick

[@free2chasehappy]

Some PCV are built into the valve cover like a lot of GM Ecotech engines. Man, some bean counters just love to suck the consumer dry when you have to change what is essentially a $10 PCV valve, valve cover, gasket, and the labor to do it.

[@FordBossMe]

There's definitely a much broader video I can do on this but I wanted to keep it very simple I can't go into detail like I really want to or else the video would be a 20 minute video that people wouldn't sit here and watch It's more than just the valve cover as well so if you look at like the 1.5 L EcoBoost engines the PCV system is built into the crankcase oil separator cover that bolts down to the block underneath the intake manifold

[@free2chasehappy]

@@FordBossMe keep the shorts coming Boss! Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@snoops606]

Would it be worth my money on my 3.3

[@daewooparts]

Need to put a catch can in my vehicle

[@CristianoFénix-z4b]

Great explanation. Not sure you touched on it before. But how do you feel about the Coyote? Worth $$? Or all hype?

[@FordBossMe]

Coyote engine is one of the best engines ever produced

[@dermaulwurf5540]

Do you think it's an good idea to add a catch can to an 1.5 Ecoboost engine built in 2017?

[@FordBossMe]

Yes

[@dermaulwurf5540]

Can you discribe, where to find the right hose, to install the catch can? I drive a Fusion / Mondeo.

[@marvinsurly7175]

Hey Rich do any vehicles come from the factory with a catch can just wondering?

[@FordBossMe]

Not that I'm aware of

[@billmonroe8826]

Vehicles use to have an actual pcv valve and for some reason they quit that. It seems these companies are building cheaper quality vehicles with an outrageous price tag and some are lucky to make it to 100,000 miles before the engine is toast! The price of vehicles and no longer than many last is just a rip-off! Having to deal with a catch can besides everything else that's under the hood of these vehicles is non sense. I've seen some vehicles gather way more oil in a catch can than there should be. With the technology we have this just shouldn't be. One vehicle that comes to mind are the silverado's when they first came out with the AFM and GM said the oil consumption was normal. Just another way of circumventing the problem that they had!

[@CarGuyKyle77]

Hey

[@lorenray9479]

Toyotaco 2018 2.7l pcv hidden?

[@FordBossMe]

I'm not really sure on that one I don't really do a lot with Toyota so I know some of them are in the valve cover themselves some of them are down on the engine block mounted with an oil separator it's just all depends on your application

[@lorenray9479]

Thank you bro!

[@andyd5492]

You didn't mention catch can maintenance.

[@OlFiver]

Catch can necessary on a 2016 f150 gen 2 coyote?

[@FordBossMe]

Yes

[@mikimiki195]

Wait you only have catch can on one side?

[@FordBossMe]

Yeah you don't need a catch can on the other side as well because it's not a supercharged or turbocharged application and if you're running naturally aspirated you only need it on the PCV side

[@mikimiki195]

@@FordBossMe well it’s 3.5 eco boost it does have turbo on both sides

[@FordBossMe]

than that would explain why a dual setup would be okay

[@mikimiki195]

I have catch can on my f150 any time I check there’s nothing in the can. In my case it’s useless

[@FordBossMe]

Not necessarily, it could be because you have lines that are way too big and it's not able to produce sufficient vacuum on the system

[@julietspaghetti]

Theres a homeless person in a tent by Lincoln park zoo like Anthony he needs help

[@johnc6256]

I guess I’m not a fan I’ve seen them freeze up and it extreme cold temperatures and all that pressure in your engine needs to go somewhere puking out a seal

[@FordBossMe]

The only way that they'll freeze up in cold temperatures is if somebody is not taking care of it

[@farmerthatflies]

Let that happen in aircraft engine at altitude, esp in winter. Most people refer to that as the shit hitting the proverbial fan