Re: Catch cans.

[mikef523]

I have had my eco since March, and I have been undecided on whether a catch can is really necessary. I live in the Houston area, and we have a number of automotive service centers here called "Christian Brothers Automotive". they have a great reputation, and have around 15 centers located throughout the Houston metro area. All of their technicians are required to attend periodic classes to keep them up to date on the latest developments on the new cars.
So, I have trusted them for several years with a few of my vehicles, and my wife's also.
I decided to go in and ask what their opinion was on installing a catch can on my eco. I was told that it is pretty much a waist of money to have it installed. He said that the benefit (if any) was very minimal, and although it doesn't hurt to have it, it is simply (not needed). Basically, he said it was a waste of time, and money to install it.
I am no expert on cars, nor am I posting this to discredit anyone. I am just posting this to pass along the info I have received regarding this subject.
So, based on the info I have been given, I have decided against a catch can.

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[Choking_Victim]

I have installed them on 99% of my car's since 98. I feel there are benefits to not having a coated throttle blade and sludged up manifold.

 

[thewoodscrew]

Take a look on the Focus ST forums and you'll see why it's recommended. The ecoboost family of engines are high boost and direct injection, the intake valves will look pretty nasty pretty fast.

 

[Volstang]

I had '13 Focus ST and I was surprised at how much sludge had built up after only 15k miles. Can't hurt to have one.

 

[mikef523]

So, I ask this for info, not to be a smartass. Why didn't Ford install the catch can at the factory if this is such an issue?

 

[Impulsed7]

Same reason almost no direct injected motor comes with it. Its a non-issue to most customers, and costs more money. BMW has had issues for years, and they just up-sell a walnut blasting at the dealership. Most cars don't run into problems till they are long out of warranty.

 

[Choking_Victim]

well the sludge etc. that your noticing on the valves is largely due to direct injection and no raw fuel washing the valves. it's common on all DI. however a catch can will help keep oil vapor and build up out of of other crucial areas.

 

[Choking_Victim]

So, I ask this for info, not to be a smartass. Why didn't Ford install the catch can at the factory if this is such an issue?

not cost effective, in their minds and the minds of bean counter's the pcv system is sufficient.:doh:

 

[mikef523]

well the sludge etc. that your noticing on the valves is largely due to direct injection and no raw fuel washing the valves. it's common on all DI. however a catch can will help keep oil vapor and build up out of of other crucial areas.

Ok, so we get sludge buidlup and oil vapor causing problems at a relatively low mileage. Does it keep building up, or does it reach a point where it burns off? Does it affect gas mileage, performance, HP? And isn't this something that occurs on every vehicle, turbo or not?
To the average driver, is this somthinig that is going to have an adverse affect during the average of keeping a car for.... Lets say....5 years?
Is this something that you want if you always want TOP performance
out of your vehicle at all times?
For all here who don't get the catch can........Will it really affect us down the road, as far as a noticeable loss of performance? Or will it do "actual" damage to our engines? Lets say we keep our vehicles for a hundred thousand miles? How much will NOT having the catch can affect us in your opinions?

 

[Choking_Victim]

Do you know the difference between direct injection and multi port ? And why direct injection is more prone to carbon build up? I gave cliff notes above. If you don't want a catch that's fine and I'm sure it'll be ok.....it's my opinion that it better to have than not. Carbon will build and continue to build..sure some will burn off but with direct injection fuel never touches the valve...so manufacturer add a extra injector sometimes to help alleviate carbon fouling. Unsure if this is the case with ford's line. I would assume that excessive sludge and carbon would have a negative impact on all the things u mention above. I'm unsure what milage this could become.critical 50k 100k 200k uncertain. On some European cars it not uncommon to have the heads removed and deep cleaned once they become fairly gummed up. I seen some super proactive folks insist on doing it every 40k. Just food for thought.

 

[redgt]

Also, why include a catch can OEM when most owners can barely remember or know how to check their motor oil?

 

[The Great Gazoo]

Watch these videos by a Ford tech . I'm surprised Ford's recommended fix is to replace the head when there is excessive carbon fouling, not walnut blasting. Go to the 6:00 minute mark of the second video if you want to see what baked on oil deposits on valves and ports looks like.

These videos are informational and some facts are highly debatable.

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[mikef523]

I noticed in the video, he is talking about the 2.0 Explorer and the Ford F150. No mention of the 2.3 Ltr. Mustang. So I assume this video is at least a year old. possibly older.
I would like to know what (if any) advancements have been made regarding injection/carbon buildup, since this video presentation.
If Ford was aware of this problem prior to coming out with the 2.3 Mustang eco, I wonder if they did anything to either resolve the issue, or at least to slow down the carbon buildup problem.

 

[tsunami]

I installed a dual valve catch can on my EB. It collected about an ounce of oil during the first 1,000 miles. Less than half an ounce over the next 1,000 miles. I guess I haven't been boosting the EB as much once the 'newness' of the turbo has worn off. But I still feel that it was worth the $200...not to have to worry as much about having walnut shells fired at my engine.

 

[khaosryder]

I noticed in the video, he is talking about the 2.0 Explorer and the Ford F150. No mention of the 2.3 Ltr. Mustang. So I assume this video is at least a year old. possibly older.
I would like to know what (if any) advancements have been made regarding injection/carbon buildup, since this video presentation.
If Ford was aware of this problem prior to coming out with the 2.3 Mustang eco, I wonder if they did anything to either resolve the issue, or at least to slow down the carbon buildup problem.

It's an inherent problem with all DI engines, they are fully aware of the carbon build up. What they are trying to figure out thought, is a procedure to actually clean the valves without melting the turbos.

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