Originally Posted by
RoswellGrey
OK, another question: How exactly do these things keep the engine clean? Until recently, I'd never even heard of oil catch cans, and I'm not sure what they're even supposed to do.
Oil Catch Cans collect the oil, moisture and blow-by gas that causes carbon and sludge build-up in the intake manifold, throttle body, intake track, and even the air filter system instead of the engine re-burning them. This helps to keep the engine clean even under hard driving conditions.
There are various negative effects when excess oil vapor contaminates the intake
system from the stock PCV system, such as:
·Throttle body and/or MAFS (Mass Air Flow Sensor) malfunction or failure.
·Air filter, intercooler (if equipped) and intake ducting contamination if oil pools and run back out the intake system after engine shutdown.
.Reduced octane of the air/fuel mixture, which can cause detonation and the ECM (Engine Control Module) to retard timing, thereby reducing engine power.
·Excessive carbon build-up on valves, piston crowns, combustion chambers and spark plugs. This also increases the chance of detonation and power loss.
·Increased emissions & possible contamination of catalytic converters and oxygen sensors.
Dodge does not install them due to the expense, and the fact that they must be emptied every 500 miles. This creates a problem of frequent maintenance, as well as possible contaminants.