Let's Talk Oil Catch Cans

Let's talk oil catch cans we had this discussion in the workshop this week with a customer so let's talk about it :-) 

A Subaru oil catch can primarily benefits by preventing oil vapors and contaminants from entering the intake manifold, which can help maintain engine cleanliness, potentially improving fuel economy, performance, and extending engine life by reducing carbon buildup on the intake valves, particularly beneficial for turbocharged Subarus with higher crankcase pressure. 

Key benefits of a Subaru oil catch can: 

• Reduced carbon buildup:
  By trapping oil vapors, the catch can prevents them from reaching the intake valves, minimizing carbon deposits that can lead to decreased engine efficiency and power loss. 
  

• Improved throttle response:
  With a cleaner intake system, the engine can respond quicker to throttle inputs. 
  

• Maybe Potential fuel economy gain:
  Due to the air being a little cleaner there is a chance of better fuel consumption but that's hard to test . 
  

• Engine longevity:
  Knowing how many miles some of you cover and all the dirty air going back into the intake with a catch can there is less build up so would prevent having to take them apart especially on DIT engines . 
  

• Especially beneficial for turbocharged engines:
  Turbocharged Subarus, like the WRX STI, experience higher crankcase pressure, making an oil catch can even more important to prevent oil from entering the intake system. 
  
  Important points to consider

• Regular maintenance:
  There is two ways of going about this , the RCM unit that we fit has a return to sump pipe so there is no maintenance, but the other way which can be a little dirty is putting a small fitting on the lower part of the catch can which would need draining every 6-12 months depending on milage. 
  

  Quality matters:

• The kit we use is the RCM track attack kit which is a well-designed catch can with proper baffling to effectively separate oil from air. 

• Ease of fitting - they can be a little tricky, removal of the top mount is necessary to gain access to the PCV valve at the back of the inlet manifold.  once you have removed PCV valve there is a blanking plug you need to fit but be careful it's a tapered thread . The catch can mounts on the passenger side chassis leg (rhd) cars . If you don't want to attempt the fit yourself then call us we will fit it .

• Looking good .. the catch can can also add a bit of style to your engine bay the kit we buy comes with black breather pipes but you could customise this with a choice of colours for the pipes . 

  Not a magic solution:
  While a catch can can be beneficial, it is not a substitute for regular engine maintenance and proper oil changes.