How to reduce the dreaded valve carbon?

[Snox801]

Genuine question, not trying to refute the claim or stir the pot -- why don't OEMs put them on there if there's such a benefit?

Because it’s money. Say these cost $8 to make and install. Times that by how many cars ford puts out. It’s millions. Millions they don’t need to spend because many cars won’t ever make it long enough to have an issue and every one will make it well past the warranty window. Then they chalk walnut blasting up as general maintenance. Basically a numbers game.

Btw does does install them on some vehicles. Not called catch cans but separators and they simply drain back into the oil instead of needing emptying.

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[Snox801]

I'd like to see a Blackstone oil analysis on a 2.0 EB with a catch can. A video I watched about catch cans claimed, 1) they do work to reduce carbon build up on valves and 2) they increase oil dilution.
Can't find the link currently. But I would like to see the results.

Not sure how it would increase fuel dilution. Maybe decrease but that would even be a stretch as without one the fuel vapors would be burned off.

 

[Whatcolortochoose]

Genuine question, not trying to refute the claim or stir the pot -- why don't OEMs put them on there if there's such a benefit?

These aftermarket catch cans have to be emptied "regularly" and most owners aren't going to.

 

[Gonzo chris]

No my point was clear anyone can turn a microscope on someone else and pick out what “they” think is wrong.
As stated above I do my best no to pollute, based on what I feel is the real or largest overall good. Much like many experts.
I am just saying that this very tiny difference between the oil vapor getting burned or releasing is so insignificant that any engine not on a motor vehicle still vents this way. So unless you don’t cut your grass, eat any food grow by famers that use tractors you are in no position to lecture others.
Second pint was about try focusing that same microscope on yourself. Here one person comes into this forum to make a comment about my breather “idea” and like you bring up the point of because they pollute so can I while at the same time you buy products from them while they destroy the earth. But it’s ok cause you are not doing it directly. The cell phone you have in your hand has probably caused more environmental damage than one engine with a filters breather. So unless you are willing to toss it out and never buy another one or anything from china. You are in no position to be a moral superior.
Btw this is not painted at you. This was more to clarify my position to the original poster.
He has no idea how I live or how I impact the environment at all. But feels the need to chime in. We could go back and forth all day about who is better at saving the planet.

Not sure if you were referring to me but I do cut my grass. I have an ego electric mower though. Never thought I would have an electric mower but the wife got me one and I like it a lot better than my old gas one. Even just the maintenance end of it and I can stack it vertically to save up space after folding it. Oh yeah nobody really knows how any of us are living. We can only comment on what we read out here.. But yeah most of us have cell phones from China but I guess it's the cell phone plus other things I guess if we all have them? Thank God They're starting to reindustrialize the United States and make things like computer chips, batteries and things here. I said I'm not even aware of how much your setup would pollute I was just commenting on the general idea behind the justification if it was. Cheers

 

[Snox801]

Not sure if you were referring to me but I do cut my grass. I have an ego electric mower though. Never thought I would have an electric mower but the wife got me one and I like it a lot better than my old gas one. Even just the maintenance end of it and I can stack it vertically to save up space after folding it. Oh yeah nobody really knows how any of us are living. We can only comment on what we read out here.. But yeah most of us have cell phones from China but I guess it's the cell phone plus other things I guess if we all have them? Thank God They're starting to reindustrialize the United States and make things like computer chips, batteries and things here. I said I'm not even aware of how much drew setup would pollute I was just commenting on the general idea behind the justification if it was. Tears

It was not towards you. But you gone me finally one one things we can agree. I did an electric weed whacker. Can’t do mower because I have a huge yard. But man it’s nice. I don’t use it enough to keep my gas one going perfectly all the time so I tried an electric one that fits my makita batteries. They are Awsome.
At my new house I’m greener than everyone. I have sand. lol no need to mow yet.
Plus I live in a forest of trees so after consulting with them. They said they will take care of my emissions for me. So maybe even though I pollute in places people don’t like or don’t drive an electric car. I may just be greener than most because I have acres and acres of trees to clean up my mess.
Boy maybe in on to something. Wonder if they will consider that next time they push another green policies. Will I get to offset my footprint with my trees?
Lol

 

[jewc75]

Or you can just get a vented catch can from UPR with a one way check valve. They work great.

 

[shadow76]

I’ve never had a battery last 400k miles in my vehicles. So let me know how that goes.

Currently over 140k on a ten year old Prius. The dealer just informed me the main battery is currently at +97% efficiency. I know of older Prius clocking over 350k (miles not KM) on the original battery.

 

[Gonzo chris]

It was not towards you. But you gone me finally one one things we can agree. I did an electric weed whacker. Can’t do mower because I have a huge yard. But man it’s nice. I don’t use it enough to keep my gas one going perfectly all the time so I tried an electric one that fits my makita batteries. They are Awsome.
At my new house I’m greener than everyone. I have sand. lol no need to mow yet.
Plus I live in a forest of trees so after consulting with them. They said they will take care of my emissions for me. So maybe even though I pollute in places people don’t like or don’t drive an electric car. I may just be greener than most because I have acres and acres of trees to clean up my mess.
Boy maybe in on to something. Wonder if they will consider that next time they push another green policies. Will I get to offset my footprint with my trees?
Lol

I sense the sarcasm there a bit but that's fine. The air is a lot cleaner than it was in the '70s with a lot more cars on the road. So while policies are not always perfect or convenient, I think it is a situation where you don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Hell even when a lot of cities around the world we're basically locked down in early days covid you can see how much the air cleared up. Particularly places like India where they don't have the emissions controls that they probably should. Or after 9/11 when the airplanes weren't flying..
My lawn isn't that big but I can run continually anyway because I have two batteries, the one that came with the weed wacker which is great because you can feed the line without even taking the head off. You just fish it through and push a button and it automatically winds it. So when the battery on the mower runs out I can just swap it out for that one and throw the dead battery on the fast charger. By the time one runs out, the other is charged. Anyway. My yard is only about 1/3 acre so I can mow the whole yard, weed whack and leaf blow on one battery charge

 

[Gonzo chris]

Currently over 140k on a ten year old Prius. The dealer just informed me the main battery is currently at +97% efficiency. I know of older Prius clocking over 350k (miles not KM) on the original battery.

I don't know many engines that last 400,000 mi. In my personal vehicle I only drive around 6,000 mi a year so that would take me quite a while....

 

[Snox801]

I don't know many engines that last 400,000 mi. In my personal vehicle I only drive around 6,000 mi a year so that would take me quite a while....

I put that on in about 5-6 years consistently. So a lot of mine have.
Our biggest problem is the rust here in Michigan. At 6k a year you don’t have to worry about much of anything. Your maverick will probably outlast you. lol.

 

[Gonzo chris]

Hopefully not ... If I retire I expect I'll be putting more miles on

 

[AlsMaverick]

Not sure how it would increase fuel dilution. Maybe decrease but that would even be a stretch as without one the fuel vapors would be burned off.

I can't quote the video with enough accuracy, but something along the lines of "the way the can works is to slow down the flow enough to cool the fluid and catch it". The claim is that this reduced flow allowed more fluid buildup in the oil pan. I'm not claiming it's correct. Just that folks should look at other possible effects besides a can with liquid in it.

 

[Snox801]

I can't quote the video with enough accuracy, but something along the lines of "the way the can works is to slow down the flow enough to cool the fluid and catch it". The claim is that this reduced flow allowed more fluid buildup in the oil pan. I'm not claiming it's correct. Just that folks should look at other possible effects besides a can with liquid in it.

That may be true and be an even worse option than the carbon build up.
Maybe even more a reason to use the Upr breather. Or both for that matter

 

[rret]

Ok so so bare with me as this can be long winded.
So as the internet makes everything huge. I thought I would address a way to help reduce carbon build up or coking as it referred to on the intake valves of DI engines.
So to start off where does this come from? Well as your piston takes its compression stroke certain gasses get past the rings and pressurize the crank. When the crank case is pressurized that has to be relieved. So to save the environment the industry came up with a pcv valve to avoid vent to atmosphere. What this does is a series of baffles in a plate on the front side of our engines. And continues up to the intake. The theory is you add the extra crank pressure back into the intake and hope the baffles in the plate catch most the vapor and oils before the intake. But as we know it can’t catch all.
So several ways have been addressed for this. Such as better breather plates for the pcv with more baffles, and catch cans.
Now hear me out. I believe I have a third cheaper option.
Upr breather oil cap. So what this does is have a weighted ball that keeps vacuum while idles but once you get enough pressure it lifts and elevates it. Now since the timing chain and other parts are connected to the crank. This should in turn relieve crank pressure thus eliminating a lot of strain on the pcv valves also. Which would not have the extra pressure or gasses pushing up to the intake. The less gas the less coking of valves.
So far it seems to be working. I’ve been testing this on two ecoboost engines and at 120k they seem to have almost zero carbon build up.
So it’s only two but both have no more carbon or less than a port injection engine.
I stumbled upon this with my built focus rs just to remove crank pressure and the lightbulb went on.
These parts are only $65 and much cheaper than anything else. Plus it’s as simple as putting your oil cap on.

Snake oil. See Ford Tech Makuloco for removing carbon when the time comes. It's just a fact of life. Like paying taxes. Unless you're rich. 🫤

 

[olderbudwiser]

That may be true and be an even worse option than the carbon build up.
Maybe even more a reason to use the Upr breather. Or both for that matter

Thanks for the info. Bookmarked the link you posted.

Old breathers on the rocker covers were nothing more than a pushed on cap with wire mesh inside. If it got oil in it one just rinsed with mineral spirts and kept on going.
I've discovered some folks can find a $10 bill and complain it wasn't a $20.

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