I Haven't caught a thing. Not a drop. Catch Can

[gjallen3]

About two months ago, before over 2500 miles driven, and prior to a one four hour road trip, I installed a quality catch can from a reliable US manufacturer on the Dirty side. I checked the canister this morning and it is clean as a whistle. Nothing. When I removed the original PCV hose at installation it was pretty clean too and that was with 16,000 miles on it. I was going to install one on the clean side, as well but I am now skeptical and don't want to waste any more money. Some of the install videos I watched showed all kinds of oil and water collected in their canisters convincing me that it was critical that I install at least one. Now I'm believing how right P.T. Barnum was. It is a 2.0 Eco with about 18,500 miles on it. I am not using Top Tier gasoline. Was this project a waste of time and money?

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[Johnnycrouch]

I don’t know if they are a gimmick or not. People can get numbers to argue both sides. I do know most new cars are designed to go 200k plus with little problems. I think a lot of people sell stuff on your skepticism. And we all are guilty of buying snake oil occasionally.

 

[BK007]

About two months ago, before over 2500 miles driven, and prior to a one four hour road trip, I installed a quality catch can from a reliable US manufacturer on the Dirty side. I checked the canister this morning and it is clean as a whistle. Nothing. When I removed the original PCV hose at installation it was pretty clean too and that was with 16,000 miles on it. I was going to install one on the clean side, as well but I am now skeptical and don't want to waste any more money. Some of the install videos I watched showed all kinds of oil and water collected in their canisters convincing me that it was critical that I install at least one. Now I'm believing how right P.T. Barnum was. It is a 2.0 Eco with about 18,500 miles on it. I am not using Top Tier gasoline. Was this project a waste of time and money?

Catch cans aren't a scam, but on a stock 2.0L EcoBoost, they're pretty much a placebo.

The only vehicle I ever ran a catch can on was an old Tuned 2006 F350 6.0L PowerStroke
Loved that truck ran a bigger turbo no DEF deleted all smog on it ect. But it died a rust death.

On a healthy, stock EcoBoost doing long highway stints in good weather, the factory oil separator does its job just fine. Keep in mind that the '22–'24 models are purely Direct Injection, meaning fuel completely bypasses the intake valves, whereas the '25–'26 EcoBoost switched to a dual system with both port and direct injection to help wash those valves clean.

You see those overflowing, milky canisters on YouTube because those guys are doing 5-minute winter commutes where moisture never gets a chance to burn off, or they're running wild aftermarket tunes pushing max boost.

Save your money. Personally, I just stick to the classic 'Italian Tune-Up' on mine—drop the hammer for a hard quarter-mile stretch once in a while to blast out the carbon and clear out the engine. Much cheaper, way more fun, and you don't have to empty a tiny bucket of zero-residue disappointment every weekend!
Don't forget your CVT snacks!

 

[gjallen3]

Catch cans aren't a scam, but on a stock 2.0L EcoBoost, they're pretty much a placebo.

The only vehicle I ever ran a catch can on was an old 2006 F350 6.0L PowerStroke it was a great truck no DEF ect.

On a healthy, stock EcoBoost doing long highway stints in good weather, the factory oil separator does its job just fine. You see those overflowing, milky canisters on YouTube because those guys are doing 5-minute winter commutes where moisture never gets a chance to burn off, or they're running wild aftermarket tunes pushing max boost.

Save your money on the clean-side kit. Personally, I just stick to the classic 'Italian Tune-Up' on mine—drop the hammer for a hard quarter-mile stretch once in a while to blast out the carbon and clear out the engine. Much cheaper, way more fun, and you don't have to empty a tiny bucket of zero-residue disappointment every weekend!

I am in Arizona so I thought the warm winters and arid air could play a part in that as well regarding the moisture captured, but I did expect to see at least a film of oil in the canister.

 

[Tbone289]

I see just about zero blow-by/condensate in mine during the summer months. We have a solid four seasons here though, and I definitely catch some in fall through spring. The colder the startups and the shorter the trips the more blow-by/condensate you will experience. Unless you spend a lot of time under boost, I wouldn't recommend you buy a breather (clean) side catch can.

 

[BK007]

I see just about zero blow-by in mine during the summer months. We have a solid four seasons here though, and I definitely catch some in fall through spring. The colder the startups and the shorter the trips the more blow-by you will experience. Unless you spend a lot of time under boost, I wouldn't recommend you buy a breather (clean) side catch can.

I would get quit a bit of oil on the old 6.0 but that was expected. How much do you see on the 2.0L in the cooler months?

 

[Tbone289]

I would get quit a bit of oil on the old 6.0 but that was expected. How much do you see on the 2.0L in the cooler months?

Not a lot. Only about 16oz each year over the cool/cold months.

Edited from 8 oz to 16oz.

 

[Tbone289]

@BK007, that's not right. I thought I had the catch can on for 2 years, and It's been just one. So, it has been about 16oz over the cool/cold months, not 8.

 

[Ecorydr]

Catch cans aren't a scam, but on a stock 2.0L EcoBoost, they're pretty much a placebo.

The only vehicle I ever ran a catch can on was an old Tuned 2006 F350 6.0L PowerStroke
Loved that truck ran a bigger turbo no DEF deleted all smog on it ect. But it died a rust death.

On a healthy, stock EcoBoost doing long highway stints in good weather, the factory oil separator does its job just fine. Keep in mind that the '22–'24 models are purely Direct Injection, meaning fuel completely bypasses the intake valves, whereas the '25–'26 EcoBoost switched to a dual system with both port and direct injection to help wash those valves clean.

You see those overflowing, milky canisters on YouTube because those guys are doing 5-minute winter commutes where moisture never gets a chance to burn off, or they're running wild aftermarket tunes pushing max boost.

Save your money. Personally, I just stick to the classic 'Italian Tune-Up' on mine—drop the hammer for a hard quarter-mile stretch once in a while to blast out the carbon and clear out the engine. Much cheaper, way more fun, and you don't have to empty a tiny bucket of zero-residue disappointment every weekend!
Don't forget your CVT snacks!

Unlike my GT500 5.4ltr motor, the "dirty passenger side" PCV fills a 2 ounce Billet aluminum catch can every OCI. And by capturing it, helps keep the SC, intercooler, and intake valves clean.

 

[F150 2.7 TT user]

CC's something common in F150 forums. Did my own reaserch and most comments refer to the carbon build up problems in the 2000's especially with BMW and VW DI engines. 2 articles that make good reason they are a waste.

Understanding your PCV system, upgrades, and catch cans

Why Some Engines Have Both Port and Direct Injection

If I did worry about carbon deposits I would rather do something that keeps cleaning rather than cover symptoms.

Why You Should Consider Water-Methanol Injection For Your Engine

A little past 1/2 way in are photos after 1000 miles on water/methanol injection. I have friends in the F150 community using WM injection and comment on how clean the valves and piston tops are after bore-scoping.

 

[Chops]

The factory oil separators, especially the current version, return the liquid oil back into the crankcase. Oil captured on the dirty side catch can would have been put back into the crankcase instead of stuck in the can & associated hoses. Clean side catch can being empty shows the OEM separator is doing a fine job

 

[Tbone289]

Unlike my GT500 5.4ltr motor, the "dirty passenger side" PCV fills a 2 ounce Billet aluminum catch can every OCI. And by capturing it, helps keep the SC, intercooler, and intake valves clean.

On the Ecoboost 2.0, you would need a breather or "clean side" catch can to help keep the intercooler and turbo clean. The PCV or "dirty" side routes straight from the output of the factory oil separator into the intake manifold just upstream of the intake valves.

 

[Ecorydr]

On the Ecoboost 2.0, you would need a breather or "clean side" catch can to help keep the intercooler and turbo clean. The PCV or "dirty" side routes straight from the output of the factory oil separator into the intake manifold just upstream of the intake

On the Ecoboost 2.0, you would need a breather or "clean side" catch can to help keep the intercooler and turbo clean. The PCV or "dirty" side routes straight from the output of the factory oil separator into the intake manifold just upstream of the intake valves.

Have both on left and right side of my GT500 5.4 too. But, the clean side (driver) pulls/pushes air from/into the CAI tube pre-throttlebody which is always clean as well. Suppose because the air suction pressure is normally higher on the blower side than the CAI side if both PCVs are working properly.

 

[CurtisB]

About two months ago, before over 2500 miles driven, and prior to a one four hour road trip, I installed a quality catch can from a reliable US manufacturer on the Dirty side. I checked the canister this morning and it is clean as a whistle. Nothing. When I removed the original PCV hose at installation it was pretty clean too and that was with 16,000 miles on it. I was going to install one on the clean side, as well but I am now skeptical and don't want to waste any more money. Some of the install videos I watched showed all kinds of oil and water collected in their canisters convincing me that it was critical that I install at least one. Now I'm believing how right P.T. Barnum was. It is a 2.0 Eco with about 18,500 miles on it. I am not using Top Tier gasoline. Was this project a waste of time and money?

The catch can is good for certain Atkinson cycle engines. I had one on my 2015 Prius due to the type of head it had. It work. However, I have heard and read in the Maverick Forum that our Hybrid Atkinson Engines already have a system built in. I don't know anything about the Ecoboost engine.

 

[bill dalton]

About two months ago, before over 2500 miles driven, and prior to a one four hour road trip, I installed a quality catch can from a reliable US manufacturer on the Dirty side. I checked the canister this morning and it is clean as a whistle. Nothing. When I removed the original PCV hose at installation it was pretty clean too and that was with 16,000 miles on it. I was going to install one on the clean side, as well but I am now skeptical and don't want to waste any more money. Some of the install videos I watched showed all kinds of oil and water collected in their canisters convincing me that it was critical that I install at least one. Now I'm believing how right P.T. Barnum was. It is a 2.0 Eco with about 18,500 miles on it. I am not using Top Tier gasoline. Was this project a waste of time and money?

I've always had them, and they caught a lot, but I'm with you, after 4000 miles...very little. New engineering I guess.

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