PSA - Oil Catch Cans and Winter Conditions

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

Seeing as a large portion of the US is going to experience colder than normal temperatures this winter, I figured I'd send out a PSA regarding use of oil catch cans in cold, winter conditions. Please remember to step up your inspection intervals in cold weather environments. Especially if you have frequent short trips. Depending on the size of your can, I'd recommend checking at least once a week. Check both the accumulation and the filter element. If you see regular signs of freezing you may want to consider removing the OCC during the winter months.

In winter, an oil catch can can accumulate a significant amount of condensation due to the large temperature difference between the cold engine bay and the hot engine, causing water to build up inside the catch can as vapor from the engine condenses when it hits the cooler surfaces within the can; this can potentially freeze in extremely cold temperatures.

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[RANGER/HOBB]

If the CC is placed in a part of the engine bay that receives plenty of heat, there’s no need to ever remove it in mid western -western states.

You're actually more likely to have issues with the lines which can be checked quite easily, by squeezing them at various points from the CC to the PCV connection.

As long as the CC is either empty or no more than half full, there‘s no issue. The condensation will always be lower in the CC and doesn’t affect flow from the crankcase. The PCV won’t freeze closed either.

The lines on the other hand do. If either line is frozen; the air, fuel and condensation, moving from the crankcase and PCV to the CC, cannot vent from the crankcase. This is where the problem arrises.

However, as the engine bay heats fairly quickly, the lines quickly thaw and allow the gases and fluids to flow. The CC always retains engine heat for longer periods of time after use and takes considerable more time to freeze.

Only recommendation is; if you live in a northern tier state east or mid-western to western state, with more frequent subzero F temps, it might be a good idea to remove it until you have a warmer seasonable change.

 

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

As long as the CC is either empty or no more than half full, there‘s no issue. The condensation will always be lower in the CC and doesn’t affect flow from the crankcase. The PCV won’t freeze closed either.

Hence the reason for the maintenance reminder. The OCC will fill faster in freezing/winter conditions with more water content and if not regularly checked can freeze in between driving sessions. If your OCC freezes full overnight it doesn't instantly melt when starting the vehicle. Larger and deeper catch cans will have less of an issue than something like the traditional Ford Performance catch cans. They are very shallow and the filter media is prone to freezing over easily.

Just to cover all bases, if you live at sea level at the equator you shouldn't ever have to remove your OCC during the winter.

 

[dard6555]

Hence the reason for the maintenance reminder. The OCC will fill faster in freezing/winter conditions with more water content and if not regularly checked can freeze in between driving sessions. If your OCC freezes full overnight it doesn't instantly melt when starting the vehicle. Larger and deeper catch cans will have less of an issue than something like the traditional Ford Performance catch cans. They are very shallow and the filter media is prone to freezing over easily.

Just to cover all bases, if you live at sea level at the equator you shouldn't ever have to remove your OCC during the winter.

The attached picture was what my catch can looked like after 5000 miles in Montana cold weather a couple weeks ago for its oil change.

 

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

The attached picture was what my catch can looked like after 5000 miles in Montana cold weather a couple weeks ago for its oil change.

Looks great. I remember my FP can looking much worse on my old 5.0 F150. I always had to remove that one in winter.
Wisconsin - no garage

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

Hence the reason for the maintenance reminder. The OCC will fill faster in freezing/winter conditions with more water content and if not regularly checked can freeze in between driving sessions. If your OCC freezes full overnight it doesn't instantly melt when starting the vehicle. Larger and deeper catch cans will have less of an issue than something like the traditional Ford Performance catch cans. They are very shallow and the filter media is prone to freezing over easily.

Just to cover all bases, if you live at sea level at the equator you shouldn't ever have to remove your OCC during the winter.

Personally, I‘ve found very little difference between cold vs warm weather with CC fluid contents but thats just my usage. Noted in the above thread, a bit less. The Rockies has some really extreme weather during the winter months.

We live at 6100 ft+ and with elevation changes comes higher boost usage more often. This tends to cause more blow-by and increased fluid in the CC. We also have much lower humidity levels which prevents excessive condensation in the crankcase. So, I believe it depends more on ambient conditions overall, in comparison.

Redundant really, as anyone here in the USA lives, 2,747.14 from the equator.

 

[famous47]

I’m in Florida so it’s only cold here for a few months a year. Cold as in mid 30s…

Would it be ideal to have the OCC installed, say 9 or 10 months of the year, then uninstalled the cooler months? Or just check it more frequently will do?

 

[TheRealSasquatch]

I’m in Florida so it’s only cold here for a few months a year. Cold as in mid 30s…

Would it be ideal to have the OCC installed, say 9 or 10 months of the year, then uninstalled the cooler months? Or just check it more frequently will do?

I grew up in Orlando. Florida is good to go with catch cans 365. There is not enough cold weather for enough hours of the day to have these issues the northerners are hashing out.

 

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

I’m in Florida so it’s only cold here for a few months a year. Cold as in mid 30s…

Would it be ideal to have the OCC installed, say 9 or 10 months of the year, then uninstalled the cooler months? Or just check it more frequently will do?

You should be good to go year round. All I'm advocating for is increasing inspection frequency to head off any problems before they could start, especially if you live in an area with freezing temperatures.

 

[HyperM3]

Thanks for the reminder. I still have yet to check mine since I installed it a few thousand miles ago. I should do that soon considering, like you said, the extremely cold temps we have had here.

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

Thanks for the reminder. I still have yet to check mine since I installed it a few thousand miles ago. I should do that soon considering, like you said, the extremely cold temps we have had here.

A good rules of thumb is, check and empty ever oil change or 5000 miles.

 

[HyperM3]

A good rules of thumb is, check and empty ever oil change or 5000 miles.

Yup, thats what I was planning on doing. Im only at 4,100 miles right now, so a little bit more to go.

 

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

Just a follow-up. Here is a pic of a two week clean out with sub-zero temps. This was with about 1,200 miles. Can was about 20% full.

Mix of 200+ mile trips and 4 mile trips to the office. Remote start used most mornings with average 10 minute idle.

I also attached a pic of combined cleanouts since install in August.

 

[hand-filer]

Suddenly I have a craving for a B52

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