DIY Oil Catch Can

[drewsifer86]

So i tried searching and came up with nothing. Is anyone running a DIY Catch Can? Ive heard some people running a small fuel filter. Any Ideas? Pictures? Thanks all.

[ckahler666]

I haven't done it on my ms3 yet, but I ran an air compressor bowl filter as my catch can. Worked perfectly, small and discrete too. Husky Model # HDA70603AV from HomeDepot. Model # HDA70403AV is a little less obvious, and has a clear bowl so you can see what crap it's collecting.

[bova]

not really wise to run something like that because the oil/fuel mixture will eat through the plastic. someone before had tried the air compressor bowl filter and it ended up cracking.

[ckahler666]

I ran mine for 2+ years and never had an issue. I only let it get about half-full and unscrewed the bowl, cleaned it with contact cleaner and put it back on (maybe once a month or so). Never cracked, leaked, clogged or anything.

[drewsifer86]

Originally Posted by ckahler666 I haven't done it on my ms3 yet, but I ran an air compressor bowl filter as my catch can. Worked perfectly, small and discrete too. Husky Model # HDA70603AV from HomeDepot. Model # HDA70403AV is a little less obvious, and has a clear bowl so you can see what crap it's collecting.

I might have to try that idea, I have a couple of those laying around. Did you fab your own mount?

[ckahler666]

Actually the mount it came with worked perfectly on my DSM. It has a black metal "L" bracket that bolted up on the left side of my engine bay right next to my air filter.

[drewsifer86]

Originally Posted by ckahler666 Actually the mount it came with worked perfectly on my DSM. It has a black metal "L" bracket that bolted up on the left side of my engine bay right next to my air filter.

Nice! Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

[ckahler666]

No problem, let me know if you wind up using it, I'd like to see how it turns out on our cars.

[bova]

Originally Posted by ckahler666 Actually the mount it came with worked perfectly on my DSM. It has a black metal "L" bracket that bolted up on the left side of my engine bay right next to my air filter.

That's probably why it last 2 years, it was on DSM, which most likely didn't have a fuel passing through with the oil.

[ckahler666]

When you run 34psi boost daily, 1600cc injectors, worn rings in #1 and 3 cyl and have to change the oil after 4 runs on the track because of fuel getting in the oil... yeah it still worked. I'm not trying to sound like a dick, but the dsm pushed more fuel into the oil than any MS3 lol Direct injection or not, that DSM was a piece of shit that ran 10.80's all day on pump gas.

Trust me, the Husky OCC works perfectly fine and is cheap as hell to make. I liked it for 3 reasons. A. Cheap. B. Clear so you can see what's in it. C. Small and discrete.

Even if it does crack (which I highly doubt will happen), its less than $20 to replace. The only problem I had at first was the hose I was using to connect the valve cover to the filter itself, I used a cheaper hose that wasn't rated for high heat or fuel and it wound up getting really hard where it connected to the valve cover. Use fuel hose if you can, if not... just replace the hose whenever it starts to get hard.

[drewsifer86]

Originally Posted by ckahler666 No problem, let me know if you wind up using it, I'd like to see how it turns out on our cars.

Will do, might try it next weekend. Ill post pics and such. oh one more thing, what size,OD? ID?, hose did you use?

[ckahler666]

Honestly I don't remember, it doesn't come with fittings so you'll have to wander over the plumping section and pick up some brass fittings to screw into the sides of the filter. When you pick them up you can use whatever size hose fits the nipples of the fittings you decide to get. My suggestion would be to use the size hose that fits on your valve cover fitting, and find a matching brass fitting for the filter.

[drewsifer86]

Originally Posted by ckahler666 Honestly I don't remember, it doesn't come with fittings so you'll have to wander over the plumping section and pick up some brass fittings to screw into the sides of the filter. When you pick them up you can use whatever size hose fits the nipples of the fittings you decide to get. My suggestion would be to use the size hose that fits on your valve cover fitting, and find a matching brass fitting for the filter.

good point, hardware store after work i guess lol. Ill let you know what I go with.

[ckahler666]

Cool cool, post a write-up... If you don't feel like it just send me some pictures and I'll write one up. Or I'll just wait a week or two and make my own.

[FenixTX717]

Yes please do a write up and post pictures! As ckahler said I've done this will all my DSM's and want to do something similar to the MS3. I've seen the catch can you can buy that comes with everything for the Mazdaspeeds but it looks quite intense and there has to be a cheaper/easier way of doing something that at least helps that's better than nothing.