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Large Oil Catch Can locations?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by NewHybridOwner, Aug 21, 2019.

  1. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    I bought a 600ml square OCC, assuming -- wrongly -- that I would be able to install it where many other people are installing their smaller round OCCs.

    Unless there is room low down on the driver's side somewhere, I'll have to install it on the passenger side. Just looking down from the top, there seems to be space back toward the firewall. Has anyone installed an OCC there-- and, if so, to what did you attach it? Or are there any better locations?
     
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I installed ours low along the cross member as there was a good amount of room ;).

    Not sure there was enough room for a 600 mL catch can though :cool:.

    But what’s the dimensions :whistle:?
     
  3. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    It's 7.0 in. tall, excluding the upward-tilted hose connections; not actually square, although that was the description -- 2.5 in. (excluding the sight glass) x 3.0 in. It's eBay item 362718363546.

    It has a drain plug in the side, but I was worried that that would be too easy to drop and lose, so I ordered (but have not yet received) a drain valve (and a drill and tap) that I was intending to install in the bottom.

    I looked at the pictures of your OCC installation. The hoses look the same as what came with mine; do they stand up to the vacuum OK? I was assuming I would have to substitute real automotive-type hose.

    Were you able to access that U-shaped hose from below instead of removing the intake manifold and working from above?
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    3/8" ID SAE-30R7 is a commonly available fuel line hose, at most automotive specialty shops. It's a nice solid, black hose, works good. It's typically just over a $1 per foot.

    I mounted an L-bracket on the lower cross-beam, below the intake manifold. Cut the original PCV hose at the middle, and spliced in my extra hoses down to my OCC.

    Any thing you connect to that lower beam should a slight amount of flex, say use rubber washers in the interface. If you connect it solidly, and use the front/central jacking point, you'll hear a lot of creaking/groaning, it'll stress the connection.
     
  5. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    Were you able to make the connections from below, or did you remove the intake manifold?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I definitely needed to remove the intake manifold, but I was drilling holes in the top flange of the lower beam. Still, I would recommend to remove the intake manifold, and clean it out. Unless the car is near-new there will be oil/water pool under the throttle body, a lkely a significant carbon build-up in the EGR passages. Watch @NutzAboutBolts video (pinned at top of 3rd gen maintenance forum) on intake manifold cleaning.

    With the intake manifold out it is very easy to do all your hook ups.

    I drilled through-holes for bolts in the top flange of the lower cross beam, but if was doing it over I think would just drill pilot holes for self-tapping screws. It's just possible to fish through bolts through openings in the bottom flange, but VERY awkward. Again, any metal bracket attached to that lower beam should have rubber washers (or gasket) in the interface, so that the beam can flex.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Aug 22, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2019
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  7. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    I don't like the idea of drilling holes in that beam; are you sure you're not impairing the structural integrity of the vehicle? I'd rather strap a support to that beam with hose clamps.

    I haven't crawled under the car yet to see if this oversize OCC will fit where you fitted yours. I tried it in the space in front of the firewall on the passenger side. There is space, but I'm not sure where I would attach it or how I would drain it when necessary.

    Our car has done less than 33K miles, so I don't know that I need to tackle the EGR yet.
     
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  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Hoses were an opportunity, so I went with fuel line;).

    I had to remove the intake hose to check the dip stick, but that’s a 3 minute job:).

    Go low(y).
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah you could do an airplane clamp style strap, or maybe even long zip ties (or combine ones, if needed). One thing, IIRC there's some sort of outstanding flange on the beam, so any band would be going round a flannge edge. Maybe, not sure if I'm rememberering correctly.

    I drilled 3/8" holes (4) through the top flange, and I just strongly suspect there's no compromise. Small holes for self-tapping screws, would be like flea bites. That's what I would do if I was starting again.

    Just to see the scale, here's a pic of the holes:

    upload_2019-8-22_18-19-20.png

    I have a near-overwhelming urge, to brush/blow those metal shavings off, lol.

    BTW, the green masking tape you can just see, on the rear vertical face, indicates extent of large openings in the bottom flange of the beam. I reached through those openings, to fish bolts up. It was a pain though. Self-tapping etc etc.

    My can, trial-fitted:

    upload_2019-8-22_18-23-20.png
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Aug 22, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2019