1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Oil Catch Can @ 245k miles & Intake Manifold Cleaning

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Prius_Angie, Apr 16, 2020.

  1. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    245
    228
    6
    Location:
    Saint Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I conducted a successful procedure integrating an Oil Catch Can (OCC) and preventive maintenance on the intake manifold and port systems. It took all day with a trip to the Menards hardware store. This should catch a lot of residual oil from the oil blow by in faulty Toyota engines.

    PARTS & TOOLS-
    - cheap $17 amazon ordered OCC; has 2x 3/8" inlets; no unscrew access (odd)
    - 1 feet of 3/4" braided vinyl hose
    - 7 feet of 3/8" fuel line
    - brass adapter that we bought threaded end was and the barb side 3/8"
    - steel wool
    - PCV
    - gaskets for intake manifold and throttle body

    IDENTIFY SPACE- After clearing out the intake manifold I identified a clear spot up front near the radiator. After my after-market cold air intake pipe freed up loads of engine compartment space.

    PREP OCC- i opened up the bottom access bolt and stuffed a small fist full of steel wool; this should keep low and stable under high pressure from the in/out takes lines.

    PCV VALVE PORT OUT- I swapped out the PCV valve for a new one and connected the foot fuel line. Tightened down with 3/4" hose clamps.

    INTAKE MANIFOLD PORT LINE IN- This line required a reduction connector from 3/4" to 3/8". I threaded in the brass fitting into the ~1 foot of 3/4" braided vinyl. Tightened it down with 1" hose clamps.

    ADDITIONAL TASKS- good thing I didnt need to remove the cowel/windshield wipers. While down there for the OCC project, I also conducted preventative maintenance: swapped out the PCV valve, cleaned out the throttle body & intake manifold and ports, swapped new gaskets for and throttle body and manifold, and cleaned the EGR pipe.

    ROAD TEST- No CEL codes availed themselves at 70mph highway road test on cruse control for 10 minutes. No leaks, same engine noise, as if this procedure never occurred. More reporting in the months ahead...
    P_20200416_183822.jpg P_20200416_183819.jpg P_20200416_170205.jpg P_20200416_170208.jpg P_20200416_170201.jpg P_20200416_125958.jpg P_20200416_115910.jpg P_20200416_115927.jpg P_20200416_125054.jpg P_20200416_125028.jpg P_20200416_125025.jpg P_20200416_125046.jpg P_20200416_125048.jpg P_20200416_125101.jpg P_20200416_125105.jpg P_20200416_162740.jpg P_20200416_162236.jpg P_20200416_162242.jpg P_20200416_162251.jpg P_20200416_160840.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Burna J likes this.
  2. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    278
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I'd use a stainless-steel pot scrubber rather than steel wool -- no rust, more robust, less likely to shred and get fragments inside the engine.
     
    Burna J and Prius_Angie like this.
  3. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    245
    228
    6
    Location:
    Saint Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Thanks for your thoughts.
    This OCC has a bad design; and I already wrote a critique to the vendor. The lid doesnt unscrew open and not designed that way; hence the $16 price tag-- lol. There are 4 small holes and and 1 slightly bigger drain hole on the bottom. There are 2 on top for air intake/outtake; 2 on side for the oil level indicator). Unfortunately it was a challenge in getting whole pieces of steel wool up a 1 cm diameter entry port. I agree with your note of possible steel wool debris making its way into the engine. I will monitor this over the year. If it doesnt hold, I will probably replace the OCC with a more superior design model. Otherwise for the price its a satisfactory product.
    Cheers
    OCC.jpg OCC2.jpg
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    If you can't open it up I would definitely look for a replacement.
     
    Prius_Angie and Jim Swart like this.
  5. Borninblue

    Borninblue Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2018
    233
    158
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Zip tie to hold it in place? Are you comfortable it will stay there?
     
    Prius_Angie likes this.
  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    That information is from youtube; the use of steel wool as a filter media in OCC. Wish youtube can take those videos that tells you to use steel wool down from their site.
     
    Prius_Angie likes this.
  7. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    245
    228
    6
    Location:
    Saint Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I wasnt ready to make any permanent drill holes into the frame [yet]. Not a lot of engine vibration from the front radiator frame. A lot of the rubber piping coming into each other, formulate a level of conforming stressers pressing up and into each other. Everything wants to be suspended up, go figure. As well all the materials are actually quite light, and an additional of a cup of oil gained over the months wont weigh the contraption down any. The zip tie down is pretty solid; the simplicity is it beauty. ; )
     
    #7 Prius_Angie, Apr 17, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2020
  8. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    245
    228
    6
    Location:
    Saint Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I definitely will consider it in the future, thanks.
    I was shocked upon initial inspection of no cap removal; i took it for granted that all OCCs had them. This design proved to me that one OCC design is not similar to the rest.

    I plan on giving this a go for at least 3 months, looking out for: leaks, pressure issues, CEL, but mostly oil catch to curb the oil blowby getting in the intake manifold/ports.

    All the discussion is great, as I can see already and appreciate what an IDEAL OCC would look like. This is definitely the value of starting with simple products first, then branching out to larger/better.
     
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Mine is zipped tied, 2 years and going. Haven't lost sleep yet :LOL:
     
    Raytheeagle and Prius_Angie like this.
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Mine was over 3 years with zip ties:).

    They don't degrade if there is no solar rays to fail the plastic;).

    Go low and stealth(y).
     
    Prius_Angie likes this.
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Put some sort of cushion between the can and intake pipe in the interim. Having modded intake you have oodles of room btw.

    Keep an eye on that clear-braided tube, it might start to collapse. What a lot are doing is taking the OEM PCV hose and cutting it in half, pushing 3/8" brass barbed menders on. Or PEX menders, which are easier to pull off.

    Last time I replumbed mine I didn't bother with clamps, seems plenty tight with just the barbs. Only clamps are used were the OEM's, at the two ends with the OEM hose (cut in half).
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Apr 17, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2020
    Prius_Angie and Raytheeagle like this.
  12. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    245
    228
    6
    Location:
    Saint Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    ML,
    Right on with the cushion; I will look into it next. I have a new EGR-cooler & valve coming in the mail-- project for next weekend.

    Yes with the aftermarket cold air intake, the engine compartment is cavernous. I could practically fit a carry-on roller into the space. It came that way when i purchased the Prius 2 years back. The prior owner definitely had fun with this mod. Its loud and fun; I dont think it actually gives me more HP compared to without it. Nor does it hurt, so i just left it be.

    The brass mender is a screw on at the 3/4' side; it threaded firm into the clear braided vinyl; i had to lube with WD40. I feel pretty good that its threaded secure; thus i added the clamp prob more for added "visual effect." ; ) The braided tube is just as durable as the fuel lines: temp range of -50 to +175 degrees F and a max working pressure of 215 PSI. Yes, the other barb end has some "good sharp teeth" and dug in pretty well into the 3/8 fuel line. "If" i need clamps, those were probably less secured of them both comparably IMHO. The tubing and brass barbs that came with the product were inferior; I junked and replaced those instantly.
    OCC2.jpg

    BTW, sounds like you also had an OCC placed in your Prius. How long ago? Was it worth the effort overall? Is it doing well for you? Any big problems since procedure? Any notably less oil burning? Is your EGR system noticeably cleaner? I can only estimate that the OCC helps the excess oil burning and EGR system; i assess to ultimately extend the life of EGR system, O2 sensors, CAT, and exhaust.
     
    #12 Prius_Angie, Apr 18, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  13. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Specs schmecs :ROFLMAO:
     
    Prius_Angie likes this.
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I have a couple of Moroso 85474 Air-Oil Separators, in series. I installed the first one in the fall of 2017, and this last fall played around with the plumbing some (ending more-or-less right back where I started), but then worked out a revised mounting bracket and installed the second Moroso in series.

    My (so far unproven) theory is that if your oil catch can is catching (say) 50%, if you put two such cans in series, you should be catching 75%. I've got a bracket mounted atop the lower cross beam, so practical access is from below, during oil changes, with the car raised and engine underpanel off. I'll be doing an oil change after the next shopping trip (driving VERY infrequently these days, with Covid), and will drain both cans into identical makeshift graduates, see what each collects.

    My first time round cleaning the intake manifold was fall of 2017, around 71K kms (when first installing can), and when I cleaned it again last fall, around 85K kms, I found it was much less oily where the PCV circuit feeds in. Still, there was noticeable gunk building up in the EGR passageways.

    Not as bad as the first round of cleaning, but I think regardless of oil catch can install the EGR does continue to clog up. Hopefully less though. I've only cleaned the EGR valve and cooler once so far, fall of 2017, around same time as the oil catch can install. I think it's something you just need to redo periodically.

    I've had no discernable oil consumption so far, but I'm using a 6 month or 8K km oil change interval (and the months invariably come first). It's also very low "miles", only 86K kms to date.

    Here's a pic of my first set up:

    Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | Page 9 | PriusChat

    (Note, if you do through-bolts on the bottom flange, you want to put some sort of rubber washers (or a sheet of rubber) in the interface, and just install the bolts finger-tight and locked: this beam needs to flex, especially if you're using it as the front jacking point.)

    My aforementioned "replumb", basically going from 3/8" ID hose to 1/2". I eventually pulled it all out, went back to 3/8", utilizing the cut-in-half OEM PCV hose, lol:

    Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | Page 85 | PriusChat
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Apr 18, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2020
    Prius_Angie likes this.
  15. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    245
    228
    6
    Location:
    Saint Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Great day today for car some maintenance.
    - I got to re-attack the OCC and add a foam cushion in between air intake & OCC.
    - pics of aftermarket cold air intake
    - pic of cavernous engine space with aftermarket cold air intake

    P_20200418_134627.jpg P_20200418_134635.jpg P_20200418_134407.jpg P_20200418_134423.jpg P_20200416_183819.jpg P_20200416_183822.jpg P_20200418_134309.jpg P_20200418_134317.jpg P_20200418_134333.jpg P_20200418_134346.jpg P_20200418_134357.jpg
     
    James Powers likes this.
  16. Prius_Angie

    Prius_Angie Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    245
    228
    6
    Location:
    Saint Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    UPDATE REPORT
    3 weeks & ~300 miles later. The smooth engine ride and great mileage at 246k miles is very encouraging for my initial OCC reporting.

    Picture- 25min highway ride; averaging 50mpg; akin to numbers prior to OCC procedure.
     

    Attached Files:

    Aaron Vitolins likes this.
  17. Gnarly

    Gnarly Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    139
    41
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm sorry if I'm not understanding this completely but the OCC is so that the build up from gasoline doesn't clock up the EGR valve? I recently had to pay $2,000 for some mechanic shop to clean everything out and then had to go back 2 more times for them to replace the plug wires. Does anyone recommend a specific OCC and who installs these? Is there a youtube video I can follow for my 2011 Prius?
    Thanks.
     
  18. Travisfixingaprius

    Travisfixingaprius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2022
    31
    7
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thanks for the breakdown this is definitely helpful