Oil Catch can

[Poiseuille]

subscribed. still on the fence.

[jmciver]

More data....

I just did my 15k mile "mid interval" oil change today, which also included draining the catch can. The process went much faster this time as I finally have a good routine - took me ~20 min to get it done.

This first pic tries to show how I removed the main bolt and disconnected the silicone PCV hose from the catch can to give me more flexibility to get my hand in there and unscrew the can to empty it:



The next few pics show what I found after 5k miles since my last oil change. Again, 2-3 ounces of oil/water mixture (mostly water) with a little bit of sludge at the bottom of the can. This is essentially what I had at my last oil change 5k miles ago:







The OEM BMW system may be well designed, but I am still glad I have this. The catch can is doing what it is supposed to do and keeping my intake tract clean....

[jmciver]

Just checked my OCC in preps for my 20k mile oil change. This time there was a small bit of oily residue, but was essentially dry. Either my engine is getting "tighter" with age or I must not have been driving the car hard enough for the last 5k miles . Still glad I have it...

[Fast4d]

when I changed my charge pipes the inlet of the cooler was greasy/wet so I bought a catch can. 30k miles at the time

[jmciver]

I just did my 25k interim oil change. I found a bit more oil/water condensation in the can this time compared to my 20k oil change. However, nothing more than what I have seen in the past. I think the increased condensation may have to do with the colder temperatures of the Fall/Winter, but I am just speculating on that.

For those of you on the fence about this mod being "needed", especially on a stock car, I see it like this. BMW did an excellent job with this engine, to include the PCV system so IMHO I don't think this mod is absolutely "needed" for your engine to run properly and stay within specification. However, all combustion engines will have degraded performance over time no matter what you do, but preventative maintenance (like this OCC) does help to keep things running like new. The cost of this preventative maintenance mod is relatively small at $200 (this is a $75k-80k car new after all) and 15 min of your time to check it is a small price to pay for an enthusiast who wants to keep their engine running in top condition. While not the end of the world, I am glad the stuff found in the OCC is not going back into my intake system as it does add up over time .

Pic below of what I saw at this oil change...

[Mmvic]

Originally Posted by jmciver

I just did my 25k interim oil change. I found a bit more oil/water condensation in the can this time compared to my 20k oil change. However, nothing more than what I have seen in the past. I think the increased condensation may have to do with the colder temperatures of the Fall/Winter, but I am just speculating on that.

For those of you on the fence about this mod being "needed", especially on a stock car, I see it like this. BMW did an excellent job with this engine, to include the PCV system so IMHO I don't think this mod is absolutely "needed" for your engine to run properly and stay within specification. However, all combustion engines will have degraded performance over time no matter what you do, but preventative maintenance (like this OCC) does help to keep things running like new. The cost of this preventative maintenance mod is relatively small at $200 (this is a $75k-80k car new after all) and 15 min of your time to check it is a small price to pay for an enthusiast who wants to keep their engine running in top condition. While not the end of the world, I am glad the stuff found in the OCC is not going back into my intake system as it does add up over time .

Pic below of what I saw at this oil change...

I was just reading this thread last night debating on this mod. thanks for update! I think I will get one

[ssgm1x]

Just ordered my BMS Catch Can. 2018 F80 M3 with 6,000 miles had some oil in the right side chargepipe right before the intercooler. Left side pipe was dry. Better safe than
sorry !!!!

[shay2nak]

Now that I did break in will get one, too and install when i put in K&N filters.

I have CC on my Exige and works well.

[ssgm1x]

Done. Just installed. Took 30min.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by ssgm1x

Done. Just installed. Took 30min.

No hose clamps???

[ssgm1x]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

No hose clamps???

Kit does not come with hose clamps as they are (I'm assuming) not needed. I did zip tied them on just to make sure.

[Fast4d]

that's how much oil I found in the front charge pipe. I installed one after seeing it.

oil can hoses not under pressure so no need for clamps.

[ssgm1x]

Originally Posted by Fast4d

that's how much oil I found in the front charge pipe. I installed one after seeing it.

oil can hoses not under pressure so no need for clamps.

Yup. Same here. 7k miles on car. Right Chargepipe (front) had a little oil buildup.
Better safe than sorry !!!
Thx

[Dr._Who]

Originally Posted by ssgm1x

Just ordered my BMS Catch Can. 2018 F80 M3 with 6,000 miles had some oil in the right side chargepipe right before the intercooler. Left side pipe was dry. Better safe than
sorry !!!!

Hey,

Pardon the question, but when you wrote, "right..." and "Left... ", can I infer this to mean, Lower... and Upper... " (bottom & top... )??

TMK, the "Charge Pipes" are both on the passenger side or Left side of the engine bay. One above the other.

Please confirm.


Cheers!

[ssgm1x]

Originally Posted by Dr._Who

Hey,

Pardon the question, but when you wrote, "right..." and "Left... ", can I infer this to mean, Lower... and Upper... " (bottom & top... )??

TMK, the "Charge Pipes" are both on the passenger side or Left side of the engine bay. One above the other.

Please confirm.


Cheers!

Here is what I called Left and Right since I was hovered over the passenger side fender when disassembling. Hope this helps....Thx

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by jmciver

More data....

I just did my 15k mile "mid interval" oil change today, which also included draining the catch can. The process went much faster this time as I finally have a good routine - took me ~20 min to get it done.

This first pic tries to show how I removed the main bolt and disconnected the silicone PCV hose from the catch can to give me more flexibility to get my hand in there and unscrew the can to empty it:

The next few pics show what I found after 5k miles since my last oil change. Again, 2-3 ounces of oil/water mixture (mostly water) with a little bit of sludge at the bottom of the can. This is essentially what I had at my last oil change 5k miles ago:

The OEM BMW system may be well designed, but I am still glad I have this. The catch can is doing what it is supposed to do and keeping my intake tract clean....

Originally Posted by jmciver

Just checked my OCC in preps for my 20k mile oil change. This time there was a small bit of oily residue, but was essentially dry. Either my engine is getting "tighter" with age or I must not have been driving the car hard enough for the last 5k miles . Still glad I have it...

Originally Posted by jmciver

I just did my 25k interim oil change. I found a bit more oil/water condensation in the can this time compared to my 20k oil change. However, nothing more than what I have seen in the past. I think the increased condensation may have to do with the colder temperatures of the Fall/Winter, but I am just speculating on that.

For those of you on the fence about this mod being "needed", especially on a stock car, I see it like this. BMW did an excellent job with this engine, to include the PCV system so IMHO I don't think this mod is absolutely "needed" for your engine to run properly and stay within specification. However, all combustion engines will have degraded performance over time no matter what you do, but preventative maintenance (like this OCC) does help to keep things running like new. The cost of this preventative maintenance mod is relatively small at $200 (this is a $75k-80k car new after all) and 15 min of your time to check it is a small price to pay for an enthusiast who wants to keep their engine running in top condition. While not the end of the world, I am glad the stuff found in the OCC is not going back into my intake system as it does add up over time .

Pic below of what I saw at this oil change...

Originally Posted by ssgm1x

Just ordered my BMS Catch Can. 2018 F80 M3 with 6,000 miles had some oil in the right side chargepipe right before the intercooler. Left side pipe was dry. Better safe than
sorry !!!!

Originally Posted by ssgm1x

Yup. Same here. 7k miles on car. Right Chargepipe (front) had a little oil buildup.
Better safe than sorry !!!
Thx

Originally Posted by jmciver

So I did my first interim oil change yesterday at 51XX miles, with the BMS OCC on the car for ~3500 miles. I was not expecting much of anything given the low milage since the OCC install and based on what others have seen. However, I was surprised at just how bone dry the OCC was. I guess this means that maybe my "modified" break-in procedure may have worked better than I thought to help seal those piston rings ......

Anyway, I am still glad I did this mod though and would still recommend it as this is not an expensive modification by any means. As healthy and as well designed as the S55 engine may be, there will always be some blow-by as the engine ages. Next inspection will be in ~5k miles or so with the next oil change. Pic below of what I saw when I went to drain it...

Originally Posted by Mr. Wilson

Installed mine at 500 miles. Checked again at 5k and 10k miles. Not a drop. Put tune on at 10k so it will be interesting to see if there is any difference at 15k. Very different experience with my N54 engine. Although my prior tuned N55 didn't show anything either similar to the S55.

Strange that I'm reading some car's CC are dry. Maybe the reason some cars have some residue, and I say this because of the appearance of what's in the CC photos, is from the issue with some cars having a leaky chargecooler. What you see is coolant mixed with oil vapor? When I drain the CC in my Exige, it's oil, but dirty. And that car has an air to air intercooler. It doesn't look like what I see in these photos. Just a thought. Would it even be possible?

[shay2nak]

Other than BMS, there's Turner and one other I found. The total Oz capacity is different and the latter 2 have dipsticks and are larger. Is the BMS enough to go 5000 miles without draining since it doesn't have a dipstick?

[jmciver]

My charge cooler is not leaking. What you see in my pics is oil/water vapor. Why sometimes the CC has been dryer than others, I can't explain. It could possibly have to do with the temps in fall/winter vs spring/summer (i.e. more condensation in winter) - but that is just a guess. As far as how long you can go between CC drains, I have been doing mine every 5k miles and you see what is in my CC.

My 30k oil change is due soon so I will another data dump coming up...

[DJM4]

Can a catch can be bypassed and set to drain out and the PCV be vented?

[coldsteelrain]

This is from 5k miles
Always run 93 octane
Car is tuned, PS2 turbos
A lot more than I thought I would find but now I am glad I got the oil catch can

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by coldsteelrain

This is from 5k miles
Always run 93 octane
Car is tuned, PS2 turbos
A lot more than I thought I would find but now I am glad I got the oil catch can

wow, is that halfway up the can?

[coldsteelrain]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

wow, is that halfway up the can?

Yes