Oil catch can for E320 CDI I decided to do write up on installing oil catch can on my CDI to help other members if they want do same thing. So far it ...
Oil catch can for E320 CDI I decided to do write up on installing oil catch can on my CDI to help other members if they want do same thing. So far it works and extracts about 10ml of oil on every 1000 miles and is packed lightly w/SS mesh (half of the mesh provided by manufacturer), thus I would say probably can improve w/more scrubbing material. Can choice was based on long and extensive research, which proved that all cans, are not equal. Best ones have inlet and outlet separated w/divider and oil reservoir on the bottom. I did not really care about pressure gauge installed on the can simply because I cannot see it while driving also I thought that the ones w/filter attached can create big mess under the hood if oil comes out of it. I would like to say that there are no oil catch cans for CDI so I have to improvise. I end up purchasing one for Toyota Tundra after looking around for installation space in my engine bay because was easy to mount where I wanted.
Toyota Tundra Oil catch can – they do take Best offer and will sell it to you for 70 – 75 bucks plus shipping. Next step was to modify it so it can work w/bigger diameter hose simply because the outlet and inlet fittings for the existing PCV hose between the oil separator and turbo inlet are 20 some millimeters. It has two plastic fittings I thought are not sturdy enough and have small hose diameter like 10-12mm and I did not want to reduce hose diameter and create backpressure. I purchased two 3/8 ID close nipples (close mean there is very little space between the threads) from Lowes or Home Depot which have same threads like the original plastic fittings.
To make the 90-degree turn I purchased two SS elbows w/approximately 7/8 male outside thread diameter. One end is compression fitting w/straight treads for ½ pipes and other is ¾ tapered outside diameter for ¾-inch tube - Parker makes those. Parker part number for the elbow is 12 – 8 CTX SS.
Male compression fitting then was cut down to the base of the threads and female threads made using 3/8 NPT tap to accept the nipple. The other thing that needs to be modified was the billet round mount – it needs to be shortened 15mm in order to have some space between the can and power steering
reservoir. In addition, when you cut it down you will have to rethread it – it is 10mm bolt diameter X 1mm thread step.
You may also have to drill inside to allow the small bolt that attach the mount to the can to go deeper and make some room for the big bolt. Hose was purchased from Lowes and is ¾ ID water heater hose pressure rated to 80 psi . Get yourself 7 feet to have the flexibility to route it differently if you want.
In addition, you will need four hose clamps to secure it on each end and 6mmX1 60mm bolt to replace one of the radiator support bolts, which will be used to mount the bracket w/two 6mm nuts and couple of washers. Use some of the hose that comes w/the can to insulate the thermostat expansion tubing.
To install the can simply remove the 6mm bolt and put the long bolt in place then screw one of the nuts install the bracket w/washer on each side and then screw second nut. On the other side, you have to remove the U shaped tube that connects air filter box and turbo inlet. To do this simply loose both clamps and pull it out be careful not to tear heather wires. When you have some room reach down and unplug heather connector. You may have to use some grease when inserting the hose. In addition, you may have to loosen all oil extractor bolts to be able to mount the hose on it.
Place the clamps and tighten them after this plug the heather connector and mount U tubing back in place securing it w/the clamps. Do not install engine covers for couple of weeks to be able to watch for leaks and loose bolts. To check the oil collection reservoir I simply remove the retainer holding the expansion reservoir in place unplug the level sensor and swing the whole reservoir aside. Now you can untighten the oil reservoir and drain it. I would not recommend unscrewing mounting bolts because after some time they will become loose.
