Camaro 1LE PCV Oil Separator Kit Winter Question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CapeCruisin · 01-19-2016, 11:40 AM

So, I bought my 1LE used. The PCV Oil Separator Kit was installed already.

It is not recommended for cold temperatures with ambient degrees under 32, nor is it recommended for "public roads".

Why?

Should I uninstall it? It takes literally like 5 seconds to pop off and put back on if I wanted to.

Does GM recommend uninstalling it for cold temperatures just to cover their ass if something goes wrong? But what could go wrong?

I've been driving with it on in the cold temperature for a bit of time now and haven't noticed anything. I even took it into the dealership for an oil change a week ago and they didn't mention anything (like they would, lol).

Thanks

1leWorksforMe · 01-19-2016, 11:48 AM

I think its because there is a chance condensation can come into play. However, if your car is in a garage and never sits below 32 you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

CapeCruisin · 01-19-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1leWorksforMe

I think its because there is a chance condensation can come into play. However, if your car is in a garage and never sits below 32 you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

Ah.
Well, I daily drive my car, rain or shine, snow or not. Parked outside every day.

GoldCartridgeGamer · 01-19-2016, 12:23 PM

I put it on my 2010 L99 and it is a daily driver. Sits in a garage at night and in an open parking lot during day. No issues here.

ForcFed93 · 01-19-2016, 03:33 PM

The problem, I think, is that in colder temperatures your car will likely never get warm enough to vaporize the condensation from the oil. That can lead to a build up of some sludgy looking stuff that probably could cause a problem with clogging the line to the intake.

See here for pictures: http://ls1tech.com/forums/generation...-fill-cap.html

GoldCartridgeGamer · 01-19-2016, 03:49 PM

Thanks for that link ForcFed93. Was looking for it to show as an example. I think it affects those who have short drives and the engine doesn't get warm enough during the cold months. I let the engine warm (idle) for at least 5 minutes during these cold months before driving and I wait till oil temp gets to a decent temp before pushing it hard at all. Also my drive to and from work is plenty of time for the engine to warm. That is a key for some people I believe. Those that have a short drive, take a longer route or drive it a bit before going home.

CapeCruisin · 01-20-2016, 10:53 AM

So its sounding like GM put the 'winter warning' there to just cover their own butts JUST in case something weird happened.

Nonissue I guess. Leaving it on then, huzzah!

Thanks all.

StingATX · 01-20-2016, 08:11 PM

Do you ever have to clean the stock OEM container? I know there is a difference between an oil separator and catch can - with the catch can needing to be emptied. What about the stock oil separator?

Mark T · 01-20-2016, 09:30 PM

I think the seperator drains back into the valve cover it is mounted on.

Scotty D2014 · 01-20-2016, 10:17 PM

Just remove it during the winter months & put it back on when it warms up !

ron123 · 01-21-2016, 07:03 AM

Also - the engine was certified without that separator on it; ... that is probably a reason why they have a disclaimer "For Off-Road or Track Use Only". In cold weather, below freezing, in some areas the separator system could probably (in rare cases) accumulate water droplets that could later freeze up and plug it up overnight.
OP I also lived on Cape Cod for many years ... this time of year use to walk over to Cape Cod Bay and look out and see nothing but ice all the way to the horizon ... looked like was standing at the North Pole.
Ron

01-19-2016, 11:40 AM	#1
CapeCruisin Daily Driver 24/7 365 Drives: '15 CRT 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cape Cod, MA Posts: 827	Camaro 1LE PCV Oil Separator Kit Winter Question So, I bought my 1LE used. The PCV Oil Separator Kit was installed already. It is not recommended for cold temperatures with ambient degrees under 32, nor is it recommended for "public roads". Why? Should I uninstall it? It takes literally like 5 seconds to pop off and put back on if I wanted to. Does GM recommend uninstalling it for cold temperatures just to cover their ass if something goes wrong? But what could go wrong? I've been driving with it on in the cold temperature for a bit of time now and haven't noticed anything. I even took it into the dealership for an oil change a week ago and they didn't mention anything (like they would, lol). Thanks Attached Images __________________ NPP Fuse Pull, Z28 CAI = Previous Rides: 2005 Magnum R/T A5 CAI, Cat-Back 2014 RRM Camaro 1LT/RS A6/NPP CAI Follow Me On Instagram!

01-19-2016, 12:23 PM	#4
GoldCartridgeGamer Drives: 2014 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 7,527	I put it on my 2010 L99 and it is a daily driver. Sits in a garage at night and in an open parking lot during day. No issues here. __________________ Phoenix (sold) 2014 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew How to hug your camaro Buy the car that you would most like to get beat in. The other guy will always be faster.

01-19-2016, 03:33 PM	#5
ForcFed93 Drives: 2001 2500HD Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 213	The problem, I think, is that in colder temperatures your car will likely never get warm enough to vaporize the condensation from the oil. That can lead to a build up of some sludgy looking stuff that probably could cause a problem with clogging the line to the intake. See here for pictures: http://ls1tech.com/forums/generation...-fill-cap.html __________________ 2001 ECSB 2500HD

01-19-2016, 03:49 PM	#6
GoldCartridgeGamer Drives: 2014 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 7,527	Thanks for that link ForcFed93. Was looking for it to show as an example. I think it affects those who have short drives and the engine doesn't get warm enough during the cold months. I let the engine warm (idle) for at least 5 minutes during these cold months before driving and I wait till oil temp gets to a decent temp before pushing it hard at all. Also my drive to and from work is plenty of time for the engine to warm. That is a key for some people I believe. Those that have a short drive, take a longer route or drive it a bit before going home. __________________ Phoenix (sold) 2014 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew How to hug your camaro Buy the car that you would most like to get beat in. The other guy will always be faster.

01-20-2016, 10:53 AM	#7
CapeCruisin Daily Driver 24/7 365 Drives: '15 CRT 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cape Cod, MA Posts: 827	So its sounding like GM put the 'winter warning' there to just cover their own butts JUST in case something weird happened. Nonissue I guess. Leaving it on then, huzzah! Thanks all. __________________ NPP Fuse Pull, Z28 CAI = Previous Rides: 2005 Magnum R/T A5 CAI, Cat-Back 2014 RRM Camaro 1LT/RS A6/NPP CAI Follow Me On Instagram!

01-19-2016, 11:48 AM	#2
1leWorksforMe Drives: 1le Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 328	I think its because there is a chance condensation can come into play. However, if your car is in a garage and never sits below 32 you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

01-20-2016, 08:11 PM	#8
StingATX Drives: 2015 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austin Posts: 19 View My Garage	Do you ever have to clean the stock OEM container? I know there is a difference between an oil separator and catch can - with the catch can needing to be emptied. What about the stock oil separator?

01-20-2016, 09:30 PM	#9
Mark T American Gold Whisperer Drives: 2014 White 1LE 2SS/RS/NPP/Rec/Nav Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 838	I think the seperator drains back into the valve cover it is mounted on. __________________

01-20-2016, 10:17 PM	#10
Scotty D2014 Drives: 2014 SS1-1le Crystal red metallic Join Date: May 2015 Location: Boston, mass Posts: 378	Just remove it during the winter months & put it back on when it warms up !

01-21-2016, 07:03 AM	#11
ron123 Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,053	Also - the engine was certified without that separator on it; ... that is probably a reason why they have a disclaimer "For Off-Road or Track Use Only". In cold weather, below freezing, in some areas the separator system could probably (in rare cases) accumulate water droplets that could later freeze up and plug it up overnight. OP I also lived on Cape Cod for many years ... this time of year use to walk over to Cape Cod Bay and look out and see nothing but ice all the way to the horizon ... looked like was standing at the North Pole. Ron