RX catch can and VaraRam - alt mounting

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by SC2150

Checkvalve works fine in the cold as long as the engine compartment gets up to a decent temp, but since moisture will accumulate in the can with the oil if you try to drain it when below freezing outside it may not drain.

On the Nissan Titan trucks (these are installed on most every car & light truck you could imagine) in below freezing climates that have mounted them in remote locations several have found this to be a minor issue. Just drain when the engine has been warm and all is good.

Thanks. But I'm not sure the temps would ever be decent at 70 mph for 26 miles at 2 degrees.

And I think I can wait until the weather breaks before draining. But with the can where it's at now, I could drain it immediately after drivng for an hour. It wont be very hot over there.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by IndeedSS1

Thanks for that. Nomad planted the seed of doubt and I knew I would lay awake thinking about it. So...

btw Nomad I'm glad you pointed out the dip in the hoses. It's hard to tell from the pictures but there is a gradual rise with no place for potential pooling. It was 2 degrees on my way in this morning. Condensation could happen easily.
Tracy do you know how extreme cold effects the check valve operation?

Sorry about keeping you up at night. It wasn't my intention, of course.

I'm guessing by SC2150's responses that we have enough air velocity in the system to not worry about pooling. Good to know. Your picture definitely shows that although there is a rise in the hoses, there really isn't anywhere for the liquid to pool. Again, I like your install and will be doing something similar if my intake ever shows!

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Nomad

Sorry about keeping you up at night. It wasn't my intention, of course.

I'm guessing by SC2150's responses that we have enough air velocity in the system to not worry about pooling. Good to know. Your picture definitely shows that although there is a rise in the hoses, there really isn't anywhere for the liquid to pool. Again, I like your install and will be doing something similar if my intake ever shows!

After you mentioned it I checked and it was dipping slightly. I shortened the hoses, swapped which one was on top, raised them up out of a place I had them pushed down by the throttle body. I feel better about where they are now. Thanks.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by IndeedSS1

After you mentioned it I checked and it was dipping slightly. I shortened the hoses, swapped which one was on top, raised them up out of a place I had them pushed down by the throttle body. I feel better about where they are now. Thanks.

Nice to see something good came of it!
I've got another question. This is just for my information. Did you mount the can to the water bottle because:
a) you use the bottle and the WW fluid as a heat sink
b) the can is now in line with the air vent from the OEM intake duct location
c) it's a good location far away from the heat of the engine
?

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Nomad

Nice to see something good came of it!
I've got another question. This is just for my information. Did you mount the can to the water bottle because:
a) you use the bottle and the WW fluid as a heat sink
b) the can is now in line with the air vent from the OEM intake duct location
c) it's a good location far away from the heat of the engine
?

Yes you did good and I didn't lose sleep, other than wondering if I hooked everything back up after I closed the hood...I have issues LOL

A . I mounted the can to the water bottle, initially because there wasn't room in the designed location, I wanted to do something different, and not use the stock airbox bolt like my other can. After looking around for an available bolt already in use I came up empty...and then the washer bottle neck just made sense,,to me anyway. Oh and yes I do use my washer fluid.

B. No the can is connected to the PCV system. On my car (LS3) those connections are both right behind the throttle body. The center fitting on the can goes to the PCV nipple on the front of the valley cover. The outer most fitting goes to the nipple on the snout of the intake manifold. In stock form these to nipples are connected by a U looking hard line with quick disconnects...I hope I answered your question. as in I hope I didnt misunderstand.

C. yes it is a great location...but just happens to have the added benefit of being away from the engine and pretty close to where the stock air box duct would get it's cold air.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by IndeedSS1

Yes you did good and I didn't lose sleep, other than wondering if I hooked everything back up after I closed the hood...I have issues LOL

A . I mounted the can to the water bottle, initially because there wasn't room in the designed location, I wanted to do something different, and not use the stock airbox bolt like my other can. After looking around for an available bolt already in use I came up empty...and then the washer bottle neck just made sense,,to me anyway. Oh and yes I do use my washer fluid.

B. No the can is connected to the PCV system. On my car (LS3) those connections are both right behind the throttle body. The center fitting on the can goes to the PCV nipple on the front of the valley cover. The outer most fitting goes to the nipple on the snout of the intake manifold. In stock form these to nipples are connected by a U looking hard line with quick disconnects...I hope I answered your question. as in I hope I didnt misunderstand.

C. yes it is a great location...but just happens to have the added benefit of being away from the engine and pretty close to where the stock air box duct would get it's cold air.

Sorry, I didn't phrase my question very well. I meant it as a multiple choice question on why you chose the water bottle location. I wondered if it was getting any cooling benefits from the WW fluid or the air vent for the OEM intake and that's why you put it there. It seems practical to me as if the air is still coming through the OEM location it will cool the catch can as it passes over. That's what I meant by "in line". I knew I wasn't being clear. I'm blaming it on being Monday.

[IndeedSS1]

I knew I had it wrong.

A. was definitely not the reason so I wouldn't choose it.

B and C, potentially yes, but they were just a positive side effect.

The completely honest choice would be D. None of the above.

The motivation was to mount it in a location where it would fit, be somewhat blended in, and different than what I had already seen.

Oh and kudos to those that do stuff and share. You guys come up with some cool ideas and have skills. This sharing inspires me to try things as well. Unfortunately I'm not artistic nor creative, but it doesn't stop me from trying and most of the time failing. My hope with this catch can mounting is that the washer bottle neck doesn't snap off....wait a minute, what am I laughing at...

It won't snap off.

[Nomad]

I wouldn't worry about the washer bottle neck. I believe it can easily support the weight of the can as you have installed it.
I'm done asking questions until I get my intake and have to move my can to this area. Thanks for the idea and answering my questions.

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Nomad

I wouldn't worry about the washer bottle neck. I believe it can easily support the weight of the can as you have installed it.
I'm done asking questions until I get my intake and have to move my can to this area. Thanks for the idea and answering my questions.

I was kidding about the bottle neck. And you are welcome.

[IndeedSS1]

**UPDATE**. Something interesting that I found having the can mounted where it is and taking true advantage of the cooling potential. I drained the RX catch can after 300 - 600 miles and expected to have a little bit of oil drip out. What came out was a combination of a few drips of oil, about an ounce of water and a layer of what looked like cappachino foam. Yuck!!!

I think what this finding means is that with a can mounted to the engine in a hot zone, while trapping oil, there is still some nasty vapor getting back into the intake. I was going to take a picture of the ugliness, but wound up spill my lab samples on the garage floor yesterday.

Important to note here is that after mounting the can to the washer bottle the temps here dropped drastically. I drove about 150 miles in single digit temps and the rest of the time was spend under 28 degrees. Hot vapor killer temps.

I'll see if my next round of testing results in the same nasty drainage.

[ssmike]

Interesting! I also have issues with having butter fingers at times so don't feel bad! When I did the clutch reservoir mod I ended up spilling some of the brake fluid on the ground! Thankfully it was not near the car!

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by ssmike

Interesting! I also have issues with having butter fingers at times so don't feel bad! When I did the clutch reservoir mod I ended up spilling some of the brake fluid on the ground! Thankfully it was not near the car!

I got lucky and none landed on me or the car. Unfortunately, all I needed to do was change the batteries in the camera and I would have something to show.

Oh and one other positive thing to add to the new mounting location. The air going back into the intake is cold(er). That can't be a bad thing.

[CatiaJockey]

I wish they would have made it easier to gain access to the area in front of the radiator. I tried to remove that black plate and gave up. Thanks for posting results!

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by CatiaJockey

I wish they would have made it easier to gain access to the area in front of the radiator. I tried to remove that black plate and gave up. Thanks for posting results!

If you hide it too well it may be hard to drain. Oh and that plate you are talking about. If you look under the DIY for Heritage Grille install you will see how to remove that cover... and it looks easy...once soemone elese posts pictures.

During the winter in cold climates, I'd certainly empty the can more often when mounted like this.