LS3: oil catch can excessive fill-up?!

[Bluebagger06]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

If that's the case then I don't think I would put the factory set up back together unless you want all that oil in your intake. I just don't know how those cheap catch cans work compared to like a mishimoto or something similar. Not to bash the one have or anything just don't know how they compare you know? You definitely have a problem. You do know that they pcv stuff is under the valley cover right? So the only thing I can think of is maybe the pcv stuff under you valley cover isn't working correctly. Pull your oil cap off while it's running and see if you have air being pumped out. It should have a light suction to it if anything.

Yep thats what i was saying that all that oil will go into intake with stock connector. I think he has other issue! I run a Evil Energy , which is a cheapy, And i just checked it for first time in couple months and it had about 3 ounces in it. From what i seen the difference in a name brand expensive one and one like mine is, expensive is plug and play with hoses and mount . Mine you have to fabricate everything , which i think was pretty easy!

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

If that's the case then I don't think I would put the factory set up back together unless you want all that oil in your intake. I just don't know how those cheap catch cans work compared to like a mishimoto or something similar. Not to bash the one have or anything just don't know how they compare you know? You definitely have a problem. You do know that they pcv stuff is under the valley cover right? So the only thing I can think of is maybe the pcv stuff under you valley cover isn't working correctly. Pull your oil cap off while it's running and see if you have air being pumped out. It should have a light suction to it if anything.

Yeah, I was referring to the u-shaped plastic connector, that goes to the intake manifold and engine block. It does definitely make me concerned to know how much oil is being sent up to the intake manifold.

I double-checked the plastic connector, and it definitely had oil in one of the ends (I can’t remember to which). I’ve used intake valve/engine top cleaner, bur I doubt that really helped to clean the intake manifold… although the first time I did it, a good amount of smoke did burn off and come out of my exhaust.

As of now, I continuously have to pop the hood weekly and empty the stupid catch can. The lines and everything all seem good; so at this point, I’m gonna assume that it might be an issue with the engine valley cover(?) (baffles?), or maybe something to due with the design of the oil catch can filter. It’s a replica of a genuine Mishimoto but I’ve got no clue.

If there’s nothing serious that can happen, I’ll try reversing the threaded fittings on the oil catch can itself tomorrow. I can’t remember which is the outlet or inlet, and instructions don’t specify/list anything; so this is gonna be a “semi-educated” experiment… lol

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by TheBrightSide

Yeah, I was referring to the u-shaped plastic connector, that goes to the intake manifold and engine block. It does definitely make me concerned to know how much oil is being sent up to the intake manifold.

I double-checked the plastic connector, and it definitely had oil in one of the ends (I can’t remember to which). I’ve used intake valve/engine top cleaner, bur I doubt that really helped to clean the intake manifold… although the first time I did it, a good amount of smoke did burn off and come out of my exhaust.

As of now, I continuously have to pop the hood weekly and empty the stupid catch can. The lines and everything all seem good; so at this point, I’m gonna assume that it might be an issue with the engine valley cover(?) (baffles?), or maybe something to due with the design of the oil catch can filter. It’s a replica of a genuine Mishimoto but I’ve got no clue.

If there’s nothing serious that can happen, I’ll try reversing the threaded fittings on the oil catch can itself tomorrow. I can’t remember which is the outlet or inlet, and instructions don’t specify/list anything; so this is gonna be a “semi-educated” experiment… lol

Don't forget like I said to check your oil cap for pressure.

[TheBrightSide]

So, I did my research once again, and don't know how I didn't catch it before. I did notice someone bringing up aftermarket valve covers, and it started making sense. The LS3 surely doesn't have a PCV system to begin with, and TONS of people with the LS engines and other 5.3, 6.0, and 6.2's were having excessive oil blow-by on both the automatic (AFM/DOD-equipped) and manual variant of these GM engines.

I also figured that my cheap(er) knock-off version of the Mishimoto oil catch can, probably also didn't have some sort of better filtration system. I actually don't really know if oil catch cans have check-valves or something of the sort; although I know that the high-dollar catch cans I see on Camaro5 usually do the trick, without very many issues..

I went back to the Holley aftermarket valve cover installation manual, and found part numbers for external in-line PCV valves; to which all of the parts from then were now discontinued or succeeded with newer part(s) numbers. I started looking into some universal-looking PCV valves, since I looked up that running check valves weren't going to satisfy the oil blow-by safety by much. Seems like I can simply run any in-line PCV valve with a 3/8" inlet/outlet.

Does anyone know where I should route it? I figured I could either add it somewhere in the INLET section of oil catch can hosing, which goes to the intake manifold. I thought at first to install it somewhere along the OUTLET section of the catch can routing, but wasn't too sure. I also plan on returning a generic valley cover I bought, which came with a AFM/DOD delete styled block-off valley cover, and did not have the necessary valley cover port that my OEM one does.

I don't think it would be necessary to check my engine valley cover gasket (kinda lazy and also afraid to find out). I also figured that it would've been dumb to try to plug the valley cover and try to route my outlet routing towards the driver side valve cover; which supposedly has a revised GM part number for the L99 and other LS and LS-styled V8 engines. I think I wouldn't benefit from installing the revised driver side valve cover, as I mentioned I have an LS3, and will be sticking to whatever/however my car came with.

[TheBrightSide]

I ended up installing an in-line PCV valve, which was pretty much the recommended solution for all LS3 and similar GM V8 engines suffering from excessive oil blow-by. I didn’t have room and was too lazy to route it down at the valley cover port (driver side valve cover port if L99/automatic, DOD-AFM equipped), so I ended up routing it right before the port to the threaded outlet fitting on my oil catch can.

I couldn’t find any decent ones that were external or 3/8” in size; even this Beck & Arnley one (P/N #: 045-315) seemed to be just cheap/affordable plastic, with a check valve inside. Unless it’s OEM or something for a specific application, I wasn’t able to find any in-line, proper metal, spring-loaded PCV valves… Although I guess this was designed a BIT better than any plain plastic check valve (is metal any better?).

I’ll update in about a week or so, or 2 weeks, when my clutch hydraulic issue (as of yesterday) gets fixed. I’m pretty hopeful; even more so since I think the PCV valve was smaller in diameter than the rest of the hosing and ports to my oil catch can.

[AlisoBob]

Let me get this right....... you buy a oil catch can set-up to catch any oil from entering the intake manifold..... But you think it's doing the job too well.

So now your trying to engineer some kind of homebrew "fix" to limit the amounf of oil it collects to bring it down to something you consider reasonable?

You also buy a Mishimoto clone, instead of the real thing to save $5.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by Bluebagger06

Yep thats what i was saying that all that oil will go into intake with stock connector. I think he has other issue! I run a Evil Energy , which is a cheapy, And i just checked it for first time in couple months and it had about 3 ounces in it. From what i seen the difference in a name brand expensive one and one like mine is, expensive is plug and play with hoses and mount . Mine you have to fabricate everything , which i think was pretty easy!

I remember you and I having a discussion on the Evil Energy Catch Can when I installed mine and posted pics. It is doing the job it was meant to do and I agree it surely was an easy install. The hardest part for me was getting the old PCV valve out. As of now.. I have less than 1/4" of oil in my catch can since I installed it 6 months ago.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by AlisoBob

Let me get this right....... you buy a oil catch can set-up to catch any oil from entering the intake manifold..... But you think it's doing the job too well.

So now your trying to engineer some kind of homebrew "fix" to limit the amounf of oil it collects to bring it down to something you consider reasonable?

You also buy a Mishimoto clone, instead of the real thing to save $5.

You must've not followed the thread, or decided to just read the main post..? I clearly am dealing with an abnormal amount of oil blow-by, and I happened to find this through installing an oil catch can. I figured that since others have gotten away with the same engine/car and running an even cheaper oil catch can, that my application is probably not doing enough, or the oil blow-by issue is clearly way out of pocket (my main assumption).

If you look through the aftermarket engine valve covers (like Holley), or research the revised driver side engine valve cover (equipped with PCV) for the 2011+ Camaro L99; you would know that the automatic 5th gen SS' don't deal with this particular issue as much, unless the factory PCV setup (driver side engine valve cover) is not functioning properly. Thus, you can put the same logic towards an LS3 and assume that abnormal/excessive oil blow-by (that's not a result of worn piston rings or other issues), might require a really well fltering oil catch can, or have an in-line PCV valve setup that the L99's use.

I guess if you were right about anything, then it would be the fact that my PCV valve is a "band-aid" fix. I'm still eventually looking to see what the issue might be. Although the more I look, it seems that forced induction/boosted applications for these LS and other similar GM V8 engines; causes blow-by on about the level I experienced or a bit less, depending on how hard/often they drive, and other factors..

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

I remember you and I having a discussion on the Evil Energy Catch Can when I installed mine and posted pics. It is doing the job it was meant to do and I agree it surely was an easy install. The hardest part for me was getting the old PCV valve out. As of now.. I have less than 1/4" of oil in my catch can since I installed it 6 months ago.

I forget how the PCV is routed in the RS (V6) models. Are they set up differently for the LLT (10-11) and LFX (12-15) RS models? I also believe the AT and MT both have PCV systems equipped in them.

I remember one of my friends having a 2005-2007 (can't recall the exact year model) Cadillac CTS, and the GM V6 in it was too small and had to be drilled out, as a DIY measure to reduce crank case pressure. Apparently, if you don't and the crank case pressure builds up, or the PCV valve gets clogged or stuck, you're gonna start seeing oil burning issues and other things happening...

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by TheBrightSide

I forget how the PCV is routed in the RS (V6) models. Are they set up differently for the LLT (10-11) and LFX (12-15) RS models? I also believe the AT and MT both have PCV systems equipped in them.

I remember one of my friends having a 2005-2007 (can't recall the exact year model) Cadillac CTS, and the GM V6 in it was too small and had to be drilled out, as a DIY measure to reduce crank case pressure. Apparently, if you don't and the crank case pressure builds up, or the PCV valve gets clogged or stuck, you're gonna start seeing oil burning issues and other things happening...

I'm not sure on the differences between the LLT and the LFX's but yes you are correct. I had to drill out a bigger hole in the new PCV valve to open it up better. The old original one in place had the smaller opening. Pic below and link to my thread....


https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622510

[morepowerjoe]

I'm guessing that you've never seen the bottom of your valley cover correct? The reason I know this is because you should have a pcv system under it.
https://www.carparts.com/details/Che...ll%20-%20Parts

[AlisoBob]

Originally Posted by TheBrightSide

I clearly am dealing with an abnormal amount of oil blow-by, I'm still eventually looking to see what the issue might be..

Yes, thats where you should focusing. On the cause.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

I'm guessing that you've never seen the bottom of your valley cover correct? The reason I know this is because you should have a pcv system under it.
https://www.carparts.com/details/Che...ll%20-%20Parts

Well, damn, I guess I missed my research, bc I kept thinking that those were either for DOD/AFM equipped GM V8 engines only (or L99). I’m guessing this valley cover is the LS3 specific one, since the L99 has a PCV valve built into the driver side valve cover (as well as revised baffling under the valve cover)?

I kept seeing the DOD/AFM delete engine valley cover block-off plates and got confused about how the stock PCV systems worked. Yeah, so then it probably is something to do with engine valley cover/PCV system (through the engine valley cover) then..?

The engine valley cover gasket didn’t look like it would cover or help with the PCV system on the valley cover itself, which also led to my initial confusion about the root of my oil blow-by issue.

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by TheBrightSide

Well, damn, I guess I missed my research, bc I kept thinking that those were either for DOD/AFM equipped GM V8 engines only (or L99). I’m guessing this valley cover is the LS3 specific one, since the L99 has a PCV valve built into the driver side valve cover (as well as revised baffling under the valve cover)?

I kept seeing the DOD/AFM delete engine valley cover block-off plates and got confused about how the stock PCV systems worked. Yeah, so then it probably is something to do with engine valley cover/PCV system (through the engine valley cover) then..?

The engine valley cover gasket didn’t look like it would cover or help with the PCV system on the valley cover itself, which also led to my initial confusion about the root of my oil blow-by issue.

That's why I was telling you to check your oil cap for pressure to know if you have blow by from your rings.