Why do you need an oil catch can? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Eric870 · 04-18-2009

This is a newbee question,

What do you need a oil catch can for? I asking because I have a 1990 and every time I step on the gas I get a puff of Blue smoke and I was wondering if a oil catch can will help.

Thanks
Eric

LGAFF · 04-18-2009

West Coast Answer: Greener Planet

Real Answer: Stops oil (Vapor)from being sucked into the plenum through the PCV system. Sucking oil into the engine is not good for performance, your 90 has smoke because there are no valve seals on the exhaust valves....changed in 91.

jonszr1 · 04-19-2009

plus oil makes for tons of detenation . causing the knock sensor to pull timing to stop it..when you pull your plenum just lookinside the manifold .its scary how much oil is in it.

Aurora40 · 04-19-2009

If you ever pull your plenum off, you'll see why. A few tablespoons of oil will probably pour out of it. Enough that it doesn't seem good.

If you get a puff of smoke when you get on it, perhaps you aren't getting on it often enough?

Ccmano · 04-19-2009

Other than the valve stems and the PCV system, oil is also pulled into the intake from the oil vents that go from the heads to the injector housings. When the head to injector housing bolts get loose (they all do) and the gasket gets old and dried up, oil gets sucked in straight across the gasket. I was shocked when I pulled my injector housings to see all the oil. Ever since I put in new gaskets and retorqued the bolts the oil smoke has largely disappeared. I do however still plan to put in a catch can.

H

XfireZ51 · 04-19-2009

=Jeff= and I were discussing this just the other day. He bought a catch can and I held off in doing so. I pulled my
plenum last night just because I had nothing else to do and decided I'm getting a catch can. I don't recall ever seeing that much oil in my Xfire manifold like I see now. Were the LT-1s and L98s like this?

bobbyhi · 04-19-2009

If this is the "thing" to do I would suggest that someone list the materials needed to and how to install. I know that there are threads out there that do expain but they are scattered about. Just one thread with everything needed including where to hook everthing up

USAFPILOT · 04-19-2009

I agree...I get a puff when I start it...i never noticed it but my brother saw it the other day. Maybe it is one of these problems...but a very minor one indeed.

04-18-2009	#1
Eric870 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland OR Posts: 173	Why do you need an oil catch can? This is a newbee question, What do you need a oil catch can for? I asking because I have a 1990 and every time I step on the gas I get a puff of Blue smoke and I was wondering if a oil catch can will help. Thanks Eric

04-18-2009	#2
LGAFF Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 7,194	Re: Why do you need an oil catch can? West Coast Answer: Greener Planet Real Answer: Stops oil (Vapor)from being sucked into the plenum through the PCV system. Sucking oil into the engine is not good for performance, your 90 has smoke because there are no valve seals on the exhaust valves....changed in 91. __________________ LGAFF 90 #966-150K miles-sold 92 #234-sold 1987 Callaway TT #17 1991 ZR-1 #1359

04-19-2009	#3
jonszr1 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: lone pine and mammoth lakes Posts: 1,407	Re: Why do you need an oil catch can? plus oil makes for tons of detenation . causing the knock sensor to pull timing to stop it..when you pull your plenum just lookinside the manifold .its scary how much oil is in it.

04-19-2009	#4
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Re: Why do you need an oil catch can? If you ever pull your plenum off, you'll see why. A few tablespoons of oil will probably pour out of it. Enough that it doesn't seem good. If you get a puff of smoke when you get on it, perhaps you aren't getting on it often enough? __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

04-19-2009	#5
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,852	Re: Why do you need an oil catch can? Other than the valve stems and the PCV system, oil is also pulled into the intake from the oil vents that go from the heads to the injector housings. When the head to injector housing bolts get loose (they all do) and the gasket gets old and dried up, oil gets sucked in straight across the gasket. I was shocked when I pulled my injector housings to see all the oil. Ever since I put in new gaskets and retorqued the bolts the oil smoke has largely disappeared. I do however still plan to put in a catch can. H __________________ 90'ZR-1 #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold 08 C6 Z51 Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold 05 C6 Z51 Red/Black Sold 90'ZR-1 #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten 91' Z51 L98 White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold.

04-19-2009	#6
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,708	Re: Why do you need an oil catch can? =Jeff= and I were discussing this just the other day. He bought a catch can and I held off in doing so. I pulled my plenum last night just because I had nothing else to do and decided I'm getting a catch can. I don't recall ever seeing that much oil in my Xfire manifold like I see now. Were the LT-1s and L98s like this?

04-19-2009	#7
bobbyhi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mendota Heights, MN. 55120 Posts: 984	Re: Why do you need an oil catch can? If this is the "thing" to do I would suggest that someone list the materials needed to and how to install. I know that there are threads out there that do expain but they are scattered about. Just one thread with everything needed including where to hook everthing up __________________ Bob Anderson 1990 #2405 White/Gray Haibeck chip,4:09 gears,Power Effects Exhaust,5 spoke chrome,C5 brakes,49th Street rockers,K&N,Hurst,Headers,Upper & lower ported Minnesota State Director Founding Member #19

04-19-2009	#8
USAFPILOT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spring TX Posts: 1,348	Re: Why do you need an oil catch can? I agree...I get a puff when I start it...i never noticed it but my brother saw it the other day. Maybe it is one of these problems...but a very minor one indeed.