Catch tank on a TDI Sport

Bondiblu

Enthusiast
Mar 18, 2007
1,648
1
Cheshire
I don't like the way my SMIC is soaked internally in oil, so I'm looking into fitting a catch tank between the crank case breather and air intake. Has anyone done this already as I'm interested in how the tank would be mounted and how to do the pipe work. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
 
Mar 8, 2007
831
0
I had it done for a while, but its difficult to get a system with a decent level of filtration AND free-flowing enough.

If its causing back pressure then in the long term it will cause more problems than it solves.

Currently removed mine while I work a new system out.
 

ballenapene

Guest
Not worth it IMHO is it? Whats the benefits? as I can think of alot of negatives.
 

Bondiblu

Enthusiast
Mar 18, 2007
1,648
1
Cheshire
Not worth it IMHO is it? Whats the benefits? as I can think of alot of negatives.


Benefits will be helping to keep the turbo and Intercooler cleaner of oil from the crankcase breather, therefore running more efficiently, correct me if I'm wrong.

What negatives? Surely it's just a breather.
 
Mar 8, 2007
831
0
Negatives, if there is too much back pressure on the crank case vent valve then you'll start getting oil leaks all over the shop. Not good.

Mine was using a bit of oil after fitting so I've taken it off until I can work something more suitable out.

Mine was also vented to air, which stinks and I won't be doing again tbh.

You should have seen the amount of SHITE that it caught in about 3 months though!

My god.
 

robepton

Practical performance!!!!
Dec 27, 2008
110
0
peterborough
I've been looking at installing an oil catch tank for a while on me cupra tdi.

Merlinmotorsport have some that are made by MOCAL. They specialize in oil coolers pumps etc which me think that a bit more thought than most oil catch tanks has gone into. It also has a breather in the cap.

Not sure where to put in though. Thought about putting it under the air filter housing at the back but would rather have it higher up as i would think this would cause a restriction.

Another to options that i can see is either to make a bracket in order to attach it to the mounting points for the engine cover(removed) or to get a induction kit for the car in the hope that it will free up some space to put it.

Any input would be appreciated!
 
Mar 8, 2007
831
0
^ Most people mount them onto the bracket for the air intake which bolts to the slam panel.

engine cover wont fit on though.
 

robepton

Practical performance!!!!
Dec 27, 2008
110
0
peterborough
Sounds good. I'll have another look tomorrow.

I assume mean just under where the pipe attaches to the bumper!?

Appreciate the advise.
 
Jul 23, 2008
720
0
Manchester - UNITED
I have one on mine. It is trial and error im afraid. I used the stainless pan scourer wrapped in tights trick to add to the filtration (Stainless pan scourers in tight material then crammed in the catch tank)

1. Breather filter on top of catch tank.
Worked well for about 2weeks until the filter became clogged up and the smell in the car was not nice.

2. Removed filter and piped it back into the inlet, this made the car run a little bit sort of chuggy when on part throttle (.5bar or something) If i used half throttle it would clear (1bar).

3.Pulled the pan scourers out and they were clogged up to the max so must have been working but i think there was too much back presure in the system thus causing the poor running at part throttle. This could be solved by maybe less of them in there or just cleaning them out maybe weekly. But as its my daily car i just dont want the hassle of messing with it all the time. I am going to run it as it is for a while and see if it collects any crap in the bottom or not. If not then i will work on some other sort of filtration system.

I think the best option would be to not run a catch tank and just have a long pipe coming from the breather down to the ground somewhere out of the way, and just block the induction pipe.
Its not gonna be good for the enviroment and you may still get some smelly fumes in the car.

Hope all that makes some sense? and hope it gives some of you a head start.

Dan
 

robepton

Practical performance!!!!
Dec 27, 2008
110
0
peterborough
Cheers Dan.

I'm sure i read somewhere if ya have a breather and a pipe back to your air inlet that the oil condensates better.
 
Jul 23, 2008
720
0
Manchester - UNITED
Yeah im relying on the oily fumes condensing in the cold catch tank and then collecting in the bottom. Dont know how good this will work but we shall see over the next week or so i guess.
 
Mar 8, 2007
831
0
Dan, you've just outlined my personal experience of a catch can on my Fabia VRS perfectly.

My god, those tights catch some crap dont they?!

I'm going to do the same as you for now, just run it back to the inlet with no filter inside.
 
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