Oil catch can install? Seafoam?
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On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2016
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Oil catch can install? Seafoam? Hello, I just purchased an 01 TA with the LS1 and I'm about to do a full maintenance - fluids, filters etc.. I am hearing all of the stories about tremendous oil usage through the PCV valve and I am considering doing an ADD W1 catch can I saw on eBay. At $85 it's not cheap, and it appears to have nice feature like a dipstick and easy to remove oil container. As usual they come with that cheesy looking clear hose that looks like it belongs on a fish tank, along with all the fittings. Has anyone installed a can like this in the Camaro / TA and if so what bracket did you use? Any photographs of catch cans and improvements in performance? I am only going to street drive the car but I would get on it once in a while. I am also thinking about "Seafoaming" the motor, but with all the stories I hear of gunk in the valve area, I'm afraid to do a cleaning like that, for fear that it will potentially foul plugs, or damage the cylinders or valves. Thoughts?
1. mileage
2. vehicle use
3. has the engine ever been open (besides oil cap or valve cover)
4. do you see oil in the intake tract
5. have you inspected the pcv tubes for oil
6. do the plugs show any sign of oil
What do to:
1. do a compression test as you replace the plugs, WRITE THE NUMBERS DOWN. get the accurate as possible i.e. 134.5, 136.8, etc... use decimals even though it feels kinda dumb
2. If you don't find any oil in any of the ducts/tubes/intake then there is no need for a catch can. You can add one for just in case value (if something fails and oil comes gushing out it has somewhere to go) but adding length/plumbing to the pcv system will slow it down to some extent so it is only recommended to add if you need one.
3. Remember to use high quality fuel filter, and an OEM paper filter with the OEM intake duct if this is a daily driver with an engine you care about
And as to seafoam. Depends on many factors how effective it will be. IMO a better long term solution is to spray distilled water (with a meth/water kit) to help clean up the engine's insides. Seafoam is fleeting. Although it seems like it would remove some of the buildup, I feel like you would need 10 bottles of the stuff to do any real cleaning.
2. vehicle use
3. has the engine ever been open (besides oil cap or valve cover)
4. do you see oil in the intake tract
5. have you inspected the pcv tubes for oil
6. do the plugs show any sign of oil
What do to:
1. do a compression test as you replace the plugs, WRITE THE NUMBERS DOWN. get the accurate as possible i.e. 134.5, 136.8, etc... use decimals even though it feels kinda dumb
2. If you don't find any oil in any of the ducts/tubes/intake then there is no need for a catch can. You can add one for just in case value (if something fails and oil comes gushing out it has somewhere to go) but adding length/plumbing to the pcv system will slow it down to some extent so it is only recommended to add if you need one.
3. Remember to use high quality fuel filter, and an OEM paper filter with the OEM intake duct if this is a daily driver with an engine you care about
And as to seafoam. Depends on many factors how effective it will be. IMO a better long term solution is to spray distilled water (with a meth/water kit) to help clean up the engine's insides. Seafoam is fleeting. Although it seems like it would remove some of the buildup, I feel like you would need 10 bottles of the stuff to do any real cleaning.
