Still Not Sold On A Catch Can? Check Here...

crushNchowda · December 22, 2015

Maybe you should tell Audi and Ford they just need seafoam because they are removing the heads to walnut shell blast the carbon off right now....

Enjoy that added expense when you hit 100,000 miles.

I'll concede that the DI engines would probably create more buildup in the top end of the engine vs traditional EFI, but again...nothing a can of sea foam or the occasional can of octane booster/engine cleaner can't cure.

I have not heard of these rumors regarding Audi and ford...but also not really reading up on those brands much either (although I have to admit I really like some of the Audi cars these days)

At the end of the day to each his own, but if it was something necessary the factory would have installed it- similar to urea filter on a diesel....similar analogy no?

20SierraL8T24 · December 22, 2015

For those of you who use (or planning to use) seafoam or the CRC cleaner, your cats will plug up and you will get check engine lights. My brother just had the dealer clean the top end of his silverado with 30k miles and they used GM's version of this cleaner. Needless to say, a week later both of the cats had to be replaced because they were plugged up. The only way to truly prevent (slow it down) carbon buildup is with a can and cleaning the valves by hand.

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moosehead1 · December 22, 2015

Not putting on a simple catch just to apply Seafoam after the fact, is like having a cardiac stent surgically installed instead of reducing your cholesterol with a simple change in diet.

Simple, cheap PM.

fondupot · December 22, 2015

For those of you who use (or planning to use) seafoam or the CRC cleaner, your cats will plug up and you will get check engine lights. My brother just had the dealer clean the top end of his silverado with 30k miles and they used GM's version of this cleaner. Needless to say, a week later both of the cats had to be replaced because they were plugged up. The only way to truly prevent (slow it down) carbon buildup is with a can and cleaning the valves by hand.

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Hmm....idk about that....unless the cleaner they used unclogged SO much carbon deposits that it clogged the cats.

Edited December 22, 2015 by fondupot

amxguy1970 · December 22, 2015

Maybe you should tell Audi and Ford they just need seafoam because they are removing the heads to walnut shell blast the carbon off right now....

Enjoy that added expense when you hit 100,000 miles.

That is an assumption based off another brands engine. In no way do you have any idea if it will have problems at 100k (there are multiple 2014 trucks with high mileage already and haven't had any issues). Based off your thinking, you can enjoy the added useless expense you were conned in to by a marketing?

Tyler

Hmm....idk about that....unless the cleaner they used unclogged SO much carbon deposits that it clogged the cats.

Agreed, I think this was a random coincidence...

Tyler

SMiller · December 22, 2015

Not putting on a simple catch just to apply Seafoam after the fact, is like having a cardiac stent surgically installed instead of reducing your cholesterol with a simple change in diet.

Simple, cheap PM.

I give up, some just don't get it and that's fine.

For those that think Audi or Ford having this issue and GM won't, there is no difference in the design, a DI motor is a DI motor, there are NO differences, some have been having this issue for a while and the reason is because they have been using the DI motor a lot longer.

Do I think a catch can will 100% solve this problem NO but I think it will slow it down 90% which will probably be how long I have the truck.

iversun · December 27, 2015

I've got about 20k on my 2014 truck.... too late to add one?

krdeal · December 27, 2015

I'll concede that the DI engines would probably create more buildup in the top end of the engine vs traditional EFI, but again...nothing a can of sea foam or the occasional can of octane booster/engine cleaner can't cure.

I have not heard of these rumors regarding Audi and ford...but also not really reading up on those brands much either (although I have to admit I really like some of the Audi cars these days)

At the end of the day to each his own, but if it was something necessary the factory would have installed it- similar to urea filter on a diesel....similar analogy no?

You can't add anything to the fuel system to correct this problem. Your fuel system no longer goes down this path as the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. Only fresh air and that age old PVC system go down this path now in DI engines. PVC oil has been around forever, it wasn't an issue until DI engines came around. All these folks talking about there past experiences mean nothing if it was not a DI engine they are comparing to. This is a new issue, even though catch cans have been around for ever.

glcbn · December 28, 2015

I've got about 20k on my 2014 truck.... too late to add one?

Beginning to think the same thoughts with 32,000. Damage is probably already done.

Edited December 28, 2015 by glc

Jeff5347 · December 28, 2015

I'll jump in on this. I had a catch can on my previous car. A 2003 maxima. I always was cleaning it out. I had taken off the upper intake and it was littered w oil. After the cc maybe a slight film in the intake. It never stopped the oil going by but reduced it dramatically. The cc def helps. If you are already running 87 octane and the oil residue is seeping in as well it causes many problems. On the older engines gas was thru FI or a carb. So gas was at least cleaning the valves and runners constantly. With a DI engine it is just a constant air and PVC oil. When that oil hits a hot valve it starts to coke. After many thousands of miles that coking builds up to thicker and thicker layers restricting airflow which in turn kills mpg, efficiency and will make the engine feel weak. I've used the seafoam but that was on the maxima that the cats were gutted on so it just eventually went out the exhaust but the way these new engines are any little thing done wrong can kill sensors, cats, ect and then your up a creek. I think a catch can is a safe way to maybe not prevent but at least slow many problems. Rather spend some cheap money now than have to pull heads, valve and such to clean what could be prevented.

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Danimal13 · December 28, 2015

For those who did add the elite engineering catch can on the 6.2L, did you also add the clean air oil separator also? Seems like this isn't needed as much as the catch can itself. Also, anyone's dealership give them flak for having this installed?

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amxguy1970 · December 28, 2015

I give up, some just don't get it and that's fine.

For those that think Audi or Ford having this issue and GM won't, there is no difference in the design, a DI motor is a DI motor, there are NO differences, some have been having this issue for a while and the reason is because they have been using the DI motor a lot longer.

Do I think a catch can will 100% solve this problem NO but I think it will slow it down 90% which will probably be how long I have the truck.

This is why internet info needs to be taken with a grain of salt when people say something without prior knowledge or research. There is a difference between DI motors, specifically ones that are designed from the get go as a DI motor and those that are adapted. Most of the early issues you have seen with DI carbon build up have come from those that adapted DI to a non DI motor. Audi had some of the worst issues.

Many engineers have stated repeatedly software tuning is a larger combatant of carbon buildup than anything else as optimizing length of time the valve is in the cylinder, when the gas is injected, valves opened, spark fired, ect. The number of recent issues is quite small and nothing to determine a pattern for those sporadic issues that do come about.

http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-archive/2011/06/direct-injection-fouls-some-early-adopters.html

http://www.underhoodservice.com/direct-injection-engines-develop-carbon-deposits/

Is a catch can a help, sure. How much, that is debatable. Don't put your eggs all in one basket.

Tyler

Edited December 28, 2015 by amxguy1970

wurgs · December 28, 2015

For those who did add the elite engineering catch can on the 6.2L, did you also add the clean air oil separator also? Seems like this isn't needed as much as the catch can itself. Also, anyone's dealership give them flak for having this installed?

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I have catch can only. Have had my truck in twice for oil changes since adding mine and only thing service advisor said was he has been seeing a few more people using them and asked how I liked it.

Tek74 · December 28, 2015

JDP Motorsports has the standard Elite Engineering catch can for $150 shipped, so I ordered one a few weeks ago. I'm at 3,800 miles on my 2015 (5.3L), and just installed it, which went fairly easy, especially after watching a couple You Tube videos. I'm not sure how much it will help, but I intend to keep my truck for 10+ years, so the extra peace of mind is nice. Now my lady is considering one for her 3.6L Equinox, which also has a DI engine.

http://www.jdpmotorsports.com/brands/elite-engineering/elite-engineering-pcv-catch-can-2014-2015-chevy-gm-truck-suv-5-3l-6-2l-cc-5000b

crushNchowda · December 28, 2015

You can't add anything to the fuel system to correct this problem. Your fuel system no longer goes down this path as the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. Only fresh air and that age old PVC system go down this path now in DI engines. PVC oil has been around forever, it wasn't an issue until DI engines came around. All these folks talking about there past experiences mean nothing if it was not a DI engine they are comparing to. This is a new issue, even though catch cans have been around for ever.

So you don't know what sea foam is or how it works then I take it?

You put it in the engine oil, in the fuel, AND in the PCV/vacuum line as well- and yes, it does work.

In fact you don't get the same deep cleanse effect unless you feed about 1/4 to 1/3 do it through the vacuum line