Oil Catch Can - Surprised By Results

BlaineBug · April 7

I installed this oil catch can only 3,474 miles ago. It was installed 1,213 miles after the last oil change. I had not checked it until today when I did an oil change, and I was surprised to find that it was full, up to the treads! I can't imagine it was very effective if it was sucking in its own excrement. There was only a very small amount of "milkshake" at the very bottom of the catch can that was visible once I drained the contents. I use Kirkland Signature (Warren Distribution) 0w20, and this is a 2019 model year 5.3 AFM engine with nearly 69,000 miles. Thoughts?

Edited April 7 by BlaineBug

Grumpy Bear · April 7

Does this motor use oil?

diyer2 · April 7

There are many vehicles without catch cans that do fine. I prefer to have one. So many factors, temp, humidity, oil used engine condition etc.

I just prefer catching whatever it will instead of it going into the engine.

BlaineBug · April 7

11 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Does this motor use oil?

Have never seen it low at all.

TheRiver · April 7

Check it frequently if you live in "cold" climates. My Elite will be full in 4-500 miles of cold weather driving.

Grumpy Bear · April 7

4 hours ago, BlaineBug said:

Have never seen it low at all.

I asked as you mentioned:

5 hours ago, BlaineBug said:

There was only a very small amount of "milkshake" at the very bottom of the catch can that was visible once I drained the contents.

So, if it isn't moisture (milkshake) and it isn't oil (you're not using any) what do you think that considerable amount in a very short time is?

BlaineBug · April 7

36 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

I asked as you mentioned:

So, if it isn't moisture (milkshake) and it isn't oil (you're not using any) what do you think that considerable amount in a very short time is?

It has to be oil in that case, of course, but still unusual.

BlaineBug · April 7

43 minutes ago, TheRiver said:

Check it frequently if you live in "cold" climates. My Elite will be full in 4-500 miles of cold weather driving.

Yes, living in Chicagoland currently, although this winter was mild, with only that brief stretch with a -10 chill around January 10th. In progress of moving far, far south to the opposite extreme.

BlaineBug · April 7

44 minutes ago, TheRiver said:

Check it frequently if you live in "cold" climates. My Elite will be full in 4-500 miles of cold weather driving.

Funny, I noted JLT I believe it was recommended checking their separator/catch can every 10,000 miles! Of course they have a larger reservoir but not 3x+ as large!

BlaineBug · April 20

I just checked my catch can way early this time, only 428 miles post-oil change, and was surprised to find a bit of what appeared to be fresh engine oil (looked just about the same as the oil that went in, no water.) I did not measure it out, perhaps next time when I'm expecting it. For the last oil change I used 7 quarts 0W20 Kirkland Signature (Warren Distribution) and 1 quart Marvel Mystery Oil.

Edited April 20 by BlaineBug

TheRiver · April 22

On 4/20/2024 at 8:40 AM, BlaineBug said:

I just checked my catch can way early this time, only 428 miles post-oil change, and was surprised to find a bit of what appeared to be fresh engine oil (looked just about the same as the oil that went in, no water.) I did not measure it out, perhaps next time when I'm expecting it. For the last oil change I used 7 quarts 0W20 Kirkland Signature (Warren Distribution) and 1 quart Marvel Mystery Oil.

Seems to be working fine IMHO.

BlaineBug · April 22

28 minutes ago, TheRiver said:

Seems to be working fine IMHO.

Hope so, seemed to be more oil than what I would have expected for so little miles, also no frigid temperatures or short driving trips either.

TheRiver · April 22

In temps below 45-50*f or so is when I start seeing the milkshakes in my Elite CC. It doesn't need to be "frigid"!!!

In straight highway driving in those temps or lower; my CC will be full in 4-500 miles. In suburbia driving in those temps; I'll check my CC every 3-4 days...............especially if a lot of short trips where truck is shut off without coming up to full operating temps.

BlaineBug · April 22

8 minutes ago, TheRiver said:

In temps below 45-50*f or so is when I start seeing the milkshakes in my Elite CC. It doesn't need to be "frigid"!!!

In straight highway driving in those temps or lower; my CC will be full in 4-500 miles. In suburbia driving in those temps; I'll check my CC every 3-4 days...............especially if a lot of short trips where truck is shut off without coming up to full operating temps.

Milkshakes yes - but straight, clean oil??