Oil Catch Cans any recomendations?

[Ivo]

Hi fellas, I have decided to fit an oil catch can/air separator to my T5 Multivan. There is a lot to choose from, are any better than others?

I have seen the Mann+Hummel Provent unit and it does look good but the cost of replacement filters is not cheap. Others just seem to be an empty can with nothing at all inside. I have also seen the cheap empty cans that have been filled with steel wool stuffed inside old stockings to help catch the oil.

Any suggestions, thoughts?

[Greg Roles]

In my opinion you need a specific hi flow oil catch can, diesel specific is even better. The typical Autobarn "Bling" can is nowhere near big / high flowing enough in my opinion. the Provent is designed for the application, and even then, you end up draining a fair wack of oil out of it. A normal catch can, and you'd be draining it every other weekend.

It is indeed silly dear, but it's cheaper than an EGR valve or throttle butterfly which Hi Torque recently had replaced due to crud, and thankfully under warranty given the $1000 price for the single part.

[Ivo]

I will pick one up this week. How long do the filters last?

[Greg Roles]

I'd approximate 30k's, mine was very oil soaked and letting liquid oil back into the inlet at 40k.

[Transporter]

I will pick one up this week. How long do the filters last?

I ordered 1 spare filter with my Provent. The filter can be cleaned, by letting the oil to drip off it, since the oil that goes throgh it is clean (at least on mine) and replace it when you see it's dirty.
I check the filter when I change engine oil. I remove whole Provent from the engine bay, drain the oil and wipe it dry. Don't wash it in kerosene or similar!

Provent instalation into T5.

[Greg Roles]

Yeah, I tried washing my first one, and it just isn't an option. Once it's had it, well it's had it. I'm planning on doing one every 25k.

[Ivo]

Just went to get one of these and they are sold out. New shipment is on its way and should be here in about 3 weeks.

[greygolf8]

I bought the last Provent in stock at Western Filters (Blacktown, NSW) today. They will have more stock in a week or 2. It was a good price too, so pays to ring around. Now to work out how to install it and what tubing to use.

[alex g]

if you design it i can build it for you, basically anything you want (ie size fittings filter connection)

[Greg Roles]

Look up the Provent design Alex, it's pretty cool, internal filter, big capacity, relief valve etc but at $200 or so, you could cash in with a diesel specific alloy can below this price!

http://www.westernfilters.com.au/docs/Mann_Pro-Vent.pdf

If anyone comes up with a good, neat way to plumb it, especially the tappet cover fitting, with a trendy earl's fitting type thing, let me know. It's the biggest challenge in my opinion.