DIY: Make a PVC Catch Can for your PCV System

[TomO]

This won't be one of my best DIYs simply because I didn't take pictures while I made it. You should be able to get the gist of it enough so that you too can make a PVC PCV System Catch Can! :D

Things You'll Need:


(QTY 1) 1 1/2" (or 2") PVC pipe (I bought a pre-cut 2' section from Home Depot)
(QTY 1) 1 1/2" NON-Threaded Cap (2" if you are using 2" PVC)
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/16b8b816-853e-4fcc-a4e8-45ba6c6d390f_300.jpg
(QTY 1) 1 1/2" THREADED cap (2" if you are using 2" PVC)
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/472aa78e-1808-4b1f-8474-c398a22b9dd6_300.jpg
(QTY 1) 1 1/2" Male Threaded End (2" if you.... oh you get the idea by now about the 2" stuff)
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/225d8b52-f70f-4804-9b80-c01ec6e4d776_300.jpg
(QTY 2) 1/4" NPT (Male) Barbed ports (air compressor fittings)
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/e842d239-d248-4976-b10e-8fcda41d5bf6_400.jpg
(QTY 2) 1/4" NPT (female) to BSPT (Male) 90° adapter (Can't find a picture yet)
PVC cleaner and glue
Drill and drill bits
3/8" Fuel/Emission hose ~3'
JB weld
(QTY 1) Stainless steel scrub pad

What To Do:
Cut your section of PVC pipe down to about 9"
http://www.thelic.org/tomo/PCV7.jpg

Clean and glue on the NON-Threaded cap to one end and the threaded end on the other end of the cut pipe:
http://www.thelic.org/tomo/PCV6.jpg

Drill two holes in the threaded cap just large enough to screw in the 90° adapters, then screw in the barbed fittings:
http://www.thelic.org/tomo/PCV9.jpg
http://www.thelic.org/tomo/PCV10.jpg

Cut a chunk of the rest of the PVC pipe off that is roughly 1" wide and 3" long. JB weld it in between the fittings inside the threaded cap:
http://www.thelic.org/tomo/PCV8.jpg
(This serves to divert the incoming air so the stainless steel scrub pad has a chance to help remove the oil droplets as well as helping to hold the brass fittings in place)

Let the JB Weld setup

Paint the Catch Can (optional):
http://www.thelic.org/tomo/PCV12.jpg

Install hoses and place the entire scrub pad down into the tube assembly you made earlier:
http://www.thelic.org/tomo/PCV11.jpg

Install in a high point (higher than the engine block) in the engine compartment (I zip tied mine up next to the brake master cylinder for now):
http://www.thelic.org/tomo/PCV13.jpg


Not the Best DIY but it was cheap as I had the JB weld and PVC cleaner and glue already. The PVC components were less than $6.

Feel free to post comments and questions here. :thumbup: :D

[SVOboy]

That sucker is huge!

Looks nice though, :thumbup:

[TomO]

As far as catch cans go, it's not so big really. I used 1.5" PVC and it's only ~11" overall length.

[zpiloto]

As far as catch cans go, it's not so big really. I used 1.5" PVC and it's only ~11" overall length.

Thats nice. the only draw back I see opposed to the home depot one is that you can't tell how much is in it without taking it off.

[TomO]

Thats nice. the only draw back I see opposed to the home depot one is that you can't tell how much is in it without taking it off.

True, you can tap and install two 90° elbows top and bottom with a clear tube to indicate fullness.

It's pretty easy to just reach under and unscrew the bottle and check as well.

Mine has been on for just over a month now and has only a few drops in it. this was better than my Husky Moisture filter I used from the DIY cheap catch can thread on here before. With the OEM style PCV back in the car, the higher vacuum was allowing some of the oil residue through the smaller catch can.

[Silveredwings]

Nice article with great illustrations.

[cfg83]

TomO -

Thanks for the DIY on this and the VX PCV valve. The pictures help A LOT.

CarloSW2

[LarryClapp]

Another idea would be to use a Drain Cock on bottom and just open it to drain off the bottom. If there is none then how much work did it take you to find out there wasn't anything there?