Back in June 2018 I fitted a Man Hummel ProVent oil catch can to our Amarok. Since then I’ve had a few people asking me how we have been getting on with it and has it actually ‘caught’ anything.
If you haven’t a clue what I’m on about here’s a link to the original two posts…. Catch Me If You Can… and Catch Me If You Can Pt 2
I fitted the ProVent to our VW Amarok when it had done about 8000 miles (12,800Km) and we have now done just over 13,000 miles (21,000Km) a great deal of it towing. I opted initially to drain the ProVent every 600 Miles (1000Km) and the first three each time I got about half a cup of slightly oily water. It was clear like water but when rubbed between your fingers it felt ‘slippy’ a bit like baby oil. I did notice that one draining that covered two long tows up to the Lake District what came out was slightly darker, still about the same quantity though. However I did notice on the last draining I had more of a dark oil content as a separate layer in the lighter clear ‘oily water’. Watching the video below I did find out that this is normal. The filter that is in the ProVent takes a few hundred Km to start working properly, first catching the condensate and then once the filter is saturated does it start to catch and drain the heavy oil.
I did recently remove the hoses on the intercooler (inlet and outlet) just out of curiosity and the interior from what I could see was still clean, with only a light covering deposited from the first 8000 miles (13,000Km) of running without a catch can fitted.
So how much have I got out?
Well in the first 5000 miles (8000Km) I have now filled an old 500ml 2 stroke oil container and just started on my second. I’ll continue to drain at the 600 mile mark. Although I must admit I now drain it before a long towing trip and again when I return home. It only takes about a minute and doesn’t require any tools so really is one of those tasks that is easily accomplished with the minimal of effort. Hopefully this will keep our engine in tip-top condition and not start to suffer from the oily carbon build up that saps power and is prevalent in all diesel engines.
Here’s an excellent video from the guy’s at 4WD Action with probably the best explanation I’ve seen so far on the net… (Video (c) 4WDAction.AU)
It seems to be a very good idea however is there any point in fitting a Catch can to our Jeep CRD that has already done 50k miles?
Hi Ian
I guess that is depending on how long you want to keep the vehicle. If it’s going to be another few years then in my opinion yes.
If you are willing to clean the intake system and manifold then definitely yes. You will be surprised at the difference in performance and fuel economy too just by simply cleaning out the intake path.
Thanks Simon. From time to time I used Millers diesel additive and assumed that cleared out a lot of the muck. The vehicle is just over 6 years old with 50k on the clock as has been regularly serviced by Jeep since day one. We do plan to keep it as long as possible which is why I always look after my vehicles.
I will probably have to pay to get it fitted as the Jeep engine bay is not the easiest to navigate around plus arthritis in my hands and wrists don’t help either. LOL! Gone are the days of servicing my Ford Anglia, Cortinas and Zodiacs! 🙂
Interesting project and something I am planning on my current diesel vehicle, the pro-vent is a little large for my 1.6 engine but I noted that smaller units are now available as are ‘fake units’ which look and almost behave like the real thing. I have a couple of questions regarding your install , is the check valve needed in the drain if it’s not going back into the sump and do the long hoses create back pressure in the system. I don’t know if you have seen the ‘elephant hose mod’ on the internet, this seems a little extreme and maybe illegal for the UK roads. Great post and thanks for a detailed install.
Hi Steve
Mann Provent do a smaller unit to the one I fitted for smaller engines so that might be worth a look at. I can recommend Mann Provent as a manufacturer over some of the other offerings.
I don’t have a check valve in my install. At the bottom of the Provent on the drain outlet I have about 370mm length of hose terminated with a ball valve. I simply open the ball valve and drain the contents of the hose into a container every few hundred miles or before and after a trip towing the caravan. Looking at what comes out it is a mix of oil and a lighter fluid I’m not sure I’d really want that going back into the sump.
I don’t think any larger diameter of hose would make much difference. The crank case has positive pressure and the turbo inlet has a slight negative pressure so everything seems to keep flowing well. I’m not sure how a longer hose would create back pressure.
With regard to length of hose, it was explained to me that there might be some advantage as the hot gas from the crank case has chance to cool on the way to the Provent and allow more oil vapour to condense on the filter element and again as the gas exits, it has chance to further cool before it enters the turbo inlet.
One thing that the pro tuning guys try to do is get the coolest air possible entering the turbo…. so I guess there might be something in it as I’m not introducing hot gas into that cool airflow.