Advice Sought on Adding an "Oil Catch Can"

[Taber10]

On my 2007 Caterham 7 SV with Ford Zetec SVT motor, I have never-since 30 Oct 2007-noticed any oil leaking from the hose connected to the rear of the valve (rocker) cover.  After two recent drives--182 and 195 miles--I found a small amount of oil on the garage floor under the hose.  After much ridicule from my British car club associates--apparently a "leak" the size of a quarter is not considered significant to the MG/Triumph/Mini crowd! --I have purchased a really neat Oil Catch Can with input, output, mesh vapor collector, breathing filter and dip stick.  

NOW I need some advice on where to mount it:  Does it need to be lower than the outlet from the valve cover?  Is there any particular place that other Zetec owners have used?

I have searched the forums, and read everything that came up, but mostly applies to "dry sump" systems, States with emissions requirements and CSRs with nothing specific to my car.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Taber

[IamScotticus]

 

I don't have a Zetec so I can't suggest an exact location. But Ive had a oil catch can/oil separator on my personal vehicle.

These things can be condensation traps because they house or circulate hot air while a flow of cool air surrounds the can creating condensate in the can.

I removed it when it was collecting more water than oil.

Therefore I would try to avoid placing it in a direct air flow area like the frontal area.  Further back like foot well mounted perhaps.

Hope this helps.

Edited November 10, 2022 by IamScotticus

[MV8]

The can location can be high or low if it won't be configured to auto drain back to the engine. The can should have a clear path to drain with a pan close to the port or hose so as not to make a splash, spraying oil drops everywhere. There should be a block vent on the exhaust side as well as the valve cover vent. Hoses should be compatible with hot oil, like automatic transmission hose. They will still have a shorter life than typical hoses and will need replacement when they get stiff/hard.

A leak under the nose sounds like something else. A cleaning followed by a shorter drive should help locate the source of the leak.

I'd probably fit a basic, quart can with a small filter on top, quick release drain valve just above the bottom chassis rail in the corner opposite the exhaust (curb side) and connected to the valve cover with metal line down the block or firewall and compatible rubber hose as needed. I'd drain it when checking the oil. If there is seepage around the filter on top (maybe from cornering splash and too full), it needs draining.

 

[CarlB]

I have a Zetec and I mount mine on the engine compartment side of passenger foot well. If you would like to eliminate the sheet metal filter on the exhaust side of the block Quicksilver Racengines in Frederick Maryland has a part to eliminate it. If you eliminate the block breather your engine can't have much blowby.   

[Taber10]

Thanks to the guys who provided useful information, which I took to my British car club, and the "resident experts" installed the can.  Pictures attached.

[jbcollier]

The first question to ask is why is it leaking oil?

 

I had an engine with an aftermarket valve cover that was pumping oil out the breathers.  At first I put a catch can on it, at least the oil wasn't hitting the ground anymore.  I then got to looking and found there wasn't an adequate oil separator built into the valve cover.  I made a SS tank with a hole in for each breather and a single air out the top.  Put copper mesh between the two inlets and the outlet.  I had room to put it above the valve cover so any oil that condenses out just drains back in.  Oil consumption went from a 1/2 litre in 1K to zero.

 

Just food for thought.