catch can

Cleaning the air is not needed because the hot idle injector cleaning cycle burns the build up off like a self cleaning oven.

 

great. then take away in this thread is don't waste time and money on catch can for these engines. i was considering it before this (have taco 1 month now).

 

The reason it is not installed at the factory is because they are useless. Save your money, or waste your money, your call!

 

I'm no expert on the subject, but my understanding for the catch can was to remove the oil in the input air. In a direct injection engine, the fuel sprays directly into the cylinder, by-passing the valves.

In a port injected engine, the fuel is introduced before the intake valve, and thus sprays any residue from the valves, eliminating coking. That's where high detergent "Top Tier" gasolines come in. For the past 30+ years, it virtually eliminated the age old "valve jobs" required in older cars.

I know BMW and MINI engines had severe coking issues attributable to their direct fuel injection necessitating cleaning with crushed walnuts as early as 50K miles. Catch cans helped to capture the oil in the intakes and reduce the build up. The C7 Corvette guys debate this all the time. I believe the Camaro ZL1 actually has some form of factory "catch can" that dumps back into the crankcase.

As I said to open, I am no expert on this, but my understanding is that the port injection on the Taco should eliminate the need for a catch can.

 

I think I've given up on saving money. sigh

Anyone have a link to a kit? I've been doing similar setups to my harleys for years, I didn't realized recycled oily air was a problem on these engines as well, but I guess I should have know

 

Wait, why is everyone talking about fuel injectors and injector cleaning? All these catch cans do is stop your factory setup from dumping oily mist into the air intake. It doesnt have anything to do with the fuel injectors

 

It's not the injectors, it's the type of injection. Read my post above, #25.

 

Because there is practically zero benefit to it and no ROI

 

You'll get either the "it's a MUST HAVE add-on mod otherwise you're engine is going to melt before 100K" or the "it's a waste of your money" responses. From what I've read, it won't 'hurt' anything, you just need to be diligent with checking the fluid buildup levels often, they fill up fairly quickly.

 

Okay...but the 3.5 uses both port injection and direct injection...So where does that put us?

 

My understanding for Toyota including port injection is to spray the valves thus eliminating the coking issue, and therefore the need for a catch can.

 

Alright, I see where you are going with this now. My next question is; What is coking?

 

I can see having this on DI only engines but since ours are both port and direct injected, I think I'll pass.

 

Coking is the build up of burnt oil on the valves. The PCV valve contains oily vapors that leave deposits on the intake valves IF they are not cleaned by the intake charge of fuel that a port fuel injection system provides. Over time, the build-up will get so bad that the valves will not seat properly hurting performance.

 

So the dual injection, combined with maybe an injector cleaner every 10k or so plus some wide open throttle time makes a catch can pointless? But what about the quality of air coming in? The air can not be as saturated with...air...if it is sharing its volume with oil can it? Can't this small lack of air effect efficiency or performance in some way?

 

You can also google carbon buildup on DI engines and see some results. Warning, it won't be pretty.

 

Regarding injector cleaners; if you stick with Top Tier gas, you won't need them.

 

I believe it's irrelevant as the ECU determines the optimal fuel mixture based on the incoming air; i.e. the computer adjusts for any air density issues.

The injectors are in no way affected by what the PCV valve may capture and recirculate.

Because the Taco has port fuel injection, I do not see any need for a catch can. If it was solely direct injection, the argument could be made that a catch can could be beneficial in the long term. My Audi is DI, but no one seems to be screaming for catch cans. Like I mentioned previously, there are knock down, drag out fights on the subject with the Corvette C7 guys.

It's one of those "can't hurt" things, like changing your oil more frequently than called for.

 

I'm not sure what top tier gas is. I use regular unleaded, it's what the truck is programmed to run off of. Every station is go to is either a QT, shell, chevron, etc. Are there off branded gas stations?

 

Google "Top Tier gas". It has a higher level of detergents. Sold by the majors - Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, etc.