View Full Version : Catch tank on a TDI Sport
Bondiblu
24-02-2009, 22:01
I don't like the way my SMIC is soaked internally in oil, so I'm looking into fitting a catch tank between the crank case breather and air intake. Has anyone done this already as I'm interested in how the tank would be mounted and how to do the pipe work. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
ibizadoyle
24-02-2009, 23:36
im interested in this to cos im having the same problem!!!
Quite a few of the mk3 guys have done it. Theres info in the mk3 forum.
and theres TDI specific ones been done in the TDI section, have a search back through.
Ultra_Joel88
25-02-2009, 10:58
I had it done for a while, but its difficult to get a system with a decent level of filtration AND free-flowing enough.
If its causing back pressure then in the long term it will cause more problems than it solves.
Currently removed mine while I work a new system out.
ballenapene
25-02-2009, 11:49
Not worth it IMHO is it? Whats the benefits? as I can think of alot of negatives.
Bondiblu
25-02-2009, 12:29
Not worth it IMHO is it? Whats the benefits? as I can think of alot of negatives.
Benefits will be helping to keep the turbo and Intercooler cleaner of oil from the crankcase breather, therefore running more efficiently, correct me if I'm wrong.
What negatives? Surely it's just a breather.
Ibiza 130 tdi
25-02-2009, 14:49
Tall-Paul on here has - or had one fitted to his Mk4 Ibiza Sport (hybrid). Have a word with him. :)
george130
25-02-2009, 19:21
Does the oil not serve as some form of lubrication?
(im clueless :lol: )
no, not within the intake system, it just serves to clog it up.
Ultra_Joel88
26-02-2009, 10:43
Negatives, if there is too much back pressure on the crank case vent valve then you'll start getting oil leaks all over the shop. Not good.
Mine was using a bit of oil after fitting so I've taken it off until I can work something more suitable out.
Mine was also vented to air, which stinks and I won't be doing again tbh.
You should have seen the amount of SHITE that it caught in about 3 months though!
My god.
ballenapene
26-02-2009, 14:00
So basically its worth doing on a TDi?
Bondiblu
26-02-2009, 16:44
So basically its worth doing on a TDi?
Personally I think it is worth doing on a TDI if done properly.
robepton
04-03-2009, 17:09
I've been looking at installing an oil catch tank for a while on me cupra tdi.
Merlinmotorsport have some that are made by MOCAL. They specialize in oil coolers pumps etc which me think that a bit more thought than most oil catch tanks has gone into. It also has a breather in the cap.
Not sure where to put in though. Thought about putting it under the air filter housing at the back but would rather have it higher up as i would think this would cause a restriction.
Another to options that i can see is either to make a bracket in order to attach it to the mounting points for the engine cover(removed) or to get a induction kit for the car in the hope that it will free up some space to put it.
Any input would be appreciated!
Ultra_Joel88
04-03-2009, 21:31
^ Most people mount them onto the bracket for the air intake which bolts to the slam panel.
engine cover wont fit on though.
robepton
04-03-2009, 23:23
Sounds good. I'll have another look tomorrow.
I assume mean just under where the pipe attaches to the bumper!?
Appreciate the advise.
Ibiza Dan
05-03-2009, 13:36
I have one on mine. It is trial and error im afraid. I used the stainless pan scourer wrapped in tights trick to add to the filtration (Stainless pan scourers in tight material then crammed in the catch tank)
1. Breather filter on top of catch tank.
Worked well for about 2weeks until the filter became clogged up and the smell in the car was not nice.
2. Removed filter and piped it back into the inlet, this made the car run a little bit sort of chuggy when on part throttle (.5bar or something) If i used half throttle it would clear (1bar).
3.Pulled the pan scourers out and they were clogged up to the max so must have been working but i think there was too much back presure in the system thus causing the poor running at part throttle. This could be solved by maybe less of them in there or just cleaning them out maybe weekly. But as its my daily car i just dont want the hassle of messing with it all the time. I am going to run it as it is for a while and see if it collects any crap in the bottom or not. If not then i will work on some other sort of filtration system.
I think the best option would be to not run a catch tank and just have a long pipe coming from the breather down to the ground somewhere out of the way, and just block the induction pipe.
Its not gonna be good for the enviroment and you may still get some smelly fumes in the car.
Hope all that makes some sense? and hope it gives some of you a head start.
Dan
robepton
05-03-2009, 17:51
Cheers Dan.
I'm sure i read somewhere if ya have a breather and a pipe back to your air inlet that the oil condensates better.
Ibiza Dan
06-03-2009, 11:05
Yeah im relying on the oily fumes condensing in the cold catch tank and then collecting in the bottom. Dont know how good this will work but we shall see over the next week or so i guess.
Ultra_Joel88
06-03-2009, 12:39
Dan, you've just outlined my personal experience of a catch can on my Fabia VRS perfectly.
My god, those tights catch some crap dont they?!
I'm going to do the same as you for now, just run it back to the inlet with no filter inside.
Bondiblu
06-03-2009, 12:50
Any suggestions on where to get a decent tank and whether they come with the hose and jubilee clips or not.
Ibiza Dan
06-03-2009, 17:54
Yeah mine runs so much smoother now it hasnt got the "filters" :whistle: inside it but they have cought so much crap. I may try and build in a partition into the tank so the fumes have to go down to the bottom and back up again instead of just in and out of the tank at the top.
robepton
06-03-2009, 20:11
Putting some baffles in sounds like an awesome idea Dan.
robepton
06-03-2009, 20:17
Any suggestions on where to get a decent tank and whether they come with the hose and jubilee clips or not.
I bought one from Forge Motorsport Last night because it's fairly small and comes with 2 different brackets.
I would buy one from someone who specialises in motorsport and avoid buying one of ebay unless it's got a decent brand name.
Ibiza Dan
08-03-2009, 11:51
I bought an ebay one because it was cheap but then i knew i would have to make a bracket to secure it in the engine bay, also i had to source some fittings for it and the correct hoses but i didnt mind doing that because i wanted it to look almost factory in the engine bay so would have had to get some black hosing anyway.
If anyone wants pics of my setup then just ask and ill try n stick a pic or two up.
Bondiblu
08-03-2009, 12:10
Yea, I'd like a pic or 2 please!!!
Ibiza Dan
08-03-2009, 12:32
No probs,
just gotta nip out for a few hours, ill post up some pics later today.
robepton
08-03-2009, 16:48
Fitted mine saturday. Just used some cheap hoses from b and q until i get hold of some decent ones. The outlet for the catch tank are 14mm and the engine breather is alot bigger.
So I'm not sure how I'm gonna connect it up and make it look like a professional job yet.
Any ideas?!
robepton
08-03-2009, 16:50
Apologies for stealing your thread a bit bondiblu.
Bondiblu
08-03-2009, 17:45
Apologies for stealing your thread a bit bondiblu.
No worries, thats what it's all about. We learn from each others experiences. So get yours done and post up, then I don't need to learn as much lol
Ibiza Dan
09-03-2009, 11:05
Ok people, Pics :)
This is how I had it originaly but the fumes comin the car didnt smell good at all and eventualy the filter became clogged.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/dandan156/Catchtank2.jpg
So now i have it going back into the inlet.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/dandan156/catchtank8.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/dandan156/Catchtank6.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/dandan156/Catchtank5.jpg
Oh yeah and what do you think of the bracket i made to hold the tank in place? [B)]
robepton
14-03-2009, 14:23
Here's a picture of mine.
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/robepton/Photo0005.jpg
Not posted pictures before so hope it works.
I used some clear pipes for the time being so that i can see what's happening. I've driven about 300 mile since I've had on and you can just start to see the oil coming down the first pipe. I think its gonna be a case of its just gonna drip down from the inside of the pipe onto the catch tank and I think it'll be along while before I notice the difference in performance. I'm expecting that the engine will be quieter because there'll be less pinking as well.
Bondiblu
14-03-2009, 14:29
Thanks for the update. Looking quite tidy. Please keep us posted.