Oil blow by

[Chris Ware]

I have a 2000 Mustang GT w/ 4.6L 2V, 86k miles, and I installed a new pcv with new valve covers as Ford dealership wanted $9.04/EA for valve cover bolts X 26 bolts. So I opted with an aftermarket option from TF that was $20 more, but came with new cast alum covers, gaskets, and more traditional hardware. I also installed a Steeda oil separator, and I’m curious as to what is normal for the amount of oil that is being deposited in this things reservoir? I just wanted to give the big picture of what I’ve done so far. Also the oil doesn’t flow through the shrader valve freely in order to drain it, any tips for that?
I’m averaging about a tbs of oil in two weeks and some oil on the outlet end of the PCV. Could it be the baffling isn’t as effective in the aftermarket covers? Or does this warrant going further and doing a compression test? Car runs strong, or are there some other steps I can take before I throw money at a compression gauge. Thanks for your help.

Attachments:

• Enginepic111515.jpg
• Catchcan.jpg

Topic

[James O’Hara]

You are going to have some oil. The way it works in big rigs is you have a oil separator normally by spinning the oil out of the air and it drains back into the oil pan. Basically the catch can you installed is doing the same thing only it is not draining back into the oil pan. As for it putting out a lot of oil I really do not think that is too much especially if you are driving it a fair amount. Before people go oh your putting dirty oil back in when you do it the way i stated it gets filtered by your oil filter. It basically is an emissions device. It gives you slightly better fuel economy helps keep your intake cleaner, if you are not road drafting it, and it is better for the environment because the oil is staying in the vehicle and you can actually route the filtered crankcase air back into your intake. They normally do this a little before the MAF/MAP so it is calculated by the computer but, it also means if it bypasses or you do not get all the oil/particulates out because the drain/filter gets clogged with small solids in the oil it will make it so you have to clean your MAF/MAP or possibly replace it. The oil normally drains back to the pan by using a floating ball. It gets pulled over towards the opening when almost all the oil is drained out. This blocks it off so you do not get excessive pressure in the oil system and blow seals or the dipstick tubes/fill cap off and spew oil all over.

Not saying it is a bad modification just most people do not understand the complexity of it and even rarer in the auto world the way it can clog and fail. When it does especially if you have a turbo or supercharger it can make things a real gd mess. As it will cause the entire intake to get covered in oil and smoke in an auto possibly even choking it out or hydrolocking the engine causing broken piston rods or crank, if not taken care of properly. In a diesel it can actually cause it to run away, If the gas engine gets hot enough it can actually do the same though it is much much rarer. It also makes it so you have to clean out any intercoolers or charge air coolers, the piping for them, the turbo or supercharger and the intake. Then also run an additive to clean up the extra carbon and distillates on the pistons in a gas engine. In most diesels that just burns off because of the excessive heat and pressure. It also will clog EGR coolers if your vehicle has them which can cause them to fail and dump coolant into your intake also possibly hydrolocking your engine. Though if it doesn’t hydrolock it it will do a decent job of cleaning the carbon off the valves and cylinders. Btw, I see these kind of failures all the time on big rigs because no one ever services the spinning filters often enough.

So ya without you listing how far you are driving it, whether the engine is cold or not, and the fact that it is aftermarket it is really a hard question to answer. I would say it is more then likely normal though.

[Chris Ware]

I do understand I will have some oil, just curious as to how much. Like you mentioned, doesn’t seem like much. I asked Steeda, the manufacturer, and they automatically started insinuating something was wrong with the car in the form of “you should do a compression test, or have you ever done a leak down?”
The Ford engineers by design decided that burning any vaporized oil to meet standards, by running it from the PCV, and directly back into the intake manifold at the base of the plenum. It’s just my baby, I don’t run it at the track, or anything like that. I’ve always wanted a mustang, and finally got one. I’ve read about several cleaners and considered doing seafoam through the plenum, and see what will break loose. All that crud settling on the valve seats, pistons and other less desirable places for sure is not doing the engine any good.
The engine other than upgraded injectors and plenum/throttle body is bone stock btw, I probably drive about 30 miles or less a day depending, but avg would be about 30-ish.

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