Thread: For those with "breathy" diesels and oily intercoolers

I’ve read all the threads (I hope) on the provent and been to their web site. Seems all like good stuff.

I’m curious from those members who did fit the provent how they feel they are working. I suppose in particular have you noted any reduction in the amount of oil contamination getting into the intercooler etc.

I’m thinking of getting one and using a catch can rather than plumbing it back to the sump?

Interested in anyone’s experience particularly for the TD defender.

On my disco 2 it's working great! I haven't plumbed the return line in yet, it's just a length of tube plugged at the end I periodically empty. Once the filter "wets out" and the oil starts to collect in the tube I get quite a bit out every couple of thousand Kms. Was a bit of a squeeze to fit it in a D2 with ace and a dual battery but I worked it out in the end!

Outlet port goes to where the engine breather used to return to (in front of turbo). Drain goes either to sump (below oil level at all times) or another return but with the check valve fitted. Or a "can" but it must be completely sealed.

Originally Posted by davros

.......Once the filter "wets out" and the oil starts to collect in the tube I get quite a bit out every couple of thousand Kms. .........

Thanks,


and curious are you still running the cyclone filter as well as the provent? D2 is the 300TDI I should have checked my original post as it should have read TD5.

Originally Posted by scott oz

Thanks,


and curious are you still running the cyclone filter as well as the provent? D2 is the 300TDI I should have checked my original post as it should have read TD5.

D2 is a TD5.

I helped Iggy fit one to his defender TD5. It was a very easy job. Some people have reported that it is slightly more difficult on a TDi defender.

Despite what M+H recommends, I have found that a catch can is fine for the drain if you maintain it regularly. On my 110 (4BD1T) I drove across the nullarbor, circumnavigated tassie, drove to sydney then back to perth before mine started draining. However after it starts you will get a steady flow of oil into the catch can.

For what its worth I tried to make one for my Intercooled Mitsu and the vapour still gets through it Have to pluck the intercooler every 20k and wash it out.
My 4DB1 T 120 runs an open vetilation to the left chassis ATM as I'm always terrified of any blow by and oil down the pots The open vent drops no oil but do see a mist at times. Amazing how it oils up an intercooler so quickly.

Originally Posted by Rangier Rover

For what its worth I tried to make one for my Intercooled Mitsu and the vapour still gets through it Have to pluck the intercooler every 20k and wash it out.
My 4DB1 T 120 runs an open vetilation to the left chassis ATM as I'm always terrified of any blow by and oil down the pots The open vent drops no oil but do see a mist at times. Amazing how it oils up an intercooler so quickly.

That is the problem. The mist is very fine, and highly diffusive, so will oil up an intercooler easily, but any catch can or separator you can knock up yourself won't do much.

You need extremely fine fibres to make a separator (filter) that works.

If you built a HUGE catch can made of small tubes (like an intercooler ), it would catch a reasonable amount of oil, but not as much as a filter.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

That is the problem. The mist is very fine, and highly diffusive, so will oil up an intercooler easily, buy any catch can or separator you can knock up yourself won't do much.

You need extremely fine fibres to make a separator (filter) that works.

I hear that. But in the case of the Mitsu finer fibers = crankcase pressure and blows the dipstick out at over 4000 RPM No its not worn out Yes is warmed up
Have been thinking I need a larger surface area for it to breath.

Wile I can get away with it I'll keep the 4BD1 open vented with its age Most of the rego inspectors here don't even know what it is anyway so don't go there