Thread: Oil in 300Tdi intake

Is there any reason you can't attach an oil catch can to the fire wall?

Out of the OE filter into the catch can then into the air intake stream.

Just check and drain it regularly.

Originally Posted by nice1guv

Is there any reason you can't attach an oil catch can to the fire wall?

Out of the OE filter into the catch can then into the air intake stream.

Just check and drain it regularly.

I assume you mean a catch can in the breather line??? The problem is the fine droplets which the breather cyclone cannot collect. A catch can won't help to remove these unless it is so large they can settle out gravitationally. For the finest droplets, the catch can would need to be the size of the engine bay...

Sure the fine stuff will get past it, but don't you think it would help stop larger oil contamination?
Especially if you put the filter up high, so that the airborne oil will have to overcome gravity to get past it, unlike now where it flows downhill from the OE filter to the turbo intake.

BTW: Does anyone know what one of the OE filters is worth for a 300Tdi?

Originally Posted by nice1guv

Sure the fine stuff will get past it, but don't you think it would help stop larger oil contamination?
Especially if you put the filter up high, so that the airborne oil will have to overcome gravity to get past it, unlike now where it flows downhill from the OE filter to the turbo intake.

BTW: Does anyone know what one of the OE filters is worth for a 300Tdi?

Depends how much of the contamination is what is termed "wall flow" and how much is aerosol-based.

I always thought the standard fitting was a cyclone, not a filter???

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Contrary to the above posts, it IS doing real harm. Oil laden with soot is well known for killing turbochargers in heavy diesels.

Just out of interest, how does this happen?

Originally Posted by jimbo110

Just out of interest, how does this happen?

The oil collects in the turbo, then evaporates, leaving behind soot and ash. Essentially forming grinding paste, which isn't good for turbocharger life.

I am not an expert on this area, but that is what my collaborators and the heavy diesel engine manufacturers they make parts for have told me.