TJC
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Tony
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2020
- Threads
- 13
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- 1,450
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- Location
- North Carolina
- Vehicle(s)
- 93 Miata, 05 Ranger 4x4, 20 Ranger 4x4, 23 CX-5
- Thread starter
- #1
I have recently purchased and installed the UPR Dual Valve Catch Can and after driving it for several hundred miles I began to notice the smell oil vapors when walking past the front drivers side corner of the truck. I checked the can and there was maybe .3 ounce of oil in the can, enough to puddle when I angled the can.
Later in the day I was driving and noticed the faint smell of oil in the cab coming through the air vents when first starting the truck up. As soon as I was moving the smell dissipated.
I checked everything out and the can and hoses are installed correctly, so I placed a call to UPR and asked them about it. I was thinking maybe that there was a loose connection at the catch can fittings. The fittings move up ~ 1/8", but this seems normal on all three fittings.
Anyway, Alex answered my call and asked me it I had the 2 valve system. I answered yes. He explained that it is to be expected as the vapors can travel down the hose to the filter elbow and exit via the intake track. So this is considered to be working as designed. I asked about the check valve in that line limiting oil vapors from escaping the system, as I assumed that the check valve was only open during boost conditions. He repeated that the vapor can escape from that hose if oil was in the can. I did find it curious that the smell was coming from the can vicinity, and not the intake opening.
So armed with UPR's explanation, I tested the theory by removing the second line from the catch can and the intake elbow, and capped the ports. I drove the truck for over an hour, parked it and did the sniff test - no oil vapors present.
I have three obvious issues with this design:
Has anyone else noticed this problem? I have a hard time believing that I am the only person to notice this.
Does anyone have any thoughts or solutions? I am open to all ideas.
- Tony
Later in the day I was driving and noticed the faint smell of oil in the cab coming through the air vents when first starting the truck up. As soon as I was moving the smell dissipated.
I checked everything out and the can and hoses are installed correctly, so I placed a call to UPR and asked them about it. I was thinking maybe that there was a loose connection at the catch can fittings. The fittings move up ~ 1/8", but this seems normal on all three fittings.
Anyway, Alex answered my call and asked me it I had the 2 valve system. I answered yes. He explained that it is to be expected as the vapors can travel down the hose to the filter elbow and exit via the intake track. So this is considered to be working as designed. I asked about the check valve in that line limiting oil vapors from escaping the system, as I assumed that the check valve was only open during boost conditions. He repeated that the vapor can escape from that hose if oil was in the can. I did find it curious that the smell was coming from the can vicinity, and not the intake opening.
So armed with UPR's explanation, I tested the theory by removing the second line from the catch can and the intake elbow, and capped the ports. I drove the truck for over an hour, parked it and did the sniff test - no oil vapors present.
I have three obvious issues with this design:
- Letting oil vapors escape into the atmosphere is a "No No", that is why we have PCV systems in the first place. I don't think that this design will pass a smog test.
- I don't like breathing oil vapors while cruising in my new Ranger, even for just a little while.
- I don't like smelling oil vapors in my garage while walking in front of my Ranger.
Has anyone else noticed this problem? I have a hard time believing that I am the only person to notice this.
Does anyone have any thoughts or solutions? I am open to all ideas.
- Tony
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