Haven't seen too much lately on the Alta catch can and other catch cans out there being offered. I understand that there was an issue with the Alta fitting later '03 cars.......Has this been rectified or are there still installation problems? Any other brands out there that work? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.... :smile:

Anyone?????? :roll:

Good point, was looking or trying to find some current info on these also.

:roll:

You can find info if you do a search...however, there are some problems with the Alta fitting. I do not know if this has been rectified and are there other brands out there?? Hopefully someone will post and let us know..... :roll:

With Catch Can's...

I had a problem fitting, but had to create my own bracket. Finally got that in. Now on a large turn recently, The fluid caught went back into the system causing a CEL, and the car to run in limp mode. Had the tools to fix it, but Scared me. It was a sensor malfunction that caused the CEL from the fluid from being injested.

That wouldnt happen if the catch can was baffled.

--
Cheese

That, or in line one way check valves.

... or if there wasn't a catch can installed at all.

or if you didnt corner so hard.

Or if you took the time to check the level and empty it when needed.

Guess that proves the catch can does work with regards to keeping oil out of the intercooler.

I'd buy the catchcan if it came in simple black and aluminum or just plain aluminum, I'm trying to avoid the red/blue barbie engine-bay look. If anyone has a suitable solution to this and it costs similar to what the Alta piece does, please let me know.

Just received an e-mail from Alta...They now include a mounting bracket with the catch can for the multiple positions BMW has moved the stud! :roll:

ZAMIRZ...perhaps if you e-mail Alta, they can help you with your color request.

Last week Randy told me that the Alta Catch Can comes with brackets to allow mounting in 04 MCS. Also available in black and red. Would you believe I asked him if I could get red can with black hose lines :grin: Great guy that Randy.

I just got my catch-can from Randy. It took like 3 months due to a supply problem from Alta. The can comes with two sets of directions an 03 build and a regular. The new location of the can is under the cowl scoop by the DSC. It also has like 3 different mounts with it. I have a June 03 build but I still seem to have the bolt from the older car and may try that mount( I have not done the search yet to locate what was changed and if I can mount it here or not. ) on my inspection the bolt was there. Also in the instructions it states to check level of oil at each fill-up (gas) to prevent it being sucked into anything

I really don't like the idea of mounting the Alta Can in the cowl area or anywhere that is higher than the intercooler. Doubt it will function very well by having to blow the oil residue up hill. Perhaps Randy could comment on that.

Check out this link for an easy how to on making your own catch can out of an aluminum water bottle. Cheap and easy.
integra.orcon.net.nz/catchcan
Dan

Could you check and post that web site address again MSN can't seem to find it."how to on making your own catch can out of an aluminum water bottle. Cheap and easy."

Thanks

sanddan...Please post website again.....it does not go through.......Thanks! :grin:

This is also the area that the siren mounts for the MINI alarm system. If you have the alarm installed, you can't install the catch can here. You are back to stage one with fabricating your own bracket to mount it elsewhere.

Cheers,

JD

Does this work?

http://www.integra.orcon.net.nz/catchcan :roll:

I have an 02 MCS but my oil catch can came with the bracket which would position the can correctly if the grounding bolt had been fore or aft of center. It was an easy installation except that the Alta instructions are crummy...I wouldn't have routed the hoses correctly without additional instructions others had posted...

I was surprised, though, that when I cleaned my intercooler before installing the can I got very little oil residue--with 20K miles, I expected more...I haven't driven far enough to expect to see any thing in the can yet...guess some cars, or some driving styles, may need it more than others, but I figured I'm in this car for the long haul (I hope)

>>Does this work?
>>
>>http://www.integra.orcon.net.nz/catchcan :roll:

Having installed the ALTA can, I can't see why it woudn't work. You'd just need to get the materials: (you'd want a shorter can than in that post for the MINI )

the can
the hoses
the hose nipples, a t connector and the connectors between the engine hoses and the new hoses to your can (in the alta installation, these connectors were reducers)
a mounting bracket if your ground bolt isn't isn't centered
...I have a grounding bracket I didn't need -- free to a good home postage cheap

The only thing from that site to use is the idea of creating your own can...you may even want to install the hose nipples on the same side of the can,depending on where you mount it...from there on, just treat it as a catch can...I'd want to mount on the grounding bolt myself, not in the cowl...

I'm sure you could a nice job inexpensively...I do like the thick aluminum lid to my catch can, however, and for me the time it would have taken me to put it collect the right stuff was worth cost of the kit. I'm sure thats not the case for everybody...

If you do it, post a picture!

can someone tell me the diameter of the hoses, inside and outside?

I like this catch can:
http://www.ross-tech.net/andy/mini/c...stcatchcan.jpg

Hope thats a clear plastic hose going into the Pepsi can and not a braided stainless line :eek: as the hose is real close to the pos. battery terminal. :eek: :eek: