R53 Drivetrain :: Oil Catch Can How-To
11 Attachment(s)
Hello. I decided to install my OCC today after reading many many threads over and over again about doing so. Please keep in mind, I've never done this before, and I was in a hurry.
Tools Required: 30Torx bit Screwdriver File Drill Knife or other device to cut with Parts Required: 3-4ft of Automotive Tubing (3/8" in diameter) 4 Clamps to fit over the tubing Of course, the OCC itself! Here is a pic before anything was done. Attachment 164634 Step 1. ***NOTE: This step is ONLY if you are mounting the OCC in the passenger cowl vent*** First step, you will need to drill two holes a little bit bigger than the diameter of the tubing in the passanger cowl vent. The larger holes allow a little bit of movement for the tubing, just incase they need to move. After you drill the holes, if your drill bit was too small like mine was, you are going to have to file out the rest of the holes. Just file the holes until the tubing fits with some extra room. It will look like this: Attachment 164635 Step 2. Now that you have the holes drilled, you will move onto the fun part, taking everything apart! :razz: First, you will need to remove the IC cover. This is very simple. Remove the 4 Torx screws on the corner's of the IC cover. Once you have the IC cover off, you will be able to see the IC itself. Attachment 164636 Step 3. Now you will have to take off the IC itself. To do this, unscrew the 4 bolts on each boot. Note* Do not remove the bolts completely. I did this and put the IC boot on backwards, which was not good and through me into limp mode!* Once those clamps are lose, push the IC over to the passenger side. Once it's over, you should be able to push it back (toward the back of the car) and up. The IC now should be out. Attachment 164637 Attachment 164638 Step 4. Now that you have everything off, it's time to run the tubing. First, you need to take off the grey line that connects to the PCV valve. Just let that sit for a miniute. You'll come back to that. Now, as you can see, there is nothing going to the PCV valve. Well, now you need to took up a piece of tubing that runs from the OCC to the PCV valve. Once it's on, clamp it down tight like this: Attachment 164639 Step 5. Ok, now back to the grey line. With the grey line, you'll see that it has a bent piece of rubber on the end. You can either leave this on or just pop it off. I chose to pop it off. Now, take your second piece of tubing (you might have to cut your tubing in half like I had too) and run that from the OCC to the grey line. Place it over the grey line and clamp it down like this: Attachment 164640 After you have that done, the two lines should look like this: Attachment 164641 After that, your done! Just put everything back together, and watch the oil fill up. I hope people will enjoy this how-to. I know doing the OCC is easy, but I was lost today while trying it and really wish there was one. If I missed ANYTHING, or messed up somewhere, PLEASE tell me ASAP. Edit* Here is an updated version! :razz: with my new M7 OCC installed, and in a different location! :nod: Attachment 164642 Attachment 164643 Attachment 164644 -Cody :thumbsup: |
Thats an excellent how-to. Its also the FIRST I have seen for an OCC. I vote for it to be added to the how-to sticky! :thumbsup:
Nice work. I dont see any problems! :wink: |
Thanks. I would love this to be a sticky, but I want everything to be correct! :lol:
-Cody |
Originally Posted by polizei
I hope people will enjoy this how-to. I know doing the OCC is easy, but I was lost today while trying it and really wish there was one.
I think there is an OCC how to floating around out there but it also included inctructions for fabricating the CC itself. Perhaps PM Randy and ask that he add this to the list of performance how-tos for easy locating. Nice work:thumbsup: |
Thanks. Are you talking about Randy from WMS? Sorry, I'm a bit lost. :roll:
-Cody |
Good Job! Sometimes, even the easy mods aren't so easy without a bit of instruction. I'm sure this how-to will help others.
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I hope it will. As you know, I was lost while trying to do this and screwed up a couple of times. I thank you Joe for helping me out! I had to go to work and was stressing out until you helped me!
THANKS! -Cody :thumbsup: |
If you want the most benefit from an OCC install you have to have the other vent hose connected.
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Originally Posted by ScottinBend
If you want the most benefit from an OCC install you have to have the other vent hose connected.
-Cody |
There are two hoses from the valve cover. The PVC one and one on the drivers side. The one on the drivers side is connected to the intake above the throttle body.
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Oh. That hose for me runs to a breather filter because I have a HAI. I also found that the diameter is different between that valve and the diameter of the hose, so you would need someway of fitting that. And also, don't you only need to do that if you took up two OCC's? Why would you need to if you're only running one?
-Cody |
You can run both lines to the OCC as I have done (check gallery). But with your setup the breather is probably the best way to go. This line does carry some vapor, so it is not a good idea to leave it connected if you want to eliminate all vapors from the intake path.
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Ahh, gotcha. I see now. Thanks...my main thinig is just to keep oil out of the IC better than before (which was nothing) so anything would help. I think I'll leave the breather filter on now, because I really don't feel like messing with it again. :lol:
Thanks for the advice though. I'll probably switch that out when I do the VGS mod or get a new ALTA CAI. Btw: What would you suggest to clean out the IC? When I had it off, I didn't have the time to spray it down and let it dry out....but over 50k miles, the IC was SOAKED in oil, so I hope to clean this out when I do some mods (pulley and VGS) so I can keep things clean. I'm also waiting on an M7 OCC. :razz: -Cody :thumbsup: |
Use a can or so of brake cleaner. Doesn't take long too dry (especially if you have a compressor handy.....lol)
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Sweet, I have brake cleaner, and a compressor. :razz:
Hopefully I'll get around to it soon. :lol: -Cody |
How often do you empty your catch can?
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I've only emptied mine once, and that was at 50k. I haven't had to empty it since, and I'm at 55k now. If you install an OCC you should be able to see the level via an indicator tube on the side.
-Cody |
Thanks polizei. With only 23k on my 02 I guess I don't have to worry about this for awhile.
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You can clean it out if you want, but honestly I wouldn't really worry about it... if you do, just make SURE the IC is dry before re-installing.
-Cody |
I check mine every month and empty as needed. It depends on the driving done as to how much is in the cans.
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this thread is awesome. i recently won an M7 OCC but it didnt come with install instructions. Thanks!
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No problem, glad I could help some! Thank the other members of NAM though because they are the real people behind it.
-Cody |
Hi,
I just got my M7 OCC and im gonna install it during the weekend... but im concerned about the gray line.. since m7 does not ship the can with a coupling for it (gray line)... does it fit correcly in the occ hose? could it slip off?? or a leak?... thanks! just wanna make sure itll be safe to do that!!! |
It should just slide into the OCC line and then you can use a small hose clamp to keep it in place. It is under vacuum so it would probably stay in place without it. Are you going to hook-up the other line to the can also?
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Like Scottinbend said, it would probably be fine, but I clamped mine down just to make sure. I would advise you to do the same.
-Cody |
Originally Posted by ScottinBend
(Post 1838738)
It should just slide into the OCC line and then you can use a small hose clamp to keep it in place. It is under vacuum so it would probably stay in place without it. Are you going to hook-up the other line to the can also?
Originally Posted by polizei
(Post 1839354)
Like Scottinbend said, it would probably be fine, but I clamped mine down just to make sure. I would advise you to do the same.
-Cody |
The set-up you have will work just fine......you will still get a bit of watery-oil into the IC with just the grey line connected, but it isn't as big a problem as the oil from the grey line is.
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Now pops up a question, do we really need OCC? I do street race generally and never tried autocross. Does the OCC make any performance defference?
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From my findings, honestly...no. Now, that being said, I don't really push my MINI hard all the time, and I don't race at all, so it's a little different for me. However, the last time (~2months ago) I had my IC off, there was no fluid, but there's none ever in my OCC either...I would suggest cleaning it ever 50k miles or so and you'll see some build up.
-Cody |
in the aspect of mods making power or freeing up more hp, no. in the aspect of efficiency down the road, yes. no one likes oil to gunk up the intercooler, throttle body, spark plugs, etc.
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Originally Posted by polizei
(Post 1926752)
From my findings, honestly...no. Now, that being said, I don't really push my MINI hard all the time, and I don't race at all, so it's a little different for me. However, the last time (~2months ago) I had my IC off, there was no fluid, but there's none ever in my OCC either...I would suggest cleaning it ever 50k miles or so and you'll see some build up.
-Cody |
How is the oil mist going to condense when the can is located directly above the exhaust manifold? Even with the heat shield, it seems like one of the hottest places under the hood.
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Originally Posted by DMBFan2
(Post 3008311)
I know this is an old thread and topic but....What does an OCC actually do? You said that there is no difference in hp or performance so whats the benefit and what is the difference between the types of catch cans? Are they just that - cans-? No internal filter, just a can?
The OCC captures oil vapor before it runs back through the intake system. If you take your intercooler off (and you have 20k+ miles on the car), you'll see oil that has accumulated on the surfaces. This reduces the ability of the intercooler to do its job (cool the air). Plus, if extreme, it can reduce air flow. Regarding location of the OCC above the exhaust...not a problem IMO. It should not get hot enough to vaporize/boil the oil. |
Just a side note..to simplify it..just install the can inline with the pcv valve . You can use a Barb fitting into the stock line and then you don't have to remove the intercooler . See my attached pic.. hope this helps make things easier for someone .
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...b15a2a978b.jpg |
An fittings
Hello. Anyone know what size threads for the PCV valve. I would love to replace my rubber house with stainless braided lines and AN FITTINGS.
Cleaner and for show. A good right angled an fitting would be great. |
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