Originally, I had the Alta/M7 set-up and trapped milky/oily water. I have since reverted back to the single sided OCC set-up (left crank case vent - to - OCC - to - grey vaccum tube) and reconnect the right crank case vent back to its original connection point being the CAI tube.

I checked the OCC and found two tablespoons of BLACK OILY substance (some water) so I perfer this configuration.

Additionally, I modded my OCC by inserting steel wool inside and added a down pipe inside the OCC on the inflow side. The down pipe (hard plastic) runs about 2/3 down into the OCC forcing the air to take a longer path inside the OCC and thus pass thru more steel wool.

 

Boy, am I glad I didn't see the afore mentioned threads.
It looks like reason has prevailed though. I believe that you have verified the correctness of the one side hook up when you mentioned the milky looking fluid on the first method.
The milky fluid is a combination of oil, water and air mixed together and is a common problem in heavy trucks ( with air brakes ) when the AIR compressor has bad rings and injects OIL into the compressed AIR. Water of course is squeezed out of the air and gets whipped with the oil and air.
The oil trap shown in the DIY is not as pretty as ALTA or M7 but the price is right. It could of course look better by using stainless steel jackets over the hose and painting the brass fittings the appropriate color. Everyone take a deep breath and enjoy the day.

 

Okay, I realize this may be a really stoopid question, but what about all the stock MINI's without this catch can? Is this mainly for cars that are pushed a little harder than normal? If it is a really important mod, then why has it not become a standard factory part? Are we going for prolonged motor life, or better performance, or what, specifically? Thanx for your time. david

 

take a look at my cold air intake. 3" PVC, a sewer connection, and plexiglass. i'm a function over form kinda person.

 

IMPORTANT!!!!!! the oil catch can idea is a good one it works effectivly and can help get a better air fuel mixture into the engine. BUT be sure to empty it on a regular basis and more so if you are located in a climate that gets well below freezing. the oil catch cans also catch mointure that is in the crank case. and i have seen it that the can is not emptied and the oil water mixe froze then the crank case becomes under pressure. in the case i saw the valve cover cracked just below the coil on the bcak. and sprayed a fine mist of oil on the exhaust header and started a small fire. not to mention a big mess. just FYI

 

After reading this thread I understand the importance of installing an OCC but I have a couple of questions.
I own an 'S' and a regular MINI (the wife's).

Is this OCC setup for the regular MINI also or just for the 'S'?

Both of the MINIs are pre-owned. I have over 80k miles on my 'S'.

Is there any treatment to reverse any oil buildup from 80k miles without the OCC before I install the OCC?

 

I am posting this so who ever is interested can go check it out , but its a real nice product that works very well.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Catch_Can.html

 

i don't think there is any need for a catch can on a regular mini. although it will keep oil mist out of the intake, it really isn't harming your performance. the catch can is basically for keeping oil out of the intercooler.

if you plan on adding one to your S, just take out the intercooler and clean the inside with some degreaser, simple green, or some throttle body cleaner (be careful, it is extremely flammable). then just get a rag and clean out as far as you can get into either side of the aluminum plenums/horns/whatever you want to call them, and clean out inside the rubber boots.

 

Everything Sonichris said is right on the mark, In my view though I don't feel it hurts to install it on on the MC. It helps keep things clean, a good example is a old Chevy intake, all the crankcase vapors are feed back in from the PCV and what a mess over the years. As far as cleaning the MC not much of a choice unless you want to rebuild it, there are thing that claim to clean the gunk out that you can add but you could do more damage then good. Compared to the Chevy above these as really clean little engine. So its your call on the MC.

 

Here is a site that says alot.
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/PCV...oval%20101.pdf

 

Okay in my gallery I posted the OCC and the unit installed in the car, it seems to be working real well at this point. Between the location,material and the filtering unit it is cooling the vapors and causing a better removal of the oil.
John

 

what does the catch can do?

 

It traps the oil mist that travels through the PCV hoses, keeping it from being deposited inside the intercooler or ingested into the engine. I don't make any claims to the usefulness or necessity of such a system, but that's what it does.

 

It is placed in the line coming from the PCV (positive crankcase vent) back to the engine's intake. Primary job is to help remove the oil vapor before it goes back into the engine.

John

 

Hey - it is that time of year in the Midwest and I have finally decided to remove my Alta OCC. Question: Does anyone have a diagram on how the Lines should hook up as stock ? Is it simple? Where does the gray line attach?

Also, if anyone would be interested in the OCC I would ship cheaply for free.

 

Yes, it is simple, You can go to Alta and look at the instructions, or I can tell you the gray line from the blower hooks to the PCV valve and the line just after the air filter on your intake hose/tube connects to the vent line coming off by the oil fill cap. Question,Why are you wanting to remove it? if I am understanding your interest in plumbing.

 

Thanks John...I will check out Alta..I hate to remove the cooler but will have to I guess.

I am removing it as in the Midwest / Chicago winters the only thing I collect is water vapor. It is a result of very short daily trips ( 1-2 Miles ) in below 32F weather...not really happy about the frequency of dumps and the milky deposit on the oil filler cap. Not to mention the silicone hose smell that greats me every day.

 

So i've hooked it like it suggests in the diagram above:
breather - can - grey plastic line.

But now under vacuum the 'can' is compressing rather worryingly, and obviously under boost it's ballooning out. Does anyone else see this happen with their catch can run this way?
I'm thinking about making up some steel ring reinforcements and putting them inside to try and cut down the flex

 

this does not sound right. what kind of can did you use? and are you sure there is not a kink in the line blocking flow? maybe not enough flow through the can?

 

This is the problem with the Alta can. You can get a fix from Alta to eliminate this problem, or get a metal can to replace it.

 

Do you know what the fix is? The reason i ask, is i'm based in the UK and getting parts from them takes a while

 

I think it was a piece of plastic pipe cut to fit inside the can.

 

Thanks
Local DIY store for me then!