$35 Oil Catch Can

Well, I purchased the following oil catch can for $35 shipped on eBay after seeing quite a bit of oil in my intercooler boots after 33K.

The quality of the material is superb - all necessary brackets and hardware is included, and I'm genuinely impressed as all hell! It comes with a magnetic drain plug on the bottom to facilitate emptying and a tube to show if the catch can is full and the hose is real sturdy and tough - no seepage of oil through this bad boy!

I can't wait to slap it in.

And guess what? It was $90 cheaper than any of the *other* brands out there. This is what I call a bang for the buck mod.

Link to the seller is here.

6" tall and comes with 9mm and 15mm hose connectors... I think with the Mini we need the 9mm.

 

COOL! Let us know how it works out!

 

Looks good. Although I really don't care for the hose they provided you.

 

The hose is solid man, nothing will seep out, and it's reinforced with threads throughout...making it one sturdy hose!

Well, I haven't put it in yet but will keep you up on how the install goes...

 

I don't doubt its solid and won't puncture. Although I don't know if that hose is ment for the heat of an engine compartment.

Maybe someone else can chime in and tell me otherwise. I'm no expert... just jealous of your can

 

Which one did you get LOF? I see the ebay listings for Tacoma and Tercel?

 

They are all the same. It's a universal kit.

Just specify 9mm (I think) for the hose and you should be golden.

Plus don't use buy-it-now....wait for the auction to end and save $5.

 

great tip! I was going to build my own - but at that price - why?

let us know how it goes, I think i'll be on board with this one as well!

-jac

 

good find man! post pics after you install it and let us know it turns out.
very cool!

 

This OCC looks strangely familiar

 

Maybe I will get one of these to replace my alta catch can. I like the fact that it is aluminum....

Garrett

 

I was working on trying to build my own but at this price, and looks, I couldn't come close. Thanks. LOtF.

 

Looks good, and nice price.

They still make Chunky bars???

 

You're welcome. I aim to please!

I was wondering when someone was going to point that out.

Yeah, evidently they do! I don't think I've bought one for like the past 15 years! Ha!

 

As for the catch can, does anyone know if CARB approved? I was thinking about adding one, but I didn't know if I'll have smog problems. Is the catch can needed? Are we seeing a big difference w/o it?

 

With only a few month of use, I have a good amount of oil in my catch can. Pulling the IC off, shows it all nice and clean inside!

Garrett

 

Cool. I just had a fellow Motorer text me saying that he thought I was wasting my money.....And that in a few months, if I had any oil in there, he would DRINK it.

Woo hoo!

 

Haha, well for the price you can not go wrong. And it will trap stuff believe me. I can take pictures to prove it! Tell him to get ready to drink it! By the way, also take the IC off and look at it and see if it contains any oil.

Garrett

 

I took it off @ 25K when I did my boost gauge and saw nothing.....

But then when I took it off at 30K to do the VGS mod I saw a lot.

Which is why I ended up buying a catch can......

But can you imagine how many more catch cans Mini vendors could sell if they lowered the price? That's got to be the #1 reason why most people don't buy them - they are just overpriced! If this guy is selling them on eBay for $35 shipped, how much do you think it costs to produce and ship? Not much!

 

I wouldn't think you would have to worry about smog check, but ask M7 since they are located in CA.

I was in the same boat that you are in about needing a catch can. At first I thought it was just a waist of money! I have my intercooler off almost once a week doing something and I can see the oil building up more and more. When I hold it up to the light and try to look though it, I can see all the junk inside and the obvious oil that leaks out. I have heard that a clean vs. a dirty IC is worth almost 2-4 HP and I believe it NOW. I just ordered a OCC from m7, do you have to pay that much money for one? NO, there are cheaper alternatives. Now I don't know for sure how much a OCC will reduce oil build up, but I'm sure someone here can tell you. Hope this helps!-- Johan

 

Yeah, can't argue with the fact that reducing oil in your intercooler is a good thing.....And who knows, maybe it only extends the life of your Mini by a few hours or something but hey, I love my Mini.....and that would be a few more hours of motoring!

 

The Vendors have to make a profit some way or another. So as much as it sucks that something like this cost a more then what you would want to pay, if you are that concerned then you would not worry about how much it would cost. No one ever said you have to go with a vendor to buy something. There will always be cheaper deals on things, some are good deals, while others are not so good deals! You decide!

Garrett

 

True....I agree they should make a profit......It just seems that for their sake they could make MORE of a profit by selling MORe of these items just a little cheaper...I.e. making up in volume what they might lose out on per unit.

But hey, I'm no vendor... I'm just a regular ol' consumer!

 

I don't mind paying a little more to a company that designs and builds parts for our cars. The guy on Ebay doesn't care about future mods for MINI Coopers, he's just making quick money. He is most likely not even keeping inline with the maker of the cans retail guidelines. The products I sell in my store are constantly being diverted or stolen and are being sold in places they shouldn't be. M7 is constantly working on new stuff. So if the profit is good on the OCC it will help fund the new stuff they are working on. I think we should reward the venders that keep new stuff coming. Guys like Randy Webb and Peter at M7 have offered us great parts and have put their entire livelihood into these MINI innovations. So for every one product they make good profit on, I'd bet there is two that haven't paid off there design cost yet.

I also think the hose is very unattractive. Not that looks are everything but I don't want what looks like garden hose under my engine bay.

 

To each his own. If you feel like paying roughly a 300% markup and you can afford it, then more power to you.

I'm just looking for a good deal and thought I would share.

Btw I like the hose.