Oil Catch Can on a 4.7L Write Up - Lots of Pics

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panoz3

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I spent considerable time researching several forums to learn about oil catch cans specifically installed on Dodge 4.7 engines, and there aren’t many examples to find. So I decided to detail my installation to help anyone who is considering this modification.

I purchased a new PCV valve (Mopar part # 53032925AC) from Ebay and the oil catch can from Elite Engineering. The kit that I chose is the 2006+ Hemi 5.7 because it comes with ½” rubber hose and a hose barb coupler to make the connections to the PCV valve and plastic line on the 4.7 motor. The kit also comes with a short bracket to mount the catch can in the engine bay.

1. Disconnect the black rubber elbow fitting from the PCV valve which is at the rear of the driver’s side valve cover. Pull the elbow fitting from the plastic line/tube that goes to the intake. You may have to twist the fitting to break it loose before pulling it off.

2. Remove the old valve and install the new. This requires a 34mm socket.

3. Install the hose barb coupler to the smaller hole on the rubber elbow fitting that was removed from the PCV valve. This coupler will accept the rubber hose to the catch can.

4. Reinstall the elbow fitting onto the PCV valve, pointing toward the front of the truck. This step helped me better determine how to route the rubber hose and where to cut it.

pcv.jpg

5. The rubber hose with the kit comes as one long piece, DO NOT cut it until the catch can location is determined.

6. Assemble the hose barbs to the catch can with thread tape and mount the bracket. Originally I used the brass hose barbs that were included with the kit, however I chose not to use the straight fitting in either location. It would cause the hose to kink over time. So I purchased black nylon, glass reinforced, elbow fittings (Eldon James L4-8GFBN) from Amazon that were actually a tighter fit with the rubber hose than the brass fittings. The catch can ports are ¼-18 NPT.

catch can.jpg

7. Install the catch can - I installed the bracket on the brake booster and sanded the corner down to fit in the recess on the brake master cylinder. I used an M8 flange nut and medium threadlocker to secure the bracket.

IMG_20171013_161357539.jpg

8. Install the rubber hose on the PCV fitting, route it to the catch can, trim to length and install it on the hose barb on top of the catch can. Before cutting the hose to length, I marked it with tape and then routed the other end from the exit port back to the PCV tube just to be sure - measure twice, cut once! A little WD-40 on the barbs and PCV tube makes it easier to install the rubber hose.

9. Install the 2nd hose from the exit side of the catch can back to the PCV tube that runs to the intake. I ran this hose behind the brake booster to keep it away from the exhaust header.

Dodge 4.7 PCV diagram.jpgIMG_20171008_165402926.jpg

The catch can from Elite Engineering is a high quality, well designed and manufactured unit, so it wasn’t cheap. The kit I purchased was $160, but after seeing its construction and attention to detail, the cost fit with its workmanship. I try to purchase upgrades for my truck that support American jobs and in my opinion this kit is worth the cost. I know Billet Technology manufactures a high quality catch can that is very popular with 4th gen Hemi owners, but there are a few reasons why I chose the Elite Engineering kit. The “Z” bracket mount on the BT kit would be difficult to use on my truck, the EE bracket worked better. The kit from EE also came with a spare O-ring for the cup, which is nice to have. The EE inlet is on top while it’s on the side of the BT can - I needed the top inlet based on my mounting options. The base kit from BT is $135 but is $160 from EE which includes several color choices. If you chose a color from BT, each kit costs the same.

Not all 3rd gen Rams with the 4.7L have the same PCV hose routing, this install was on a 2006. You may want to update your truck by reviewing TSB 25-002-08 (found here). Some earlier models (02-05) have the PCV valve on the oil fill tube, this TSB details the parts and steps to convert it to the valve cover. The revised routing is much simpler and less likely for condensation to freeze during winter months.

I hope this information is helpful to someone who is considering an oil catch can on their 4.7 motor.

catch can.jpg

pcv.jpg

IMG_20171008_165402926.jpg

IMG_20171013_161357539.jpg

Dodge 4.7 PCV diagram.jpg
 
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panoz3

panoz3

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Here are a few more pictures of the install.

IMG_20171008_165314802.jpg

IMG_20171013_161450722.jpg

This is what I poured out of the catch can after about 500 miles. It's not much, but more than I was expecting. I'm glad this stuff isn't going into my engine!

oil - 500 mi.jpg

IMG_20171008_165314802.jpg

IMG_20171013_161450722.jpg

oil - 500 mi.jpg
 

fastf

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This is the first time I ever seen or heard of a catch can but.You never to old to teach a old dog smething new.How do you drain it and I would hate to see when time to change the oil if you got that much junk in only 500 miles.
 
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panoz3

panoz3

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Here is a good resource about catch cans and the benefits (link). To empty this can, the lower cup unscrews from the top. Other designs include a drain valve at the bottom.

When I drive my truck, it's usually only for short trips. In the colder months, it doesn't run long enough for the engine to really get warm. This produces some oily condensation in the top end, the catch can prevents it from entering the intake.
 
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panoz3

panoz3

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I poured out the can after the oil change on Sat, this is the total after 700 miles. The dark layer was the first 500 miles, the bottom was an additional 200. I predicted that the regular short trips would add up quickly. 7a12b158eeeac4475c46dab5fa23da5f.jpg

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02ramboi

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Wow that’s insane that’s an awesome write up and I definitely will be looking into one of these


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Casper

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4.7L is a sludge pumper during cold weather when you make mostly short trips. You are going to benefit a great deal from this mod.
 

02ramboi

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4.7L is a sludge pumper during cold weather when you make mostly short trips. You are going to benefit a great deal from this mod.
Yeah I noticed a lot of sludge in my oil neck so I need to take it off and clean it all out I’m definitely going to be doing this


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panoz3

panoz3

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Today I relocated the catch can to the other side of the master cylinder, away from the battery box. I needed more access to unscrew the cup. I modified a simple angle bracket to bolt to the master cylinder mounting nut.

IMG_20180325_144522924.jpg

I purchased a new catch can bracket from Elite Engineering, their LFX mounting bracket.

IMG_20180325_150112175.jpg

I also purchased AN fittings (bottom) from Summit Racing to replace the plastic fittings I originally used (top). The elbow is a 8AN to 1/4" NPT and the other is a 1/2" push-on hose barb to 8AN. I used some WD-40 to slide the hoses on the barbs easier. I can unscrew the hose barbs from the elbow anytime I need to remove the can from the truck. The plastic fittings were much harder to remove.

IMG_20180325_150143101.jpg

Here's the final install. I had to shorten the inlet hose from the PCV valve to the top of the can, but the return hose was the correct length to the new location.

IMG_20180325_164208745.jpg
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LouG

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Very nice work. Your technique brought great insight to my 4.7 catch can project. Much appreciated.
 

02SilverQC1500

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This is crazy to see. I just put a new oil pump, timing chain, and the oil pick up tube cleaned out from gunk creating low oil pressure. I drive 2.5 minutes to work, each way. This sounds like something I am going to NEED to do.... THANK YOU!!
 

CorDog009

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I've done the "Home Depot" catch can on a couple of LS vehicles, thinking about adding one onto my Ram. Just grab an oil separator for an air compressor at the tool/hardware store and a couple of barbed hose ends, and splice it inline. Usually $10-15 total. I used a smaller one than this, but it gives you an idea.

catchcan.jpg
 
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