What causes oil catch can to be completely dry?

[Lamarsh]

I installed an oil catch can on my 2020 Ram 5.7L about 3 years ago. I check it half way through oil changes and at each oil change, which is about every 4500 miles, and the can is always about 1/3 to half full with sludgy chocolate milk looking oil. Recently, however, I went to change my oil and empty the catch can and it was empty and dry. Just wondering if this could be the sign of a larger problem, or if it's just no big deal. Anybody have any insight? Thanks!

 

[Curmudgeon]

"I am not a mechanic"

But check your PCV valve. may be clogged. Clean or replace.
My truck is a 2014 with 116,000 miles and I 'think' my valve
is original and still OK, but I've had it out and checked/cleaned it twice.

EDITED to add: my catch can is still collecting crud.

 

[gt8684]

I'm not saying this is the problem, but I know when I installed mine, they mentioned in the instructions that you should "clean" the filter every other oil change, I have not done that, I have only sprayed a little carb cleaner through the mesh filter once in 35K miles, and never had a problem but might be something to look at.

 

[Wild one]

I installed an oil catch can on my 2020 Ram 5.7L about 3 years ago. I check it half way through oil changes and at each oil change, which is about every 4500 miles, and the can is always about 1/3 to half full with sludgy chocolate milk looking oil. Recently, however, I went to change my oil and empty the catch can and it was empty and dry. Just wondering if this could be the sign of a larger problem, or if it's just no big deal. Anybody have any insight? Thanks!

Follow the above suggestions,especially about taking it apart to clean the internal screen,a bucket of gas will work to soak and clean the screen.
Also make sure the hoses feeding it,aren't collasping under vaccumn ,especially when they're hot and pliable.

 

[mikeru]

Doesn’t hurt to clean it but it’s not really a filter. It adds surface area for the vapors to condense into a liquid. It will act as a filter if any larger particles get in there, but considering where the vapors come from (pcv valve) there really shouldn’t be any particles present.

I suspect you have an issue with the pcv valve as @Curmudgeon suggested.

 

[Lamarsh]

But check your PCV valve. may be clogged. Clean or replace.

Thanks, I will give that a look.

ou should "clean" the filter every other oil change

taking it apart to clean the internal screen

Doesn’t hurt to clean it but it’s not really a filter. It adds surface area for the vapors to condense into a liquid.

Are you guys talking about an actual filter on the oil catch can? I haven't give it a good look in a few years, aside from just emptying it. I thought it was just a milled piece of aluminum with holes in it. I'll take a look when I get home.

Thanks so much for everybody's input!

 

[mikeru]

Thanks, I will give that a look.





Are you guys talking about an actual filter on the oil catch can? I haven't give it a good look in a few years, aside from just emptying it. I thought it was just a milled piece of aluminum with holes in it. I'll take a look when I get home.

Thanks so much for everybody's input!

Many catch cans come with what looks like a pot scrubber that is often behind a piece of perforated metal inside the can. In this pic I grabbed from the web I've added a red arrow pointing to the filter (condenser is a more accurate term for it)...

 

[Bam930878]

Check your pcv when you remove it the check ball should rattle if it doesn't spray some cleaner in it another thing is if you only take short trips it wont let the oil get hot enough for the water and or fuel to evaporate and be caught by the can

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

Definitely check your PCV, then I would clean the Catch can filter. As mentioned I would also check the hoses for kinks, or signs of them collapsing. Would hurt to check for air leaks as well. It should not be dry. The PCV is most likely clogged or not functioning properly.

 

[Lamarsh]

I appreciate everybody's input. Ended up being a bad vacuum line to the catch can

 

[mikeru]

I appreciate everybody's input. Ended up being a bad vacuum line to the catch can

Something doesn't make sense here. Can you be a little more specific about which catch can you have? A pic would be awesome.

 

[Sherman Bird]

I installed an oil catch can on my 2020 Ram 5.7L about 3 years ago. I check it half way through oil changes and at each oil change, which is about every 4500 miles, and the can is always about 1/3 to half full with sludgy chocolate milk looking oil. Recently, however, I went to change my oil and empty the catch can and it was empty and dry. Just wondering if this could be the sign of a larger problem, or if it's just no big deal. Anybody have any insight? Thanks!

Aren't you supposed to drive the truck?