- Joined
- Apr 27, 2012
- Points
- 100
I finally got around to fitting the Moroso catch can.
I had read up and watched several youtube videos on the subject of deleting the CCV and fitting a catch can.
Whilst the argument for doing this is fairly strong since it negates the cost of ever having to replace the CCV again, I had just replaced the CCV on the car with a new unit at considerable cost.
After having watched those videos and read several forum articles on the subject, I wasn't convinced that a full delete was necessary or even desirable.
I had a look at the function of the CCV and how the flow of gases is routed and filtered on the Z3 and decided to retain the CCV, but also fit a catch can.
I have the M52 TU model which has the same motor used later in the e46's. There's not a heap of free space to fit anything in the engine bay. I also wanted the catch can to be below the level of the CCV if possible. I removed the windshield washer reservoir which is against the bulkhead on the passenger side (left side) and at first it didn't seem promising. I looked elsewhere and there just isn't any space which would also allow a discreet channeling of the 2 rubber hoses to the catch can and to the sump - which is the "standard fitting" procedure.
Anyhow, I made a special bracket which I fitted to the front body frame ( Pic #1) This is almost directly below the windshield reservoir and adjacent to the ABS unit. Draining the catch can will require raising the front of the car and opening the drain tap on the underside of the catch can - not a major once every couple of months r more - I will have to wing it until I have a good correlation between distance traveled and draining requirements.
So, retaining the CCV - There is a feed pipe to the CCV from the cam cover. This is where all that hot oily air originates. It is fed into the CCV where the oil and air should be separated - with the oil being drained via a small hose connected to the dip stick tube into the sump, and the "cleaned air" being recirculated back into the inlet manifold. Looking inside my inlet manifold by removing the DISA , it's fairly obvious that the CCV isn't up to the task. It's pretty oily in there, and that's what's being fed into the intake to be burnt along with fresh air coming in via the throttle body.
So, to fit the catch can is an attempt to "double" filter that oily air. First via the catch can, and then through the CCV.
This requires sacrificing just one small OEM plstic pipe - the one from the engine cover to the CCV (Pic #2).
The way I have fitted the catch can is to remove this short pipe from the OEM clip on fittings at either end so I could re-use them.
From the engine cover, I have run a 20mm rubber hose which requires a 20mm - 12mm reducer and a short section of 12mm hose to connect to the intake side of the catch can. The OEM 90 degree elbow at the engine cover fits back onto the cover perfectly without fuss.
And from the output side of the catch can, fitted with a long length of 12mm hose back to what was the intake connection point on the CCV.
Just shy of that point I fitted a 90 degree plastic 20mm elbow to link up with the 45 degree OEM clip on connector.
And that is the completed job.
So now I have a dual filtration system which I hope will pump clean oil free air into the intake manifold, which should improve the combustibility of the air / fuel mixture and keep the intake manifold oil free inside.
I had read up and watched several youtube videos on the subject of deleting the CCV and fitting a catch can.
Whilst the argument for doing this is fairly strong since it negates the cost of ever having to replace the CCV again, I had just replaced the CCV on the car with a new unit at considerable cost.
After having watched those videos and read several forum articles on the subject, I wasn't convinced that a full delete was necessary or even desirable.
I had a look at the function of the CCV and how the flow of gases is routed and filtered on the Z3 and decided to retain the CCV, but also fit a catch can.
I have the M52 TU model which has the same motor used later in the e46's. There's not a heap of free space to fit anything in the engine bay. I also wanted the catch can to be below the level of the CCV if possible. I removed the windshield washer reservoir which is against the bulkhead on the passenger side (left side) and at first it didn't seem promising. I looked elsewhere and there just isn't any space which would also allow a discreet channeling of the 2 rubber hoses to the catch can and to the sump - which is the "standard fitting" procedure.
Anyhow, I made a special bracket which I fitted to the front body frame ( Pic #1) This is almost directly below the windshield reservoir and adjacent to the ABS unit. Draining the catch can will require raising the front of the car and opening the drain tap on the underside of the catch can - not a major once every couple of months r more - I will have to wing it until I have a good correlation between distance traveled and draining requirements.
So, retaining the CCV - There is a feed pipe to the CCV from the cam cover. This is where all that hot oily air originates. It is fed into the CCV where the oil and air should be separated - with the oil being drained via a small hose connected to the dip stick tube into the sump, and the "cleaned air" being recirculated back into the inlet manifold. Looking inside my inlet manifold by removing the DISA , it's fairly obvious that the CCV isn't up to the task. It's pretty oily in there, and that's what's being fed into the intake to be burnt along with fresh air coming in via the throttle body.
So, to fit the catch can is an attempt to "double" filter that oily air. First via the catch can, and then through the CCV.
This requires sacrificing just one small OEM plstic pipe - the one from the engine cover to the CCV (Pic #2).
The way I have fitted the catch can is to remove this short pipe from the OEM clip on fittings at either end so I could re-use them.
From the engine cover, I have run a 20mm rubber hose which requires a 20mm - 12mm reducer and a short section of 12mm hose to connect to the intake side of the catch can. The OEM 90 degree elbow at the engine cover fits back onto the cover perfectly without fuss.
And from the output side of the catch can, fitted with a long length of 12mm hose back to what was the intake connection point on the CCV.
Just shy of that point I fitted a 90 degree plastic 20mm elbow to link up with the 45 degree OEM clip on connector.
And that is the completed job.
So now I have a dual filtration system which I hope will pump clean oil free air into the intake manifold, which should improve the combustibility of the air / fuel mixture and keep the intake manifold oil free inside.
