What is the purpose of a oil catch can?
The oil catch can is a separator of oil and air. The oil catch can separate oil droplets from the air passing through the intake system from the engine breather. Internal combustion engines are imperfect, and pressure in the combustion chamber will occasionally leak into the oil pan or the crankcase. It's known as positive crankcase pressure. The pressure must be relieved via a ventilation system known as the positive crankcase ventilation valve.
The characteristics that reduce engine friction also prevent the piston rings from forming a perfect seal against the cylinder wall. When pressurised air interacts with the spinning crankshaft and other engine components, oil droplets vaporise.
Contaminants from combustion are present in the vaporised oil. Positive crankcase ventilation valves allow vaporised oil particles to escape. The vaporised oil is redirected back into the engine's intake system and then into the exhaust system. The process is necessary to reduce air pollution and comply with regulations, but it harms the intake system.
Why Is an oil catch important on a Seadoo?
Seadoo watercraft would benefit from an oil catch can as it can function similarly to a filter, catching oil, moisture and debris before it reaches the engine's intake manifold.
How does an oil catch can work on a Seadoo?
The oil catch can be used to supplement the breather hose that connects the tops valve to the engine's intake system. The tops valve breather hose is disconnected from the air intake and replaced or connected directly to the catch can input.
The air passes through a filter on top of the catch can and breathes to atmosphere as it travels from the inlet of the catch can through the anti-slosh tank foam, separating the oil out of the vapour. When the air passes through the catch can filter, the oil particles are trapped and pooled together into larger droplets before falling to the bottom of the catch can.
The catch cans are equipped with a drain plug to eliminate the oil catchment on a regular basis.
To purchase a premium catch can, see our Seadoo Oil Catch Can