One for the techies - to PCV or not to PCV

[MadMaxHSV]

I'm reviewing my breather setup in light of still ingesting more oil than I'd like, coating my intake runners and coking my pistons. I'm already running a catch can to some effect but not sufficient.
The obvious answer has come up to do away with the PCV system completely in favour of an old school breather approach.
However mixed views on the problems this can cause.
I have no environmental conscious or tuning issues running an open breather system etc, but have read negative opinions around not actively flushing fresh air through the crankcase around acid buildup etc.

Question being is this a valid concern or in real life not a issue with regular oil changes etc. the internet is split in strong opinion per normal so I figured to ask the trusted advisors here

[stevieturbo]

MadMaxHSV said:

I'm reviewing my breather setup in light of still ingesting more oil than I'd like, coating my intake runners and coking my pistons. I'm already running a catch can to some effect but not sufficient.
The obvious answer has come up to do away with the PCV system completely in favour of an old school breather approach.
However mixed views on the problems this can cause.
I have no environmental conscious or tuning issues running an open breather system etc, but have read negative opinions around not actively flushing fresh air through the crankcase around acid buildup etc.

Question being is this a valid concern or in real life not a issue with regular oil changes etc. the internet is split in strong opinion per normal so I figured to ask the trusted advisors here

Old skool causes no real issues. It's simple, it works.

And any PCV setup could also be included with an old skool type if you really really really wanted.

But you choosing to recirculate dirty air and PCV problems arent quite the same thing.

You could still do a PCV and recirculate some air, if you have a proper filtration, oil/air separation system to ensure the air drawn in doesnt contaminate the intake.
It's just finding a good way to filter the air first.

Easier just to vent the whole lot to atmosphere though, safe in the knowledge no oil will ever contaminate the inlet.

[MadMaxHSV]

Thanks Stevie, was hoping you'd chime in.

So the 'your oil will turn into engine destroying acid' is largely internet BS?
Figured built old American motors without modern PCV systems weren't just eating themselves from the inside out, including most of not all race motors.

[stevieturbo]

MadMaxHSV said:

Thanks Stevie, was hoping you'd chime in.

So the 'your oil will turn into engine destroying acid' is largely internet BS?
Figured built old American motors without modern PCV systems weren't just eating themselves from the inside out, including most of not all race motors.

I doubt any of us would ever leave the oil in for long enough that there would even be the slightest risk of anything like that happening....

Must change my oil some time....it's been in for a year and a half lol

[Behold81]

I have had this conversation quite a few times.

In the end I decided to keep it. I was on an old ls1 setup so converted it to the more modern valley setup. No oil usage now. My catch can stays practically empty.

Easy to convert if you need too. Not expensive either.

[MadMaxHSV]

Behold81 said:

I have had this conversation quite a few times.

In the end I decided to keep it. I was on an old ls1 setup so converted it to the more modern valley setup. No oil usage now. My catch can stays practically empty.

Easy to convert if you need too. Not expensive either.

Not an option for me. Supercharger in the way of the LS2 valley dwelling PCV. The TVS kit moves the PCV path to use the rocker breathers, which i've already got a catch can hooked up to. The fact it removes a functioning PCV valve is likely part of the problem, in addition to pulling from the passenger side rear breather, which is prone to oil pooling anyway.
The stock LS2 PCV setup was worse in fairness. Intake manifold was full of oil and pistons crusted up nicely after only 9k miles when I tore apart the stock motor.

I'm going to try another routing with a catch can as a final chance, with a glass filter in the line to check how much is still getting past the can.
Failing that i've the parts to remove the recirculation altogether in place of a conventional open to air breather can to stop coating the intake with oil.
There's no noticeable oil consumption but there's still a nice film everywhere.

[MyM8V8]

MadMaxHSV said:

Not an option for me. Supercharger in the way of the LS2 valley dwelling PCV. The TVS kit moves the PCV path to use the rocker breathers, which i've already got a catch can hooked up to. The fact it removes a functioning PCV valve is likely part of the problem, in addition to pulling from the passenger side rear breather, which is prone to oil pooling anyway.
The stock LS2 PCV setup was worse in fairness. Intake manifold was full of oil and pistons crusted up nicely after only 9k miles when I tore apart the stock motor.

I'm going to try another routing with a catch can as a final chance, with a glass filter in the line to check how much is still getting past the can.
Failing that i've the parts to remove the recirculation altogether in place of a conventional open to air breather can to stop coating the intake with oil.
There's no noticeable oil consumption but there's still a nice film everywhere.

I'm with you on this Piers. FI (valley blower) problem is much worse than NA which is bad enough. In fact, the oil loss is relatively huge.

[ringram]

Yeah I saw your intake Gareth!

Oiltastic

[MyM8V8]

ringram said:

Yeah I saw your intake Gareth!

Oiltastic

Bearing in mind I'd cleaned it just before I went to TR!!!

I am going to get it sorted though. Just got hold of a 205L barrel for a catch can!