Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil Canister

[EGaskamp]

How often should I dump the oil canister? Also, why is it there? The 12v didn't have one. Does it have something to do with blowby? Still leaning on the 24v. :-laf

 

[PC12Driver]

I dumped mine after 5,000 miles or so... and replaced it with a section of 3/4" (I think) heater hose to extend it to just below the sway bar. It's there to catch any oil that may blow out of the crankcase breather (which is normal). But typically what happens is the oil mist that the engine exhales gets picked up by the fan and is scattered all over the front of the engine, radiator, and hood. Quite messy and can clog some of the radiator fins over time.



So, I just eliminated the bottle completely and ran the hose down far enough to clear the engine compartment. It does blow onto the axle, and it will leave the occasional drip on the garage floor, but that's much easier to clean up than the engine and radiator. Use caution as far as hose length and routing, 'cause you don't want it to get plugged, which will blow out seals in the engine if it can't breathe.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

If *all* you care about is eliminating the bottle, and routing the bypass oil and vapor somewhere else - with no concern about the trucks undercarriage, or your garage floor, driveway, or the driveways of folks you might visit, simply extending your blowby hose somewhere under the truck will do the job!



ON the other hand, if what you want is COMPLETE elimination of oil drips and oily film under your truck, try THIS:



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Moving the bottle down to the front swaybar and using old socks to collect and control oily residue is your best bet - the outer sock lasts about the same distance as normal oil change intervals, and is FAR easier to service in the new location than the old one! Additionally, I drill lots more holes in the bottle to allow for any restriction the sock material might create...

 

[PC12Driver]

There was only a trace amount of oil in my bottle when I took it off, and the occasional drip from the hose is negligible. A quick squirt with the pressure washer whenever I wash the shiny side keeps the front axle clean. As far as my friends' driveways go, I can't see them from my house!



That looks like a pretty clean setup, but over here in the land of lake effect snows and cold winters I'd be concerned about the sock getting water soaked from road spray and then freezing solid.