is catch can needed on 2.3L? (worth the $)

[Brian_B]

Does the can installed slow down the flow to the intake enough to cause a buildup pressure in the crankcase?

If you let it fill all the way up - maybe. But then I would think it wouldn’t be any worse/different than not having it at all.

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[Jok3r]

Mine had about half an inch of sludge under another half inch of thin brown liquid (dirty/oily water from condensation, I presume) in it after 5k miles.

Looks exactly like mine after 5k miles.

 

[2022 base]

Looks exactly like mine after 5k miles.

Looks like a strong cup of coffee in there! LOL

 

[GPPBronco]

I read somewhere that cold winter weather can cause problems for catch can systems so I stopped looking into this for my 2.3. Is that correct?

 

[AttackGuy64]

I was not informed on this topic so I have dug into this a little bit and found a good can I think. Any outside opinions and info on this matter is appreciated.

Oil Separator | Oil Catch Can | 2021-2024 Ford Bronco EcoBoost (jlosc.com)

I cannot swear that it is doing anything with only 25k on the odometer, but I am in it for the long haul. I want my engine to last a long time so I am being cautious. I installed the same one pictured above and feel slightly better about my long term odds. Is it really doing anything that the engine isn't already doing? No idea, but I like to hedge my bets. I don't believe it is actually hurting anything in the worst case.

 

[MNBigfoot]

 

[RedSoloCup]

So here is my take from years of research and reading. The 2.3 Ecoboost is direct injection only. It’s more needed IMO but again not necessary. You will regardless have to clean the back of the valves with a walnut blast eventually. A catch can or top tier fuel won’t help that problem. You need port injection to remedy that. It’s why I looked for a 23 Big bend and not a 24 to get the 2.7 and not the 2.3 since ford didn’t update the 2.3 in the 24 Bronco like they did in the 24 Mustang since that now has port injection and more hp and Tq to boot.

 

[Ninjak]

What about a AOS setup?

 

[Soundgarden]

To keep my engines clean I just always kept the habit of doing a couple hard accelerations everytime my oil temp in fully warm. I live in northern Canada, sometimes if Im only driving a short distance, I will take a detour to let the temps get fully warm and do my pull before turning it off.
Never had an issue even without a catch can.

 

[Tucker417]

I have that same can. Doesn't catch much in the summer months. Winter months catches about a half can every 1000 miles.

I second this. In the warmer months, not much in the can. Winter months, quite a bit.

 

[Sidney073]

I have tried to understand what its purpose is and see a need for removing the oil before it gets to the engine valve but will it prevent any buildup? I thought build up is normal on gas engines.?

Turbo charged engines can push more oil that a non Turbo engine through the PCV system, which can lead to oil buildup in the intake, PCV, and even EGR systems. This eventually will lead to a buildup that will need to be cleaned out, meaning more preventative maintenance. It’s also the reason I run 91/93 Octane fuel in mine, I have done this with several vehicles, and it has proven to get better fuel mileage, reduce maintenance costs, and reduce Check Engine Light issues as well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Sidney073]

Attached is a picture of my K&N oil catch can on my ‘23 Outer Banks Sasquatch 2.3L

 

[Ape Factory]

I have extensive experience with carbon buildup and reduction regiments in DI engines. MOST of the carbon buildup on intake valves comes from valve overlap and reversion of the intake charge where partially burned, hot hydrocarbons deposit on relatively cooler valves.

Forced induction does reduce the amount of carbon buildup vs. a NA motor so it'll be interesting to see how bad buildup is at say 50K or 100K miles. I suspect it won't affect performance much in the first 50K miles, maybe not even in the first 100K miles. Catch cans do very little to reduce carbon buildup and long-term studies have been done on that front. It can't hurt to have one however.

You CAN burn off carbon deposits but it requires the Autobahn and hours at redline. Valve cleaners have some effect but they use combustible solvents which can deteriorate catalysts if used to frequently and dislodge chunks of carbon which can also embed in your cats (not good).

I've done manual cleaning with walnut blasting and it definitely restores performance but it's often not for the average home mechanic. There are issues with injector seals and all sorts of stuff.

Short trips are worse for buildup and the "Italian tuneup" is a real thing with DI engines.

 

[CalvinT]

Neither of these 2.3L engines had catch cans and they made it to 500,000 miles. Pay attention to the teardowns.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ntional-vs-synthetic-and-failed-parts.100288/

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