Black Gold, Texas Tea I think NOT! Ideas welcome?

[Scott]

Pulled my Ford Racing intake to relocate the IAT sensor from the MAF location to an intake runner. Frankly I was very shocked at the amount of oil that had accumulated in the intake. I previously had a JLT catch can on the driver’s side until the forged motor and Ford Racing Intake went into the car in May 2013, but because the original hoses were no longer suitable the JLT was left off. I put the driver’s side JLT Oil Separator back on in July this year. When I removed the intake yesterday there was a little oil in the separator but not much.

However, this is what I found pooled in the intake. In fact there was even more than this as another pool of oil was formed out of the throttle body when the back of the intake was tipped up.

https://i.imgur.com/TMIhRHQ.jpg

Current configuration has the passenger side valve cover connected with a 6AN hose to the Vortech intake tube elbow.

https://i.imgur.com/ShQ46sj.jpg

The driver side uses the original version JLT separator with 10AN hoses.

https://i.imgur.com/q23byp0.jpg

I am not comfortable with the volume of oil that has accumulated in the intake over 4 years of limited use, less than 15K kilometers in total.

With the gen 1 JLT back on the driver side do you think I am good to go or what other action do you recommend?

[KRS]

I wouldn’t be comfortable with that much oil either. Where does the drivers connect on the valve cover (top or side), I can’t see it in your picture. Does the JLT separator that you put back on have the updated screen in it? Even if it does, I think I’d upgrade to the new 3.0 separator and monitor the amount of oil that it’s catching.

[Scott]

Original screen in the JLT which was purchased in 2010. JLT connects to the OEM location on the driver side valve cover.

[ZR]

To me, far side of excessive and needs to be addressed.

-does valve cover have adequate baffling at PCV?
-is there oil ahead of the throttle body / intake tube as well?
-if yes, is there also oil beyond where pass side tees into intake tube and the super charger?
-what oil are you running?

Most of the boosted rides where we are seeing excessive oil like that are auto's. Have seen accumulation reduced by pulling it down a gear (or two) before stepping on the loud pedal. Idea being, auto that downshifts even a lil slowly loads the engine too hard. Same for not rolling on a stick car without first downshifting.
On my own, can do an entire track day, two full tanks of fuel with tons of WOT / full boost pulls and see little accumulation. Drive on the street for similar couple tanks of fuel, roll on it to pass in 6th or just do some upper gear hits and the amount can be a fair bit more. Flip back to let it rpm before you hit it and the accumulation goes back to virtually nothing.
Also did oil grade testing, 5w20 / 5w30 vs 10w30, thinner oil yielded several times more oil in the catch can under all conditions.
Doing a bunch of looking around at the new catch can products out there, newer players to the game have some great ideas.

[NickD]

Scott message me on facebook when your on, I have a video from Jeremy at S&H breaking down the operation on a boosted 3V and showing the operation of the check valve in the driver side head. It changes the whole way you expect it to work

[ZR]

You able to link here Nick?

[KRS]

One other thing I noticed is you have -6 hose on the fresh air side of the system, which is 3/8” and it’s a long run. The stock hose on mine is around 1/2”, and I’m wondering if a restriction on the fresh air side could cause any issues.

[ZR]

^ Yes factory hose is much larger.

[ZR]

Oil separator testing, although it's possible they perform the same under pressure vs vac, interested to see a test to confirm A or B does not accel at one vs the other.
Back to Scott's car / thinking about it overnight, my suggestions, step up the hose size on the passengers side v/c, move separator on the drivers side to the fender which would allow enough length to add a check valve and monitor closely. If results are better but not satisfactory, might even try one of the dual level separators (inlet on bottom / vac on top). I also can't stress enough the difference in controlling blow by we are seeing between oil grades, it's night and day in both N/A and boosted rides.

[KRS]

You are probably already aware of the JLT update but just in case your not I’ll post a link to their video. It’s not too impressive looking but it’s a big improvement over the original screen design. Mine probably catches 1oz of oil every 1500 km.

https://youtu.be/vd8m6fGGTTM



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd8m6fGGTTM&feature=youtu.be

[ZR]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUL7xaKy1LM

[ZR]

You are probably already aware of the JLT update but just in case your not I’ll post a link to their video. It’s not too impressive looking but it’s a big improvement over the original screen design. Mine probably catches 1oz of oil every 1500 km.

https://youtu.be/vd8m6fGGTTM



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd8m6fGGTTM&feature=youtu.be

Nice, thanks for posting.
Guess other question to Scott, is yours hooked up in the correct direction?

[Scott]

To me, far side of excessive and needs to be addressed.

-does valve cover have adequate baffling at PCV?
-is there oil ahead of the throttle body / intake tube as well?
-if yes, is there also oil beyond where pass side tees into intake tube and the super charger?
-what oil are you running?

Most of the boosted rides where we are seeing excessive oil like that are auto's. Have seen accumulation reduced by pulling it down a gear (or two) before stepping on the loud pedal. Idea being, auto that downshifts even a lil slowly loads the engine too hard. Same for not rolling on a stick car without first downshifting.
On my own, can do an entire track day, two full tanks of fuel with tons of WOT / full boost pulls and see little accumulation. Drive on the street for similar couple tanks of fuel, roll on it to pass in 6th or just do some upper gear hits and the amount can be a fair bit more. Flip back to let it rpm before you hit it and the accumulation goes back to virtually nothing.
Also did oil grade testing, 5w20 / 5w30 vs 10w30, thinner oil yielded several times more oil in the catch can under all conditions.
Doing a bunch of looking around at the new catch can products out there, newer players to the game have some great ideas.

Not sure on the the value cover baffling can't remember, they are those crazy expensive Moroso fabricated covers and I put them on May 2013.

Vortech intake tube elbow were the passenger side valve cover hose connects is completely dry as is the output of the cooler in front of the throttle body. This suggests the problem is with the driver side.

Amsoil 5W20


One other thing I noticed is you have -6 hose on the fresh air side of the system, which is 3/8” and it’s a long run. The stock hose on mine is around 1/2”, and I’m wondering if a restriction on the fresh air side could cause any issues.

Agreed it is longer than the OEM 3V length. It could be configured with 8AN but based on the fact the Vortech intake elbow where the passenger hose terminates is completely dry it may not be necessary.


Oil separator testing, although it's possible they perform the same under pressure vs vac, interested to see a test to confirm A or B does not accel at one vs the other.
Back to Scott's car / thinking about it overnight, my suggestions, step up the hose size on the passengers side v/c, move separator on the drivers side to the fender which would allow enough length to add a check valve and monitor closely. If results are better but not satisfactory, might even try one of the dual level separators (inlet on bottom / vac on top). I also can't stress enough the difference in controlling blow by we are seeing between oil grades, it's night and day in both N/A and boosted rides.

Remembering that I just added the JLT back on the car this past May the vast majority of the oil had to be there before the separator went back on. Not much real estate available in the engine compartment. Planning to install an Anderson Power Pipe this winter and it should take up less room than the Vortech intake maybe this will allow a longer hose run in the engine compartment otherwise fender well may be the only option.


Nice, thanks for posting.
Guess other question to Scott, is yours hooked up in the correct direction?

This is an excellent question, will have to take a close look. Based on the OEM connector configuration in the video it looks like the little hole needs to be on the valve cover side.

[ZR]

No oil in the other hose is indeed a good sign, still should be larger though.
Yes points you directly at drivers side. I'd hook a hose to the cover n see if your able to confirm pcv is functioning. If ok, update and move separator to where your able to increase hose length and install a check valve (with matching hose size / fluid capability from McMaster Carr). Up the ante on your oil (10w30) and retest.
I'd bet the farm combo will clear it up.

[ZR]

Looking at instructions and your pics, is there a PCV valve in there someplace?

http://www.shopmoroso.com/eb/web/instructions/68388_inst.pdf

[Scott]

No oil in the other hose is indeed a good sign, still should be larger though.
Yes points you directly at drivers side. I'd hook a hose to the cover n see if your able to confirm pcv is functioning. If ok, update and move separator to where your able to increase hose length and install a check valve (with matching hose size / fluid capability from McMaster Carr). Up the ante on your oil (10w30) and retest.
I'd bet the farm combo will clear it up.

Rick thanks for the tip on McMaster Carr, should be able to find something there.


Looking at instructions and your pics, is there a PCV valve in there someplace?

http://www.shopmoroso.com/eb/web/instructions/68388_inst.pdf

That Moroso configuration only works with OEM 3V manifold. Before I reinstalled the JLT I had a in-line PCV valve. Currently no PCV in JLT.

Dumb question, check valve = PCV?

[ZR]

Just for reference, found low pressure release fuel / oil compatible valves on their site today in 1/4 pipe (part #7775K52) , they do offer same but in larger sizes for your application. Check part number.
You know what, good thought / question. I'd think pcv should remain with check valve (after all, pcv is there to both meter air and act as a check valve of sorts) but will be testing flow on pair of set ups I'm working on. Will post once I know better, won't be for a few weeks I'd think.
Just had someone try to buy from them but order was cancelled as they only sell to a business or school, any problem ordering holler. List of what they carry is impressive.
Just as you said, wondering how much of this accumulated while the separator was off.

[Scott]

Just for reference, found low pressure release fuel / oil compatible valves on their site today in 1/4 pipe (part #7775K52) , they do offer same but in larger sizes for your application. Check part number.
You know what, good thought / question. I'd think pcv should remain with check valve (after all, pcv is there to both meter air and act as a check valve of sorts) but will be testing flow on pair of set ups I'm working on. Will post once I know better, won't be for a few weeks I'd think.
Just had someone try to buy from them but order was cancelled as they only sell to a business or school, any problem ordering holler. List of what they carry is impressive.
Just as you said, wondering how much of this accumulated while the separator was off.

Thanks for the offer to help with the order if I have a problem Rick!

Pretty sure the vast majority of the oil accumulated with the separator off as the JLT was off from May 2013 to May 2017.

There was about 1/8" oil in the separator when I pulled the intake (from May 2017). Still need to check if I had the flow direction right. Will also contact JLT about the new little screen filter.

[Scott]

Left JLT a note on the new screen and also investigated Bob's Auto oil separator.

After I drilled and taped the intake for the IAT sensor I picked it up by the front and still more oil came out of the vacuum port that goes to the brake booster. Really need to address this. Rick looking forward to your findings!

[KRS]

Agreed it is longer than the OEM 3V length. It could be configured with 8AN but based on the fact the Vortech intake elbow where the passenger hose terminates is completely dry it may not be necessary.

If you had oil in the passenger side hose that would be really bad because it should be drawing fresh air into the motor through the passenger side. I really don’t know if the reduced size will cause any issues, but I just think of it as the crankcase ventilation system inhaling through a cocktail straw.

Something else that might be worth looking into as a PCV valve option, is the valve used on the Thunderbird Super Coupe. I’ve heard that the OEM Motorcraft valve for this application has a built in check valve. I haven’t confirmed this but it might be worth checking into.

Crankcase ventilation air path

[ZR]

Got one of the smaller version check valves in my hand, hole size / restriction it should ad, likely be able to do away with the pcv using one.

[ZR]

Promising results thus far, supercharged Fox, PCV removed and valve substituted (too much restriction with both in line, valve is now the PCV). Cars gone from pushing the dip stick out and spewing oil everywhere possible to none of the above plus zero oil in the line on opposite side valve cover breather hose (runs to intake hose on engine side of the MAF). Working like a rock star plus is 100% emissions legal. Same set up on a second Fox ready for some WOT testing once it sees a few more break in miles.

[Scott]

Promising results thus far, supercharged Fox, PCV removed and valve substituted (too much restriction with both in line, valve is now the PCV). Cars gone from pushing the dip stick out and spewing oil everywhere possible to none of the above plus zero oil in the line on opposite side valve cover breather hose (runs to intake hose on engine side of the MAF). Working like a rock star plus is 100% emissions legal. Same set up on a second Fox ready for some WOT testing once it sees a few more break in miles.

Rick thanks for the update.

I did get the correct filter screen for my JLT separator. Free from JLT but I had to pay the freight.

I also picked up a Racetronic separator and 10AN check valve. Not much room under my hood to mount the Racetronic but I plan on replacing the Vortech intake with a Anderson Motorsport power pipe and if I am lucky that will make some real estate available to mount the larger Racetronic separator. Will post pictures when I make some progress.

[ZR]

Thanks for the JLT info.

[ZR]

Two more S/C'd Fox's with same valve set up with PCV removed, oil / blow by control has never been so good. :)

[ZR]

See post #17 for details.

[Scott]

Rick, finally snapped a pic of the check valve I picked up from Racetronix.

https://i.imgur.com/WCsxlF7.jpg

https://www.racetronix.biz/product.asp?ic=ckv-1010

Going to use it with this catch can if I can find a place to mount it.

https://i.imgur.com/6yP0v8C.jpg

Trying to fit it where I have circled and run the 10 AN lines as indicated but under the Power Pipe at the radiator cover.

https://i.imgur.com/Z0UOEKg.jpg

[Scott]

Got the oil separator and check valve installed yesterday. Thanks for all the ideas!

https://i.imgur.com/bmZ98Aq.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dw0hFTj.jpg

[ZR]

Looks terrific, interested to see how it works out.

[Scott]

Looks terrific, interested to see how it works out.

Me too Rick!