Catch can on a stock engine

[RampantAndroid]

Hi all,

In looking at things to do with my Audi A4 (2014 model, so B8.5) and I saw a catch can. My question is, on a stock engine with no tune, is a catch can a good investment? Or is the stock design fine, and a catch can only needed when you start pushing the engine hard?

Thanks!
RA

 

[NutBucket]

There's always some oil coming back through the crankcase ventilation system. Whether or not its a good investment depends on the amount and how hard you drive the car. Generally speaking, the worst it can do is cost you some money for the part.

 

[RampantAndroid]

There's always some oil coming back through the crankcase ventilation system. Whether or not its a good investment depends on the amount and how hard you drive the car. Generally speaking, the worst it can do is cost you some money for the part.

Is it a modification likely to cause my warranty to go poof? I plan to ask my dealer, but I expect their answer will be "we don't warrant modifications" or something silly and evasive like that.

Without a catch can, the oil just gets into the intake yes? I could just clean that instead?

 

[Jimzz]

That is a DI motor and VW/Audi are know for major issues on those motors. So a catch can will help a lot if done right.

You still need to clean the intake/valves every 10k IMO; even with a catch can.

 

[RampantAndroid]

That is a DI motor and VW/Audi are know for major issues on those motors. So a catch can will help a lot if done right.

You still need to clean the intake/valves every 10k IMO; even with a catch can.

Define done right - as in installed right? The mod looks pretty simple actually - something I can easily do myself.

 

[Jimzz]

By right I mean install so the oil is trapped in the can. Many times people put the cans at the wrong angle or place and it still sucks the oil into the engine.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

do you regularly take your car to autocross or track days? If yes you may benefit from a catch can. On a stock tuned car for daily driver duty no you don't need it.

 

[halik]

Why do you think you need a catch can? If anything the 2.0T motors are prone to burning oil due to shitty rings; a catch can won't help you there.

 

[cbrsurfr]

I ran an open air catch can on the GTI with the 2.0T for ~30K miles. In the winter it was a total PITA as the excess condensation fills it up fast. You have to check it, otherwise you'll suck that shit right back into the car in large amounts and do more damage than good. Open air sucked because without recycle enabled on the HVAC system it would suck fumes in. It also blew shit all over my engine bay.

I got it specifically because I had a PCV issue at the race track where under certain conditions the PCV hose would pop off. I also (presumably) had excess pressure build up at Grattan raceway and blow out the valve cover gasket. So I got the "race" style catch can. My PCV issues did go away with the CC.

Assuming you aren't tracking your car you really don't need it. Sure you'll likely still have carbon build-up problems down the line, but as long as you take care of the car it probably won't happen for 60-80K. I just sold my car with ~80K and it didn't yet show the signs of carbon build-up problems (major loss of power, CEL, hesitation, etc...).