catch can or not
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catch can or not
I have a 16 F150 with the 3.5 Eco I drive a lot of short distance driving because I don't live very far from my job. My question would it be worth it to install a catch can since I never really get the engine all the hot? Just curious to what everyone's opinion is around the boards.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: FL
There are many things impacted by short trips - I would skip the catch can and instead get out there an get some heat into the fluids at least once a week (if not more often). Keep your OCIs down to 5k miles or less. Don't go by the OLM.
Just my opinion anyways.
Just my opinion anyways.
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From: San Antonio, TX
Couldn’t agree with Robbgt more. Take it out and run it on the highway at least 20-30 min at one time at least once a week. It will burn condensation out of the oil, burn soot out of the catalytic converters and keep the battery charged. Short trips are hell on engines.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
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Very good points about oil change intervals and making sure you get some good highway runs on your vehicle when your normal commute doesn't let it get up to temperature.
With such short trips, the battery comment is definitely something to keep in mind.
Assuming you didn't just move into your house or get your job on the day you bought your truck.....did the short trips cause any issues with your previous vehicle(s)??
With such short trips, the battery comment is definitely something to keep in mind.
Assuming you didn't just move into your house or get your job on the day you bought your truck.....did the short trips cause any issues with your previous vehicle(s)??
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Abilene TX.
I understand the short trips, I live in town 3 miles from where I work part-time. It's exactly the same distance to the Grocery store. When I leave work and stop there on the way home it adds one mile to the return trip. My Ford Dealer is 2.5 miles away. i usually take a drive of at least 30 minutes (each way) so and hour drive once a week. I change my oil at 6,000 or 6 months. It works quite well. I have only come close on the mileage once in the 2.5 years I have had this pickup with 14,953 miles. My wife's Edge is at 2 years. i change her oil the same limits, it is due for it's 6 month change this month on it's 2 year anniversary it has 2,622 miles on it. The only reason we have a second vehicle is because I refuse to only have one vehicle.
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Thanks for the replies. I was just curious with the direct injection and turbos on the short drives. I try and take it out on the highway at least once a week, I've heard that I should run it hard every once in awhile. I change the oil every 6 months because I never get close to the miles. I wish I lived a little farther from work just to get a few more highway miles and enjoy it a little more.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Abilene TX.
Thanks for the replies. I was just curious with the direct injection and turbos on the short drives. I try and take it out on the highway at least once a week, I've heard that I should run it hard every once in awhile. I change the oil every 6 months because I never get close to the miles. I wish I lived a little farther from work just to get a few more highway miles and enjoy it a little more.
TJ
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From: San Antonio, TX
Remember when businesses would stay open late on Thursdays so you could write a check right before payday?
A lot of that moisture residue under oil fill caps and the top of dipsticks is just condensation. Eventually it’ll sludge the oil. If anyone sees it on their vehicle, take it out and run it hard for awhile. Don’t abuse it, just give a few good wind sprints once up to full temp.
A lot of that moisture residue under oil fill caps and the top of dipsticks is just condensation. Eventually it’ll sludge the oil. If anyone sees it on their vehicle, take it out and run it hard for awhile. Don’t abuse it, just give a few good wind sprints once up to full temp.
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The whitish brown deposits on the oil fill cap occur very often in high Humidity times and short drives.
The Oil fill cap is up in the air stream where it is cooled.
The moisture and it's content deposits/condenses on the coolest surfaces.
This is only where you can see it.
The crank case air comes in through the intake air cleaner and has the moisture in it.
Only way to help reduce it is longer engine runs and heat.
Once a week or so is not really effective enough under the conditions, to prevent it.
Be a where if a head gasket leaks or coolant gets into the oil, the same appearance could be seen on the Cap and on the oil dip stick and needs attention right away if the coolant in the radiator is going down too often. Find out why.
Don't expect a catch can to take full care of this situation. It's an oil-air separator not a moisture reduction device.
The Oil fill cap is up in the air stream where it is cooled.
The moisture and it's content deposits/condenses on the coolest surfaces.
This is only where you can see it.
The crank case air comes in through the intake air cleaner and has the moisture in it.
Only way to help reduce it is longer engine runs and heat.
Once a week or so is not really effective enough under the conditions, to prevent it.
Be a where if a head gasket leaks or coolant gets into the oil, the same appearance could be seen on the Cap and on the oil dip stick and needs attention right away if the coolant in the radiator is going down too often. Find out why.
Don't expect a catch can to take full care of this situation. It's an oil-air separator not a moisture reduction device.
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