Although there has been a thread on this for the 3.5L, I hadn't seen one on a 3.0 yet, at least not written up. So, for about $15 in materials, decided to make one from Home Depot supplies (surprise, surprise). Shiny, pretty "name brand" catch cans can be bought on ebay or performance shops for $50-100, but what's the fun in that!?!?

So....here it is, and a quick writeup:
Materials: Air compressor in-line air/oil filter/reservoir, about 3' of 7/16 hose, a few hose clamps, and the correct fittings. Oh, and a piece of metal to make a bracket with.

As you can see, it is mounted in-line PCV valve>hose>reservoir>hose>intake manifold is the direction it goes in. I bent a steel L-bracket and secured it to one of the intake bracket bolts - seems to be secure.

I have also seen this done using a Fram G3 fuel filter - that is the way alot of Subaru guys do it. I decided to go the above route, but got one of the G3 filters just to mess with also.

As to results....just did it, so no oil buildup, but if you rev the engine under the hood to high rpms, you can see a fine mist of oil getting deposited into the clear reservoir, so looks like it's doing its job.

For those who don't know, this is meant to "intercept" the oil that comes through the PCV valve and is normally routed to the intake manifold, where it gunks up things, burns up, or reduces fuel octane (oil+fuel=reduced octane).

BTW, credit to the 3.5 guy who did it this way first (don't recall who it was)

so, some pics of course:





the Fram filter, just for reference

 

Nice work Irish!!!

 

So I see you've been busy at your job again. I want to see it this weekend. I'll find ya, you post-whoring bish!


Good work. Can't wait to check it out.

 

I don't have the roof rack on right now, so I don't think you'll be able to find me

 

sweet josh. you gonna help me do mine? should reduce my oil burning problem.

 

wouldn't it be easier, and cheaper, to just use the filter?

 

your arent filtering the oil...just storing it and preventing it from going into the intake manifold

 

don't they kind of serve the same purpose though? seriously, i really don't know. either way, i think it's a cool idea. hell, i might even do it.

 

If you just use the filter, I assume you just install it inline and be done with it?

 

Yes, the filter was about $4, while the other pieces were a little more. BUT, the way I set it up, I can empty it periodically when it fills up. Using the fuel filter, I would have to buy a new one every time it filled up (probably every few months).

Either way would work, I just didn't feel like doing the fuel filter in-line...

 

yep....the only issue I can think of is that if the filter is not situated correctly, the oil could pour out one end -either back to the PCV or into the IM. The way I have it setup, the oil collects in the bottom and cannot possibly flow back. Like I said, either way works though ....

 

in other words, installing an inline filter is just too damn easy.
good work.

 

we'll have to get a gallon-sized filter for you

 

I suppose in the extreme case. I would think the paper would just soak up the oil and keep it in one place. At least until there's enough oil to saturate and cause it to drip.

 

I have one of these on the 3.0 . Never made a write up. Krismax told me how to do it last year...

 

Think they make a 5 gallon version?

Oh, and I know what you look like. I'll find you next to the dumpster!

 

no...that would be the "jason" area...I'm not allowed over there

 

Ah, sweet. Reminds me, I need to change my PCV valve (and the in-tank fuel filter again while I'm at it... sitting at 113K mi now)

 

Hay guy's i have a 2001 maxima with 53.000 miles runs great should i be concerned about this

 

irish44j does this happen to all 2000-2001 models

 

it happens on all cars out there that are equipped with a PCV valve (pretty much ALL cars)..the pcv is there specifically to vent oil vapors from the crankcase and burn it up in the IM. It doesn't hurt the car, per se, but certainly doesn't help it!

 

Great writeup I am going to do this one tonight

 

What if your still using the factory intake box???

 

Wow excellent advances for our cars, gotta add this under the hood

 

You find another place to mount the filter and run the lines...

 

Loving this idea and will add this to my car next a week along with some other maintiance.

I'm a little scketchy on the write up and have a few questions:

4th gen Stock Intake.

I'll need:
One Oil reserve case
(http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...FA106&pad=true)
Two Of these

Two hose clamps
And 3feet of the 7/16 hose - Is there a more techincal term for that or just say that to any home depot employee and they should know what i'm talking about?

Then how exactly is the installation done?

 

Whats the benifits of using this setup?

 

less oil burned in the intake.

 

nice work irish. where did you buy the Air compressor ??

 

do you have a picture of where exactly the pcv valve is???

 

look at the pic at the top. Note the hose that attaches in the MIDDLE of the TOP of the photo (it weaves down to the reservoir). See where it attaches? Now, originally the hose that goes from that particular place goes directly to the PCV valve...just follow the hose. The PCV is basically just below the VIAS actuator assembly.

 

welp, i went to home depot and got all the crap to do this today and installed it. Pretty easy and it gave my bored *** something to do. I cant wait to see how much oil I collect!! thanks for the info irish, yet another thing that ive seen you done and then went out and did it myself. Keep it up man.

 

does any1 have a pic of where the pcv valve is on a 3.5 litre?
i cannot find it for ****, and the mechanic i went to must be handicapped. he did not see it either. unless it's under the engine cover, which he did not take off.
p.s. maybe some1 has a good desciption of where the pcv valve is, not nesessarily a pic.

 

Do you know where the intake manifold is? If not, follow your intake up past the MAF sensor until you reach the throttle body. That big thing that the throttle body is attached to is the intake manifold. The throttle body should be bolted on to it on the driver's side of the vehicle. Now go around to the passenger side of the car and look at the side of the intake manifold closest to the rear of the engine bay. You should see a short black rubber hose attached to a small metal tube on the intake manifold. That short black rubber hose goes down to the PCV. The hose connector on the PCV should be a piece of yellowish plastic.

 

Man I think my filter is fcked up. The oil level doesnt seem like it rises anymore.

 

I will keep an eye on mine. $15 fix is not too shabbly at all, plus it doesn't look bad at all.

 

thanks spiromax, i will mess with this tonite after work.

 

From the Stickies:



http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=265970

 

This is some good stuff. I installed the oil-separator 3 days ago and there is already some oil collected there! I used 3/8" hose and an inline separator, slightly different than Irish's... Will post a pic later...

 

I think this was asked but maybe I missed the reply air compressor???? what is this and can it be seen from pics and is there any wiring involved? by the way I know what an actual air compressor is.