I did some searching and don't see a whole lot of people installing an oil catch can so I wanted to see if anyone had any personal experience with them. I know the theory behind them and that they can be useful on some cars, so my question is anyone install them on their S3 and have any significant amounts of oil trapped in the catch can? Some of the reviews I've read say only water and gas vapor is being caught and one review was that it was completely dry. I think some of it also has to do with how much the engine is modified, i.e. tunes with higher boost. I'm still completely stock but plan to modify at some point, so any input is appreciated.

 

Snowman, I have the APR oil catch can to coincide with an APR full intake. Catch can bolts right on the side. Am running a Stage 2 from APR as well. It all works very, very well for me. No issues and love the power! But admit that I'm not really finding anything in the oil catch can. Starting to wonder if it isn't really required for this engine and turbo combo. Read the articles and understand the benefits as well but not seeing it currently. Only have 24 k miles on my car and about 8k since installing the oil catch can. Perhaps it just needs more time. At this point, for you, there are other things more worth your money I believe. From my own experience of course.

 

Cool, thanks. Seems like not an issue for our car, but I've seen some application where they're catching about 6oz just between oil changes. Definitely doesn't seem necessary, but not a bad idea. I'll probably stick to something basic bolt-ons until I'm out of warranty, or just before. I've been considering the JB4, but from what I'm hearing...that may be detectable too, even with it removed. Anyhow, thanks for the feedback.

 

I know a few MK1 TTers tried catch cans and, after not catching anything, decided they weren't really necessary, either. FWIW.

-scot

 

Maybe direct injection VAG engines just don't need it. Seems crazy that APR would sell a catch can for $400 though for some thing that doesn't seem to be all that useful. I almost bought it but a buddy of mine with an APR stage 2 mk6 GTI said he researched it and said a lot of people said it wasn't needed. Only reason I even posted was bc of him. On my N54 335i, I had pretty massive amount of carbon build up on the intake valves after just 40k miles and ended up walnut blasting them. Kinda glad to hear it doesn't seem to be an issue here.

 

Of all the mod work I've done to my S3, the oil catch can seems to be the least required. I barely use any oil between changes either and I like to push my car when I can. On a side note, I just installed an APR turbo inlet pipe. It's cast as opposed to OEM plastic and it has a larger internal diameter. Already had the entire APR intake system. The inlet pipe was the only non replaced part prior to the actual turbo unit. In addition to the intake being routed through the inlet pipe, one of the feeds from the oil catch can feeds into the inlet pipe as well. So I assumed that if there would be any carbon or oil build up, I would see it on the OEM inlet pipe. OEM pipe was almost perfectly clean. So either the oil catch can was doing an outstanding job or there simply isn't much being feed back into the turbo at that point. So perhaps the oil catch can is working but it isn't evidenced by trapping anything measurable. And I checked closely when I had to remove the intake to install the turbo inlet pipe. THAT part I can recommend however. Only butt dyno verified but seems to have a bit more grunt earlier. To my knowledge, intake parts do not void a warranty if that is a concern. My Audi service guys have known about and even encouraged my tune work from early on. They just never connect my car to Audi network and is therefore never flagged. Had zero issues with my S3. Only service calls have been for oil changes and routine maintenance.