Catch Cans in Winter

[stormin84]

Check your Catch Can guys (if you have one installed) i'm not the only one that had this problem
http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f10/catch-can-warning-cold-climates-45845/#post394729

Mine has froze up once but it seems to be more of a problem for the guys who have the SM catch can. i have the elite engineering catch can so i can unscrew the bottom to drain it. But the SM occ only have a drain valve which can't drain if it is frozen.

So just a heads up for you guys

[LBV]

I read that post last night but when you think about, so what it's frozen? It's just less of a chance of the liquid getting sucked back in. :)

[MajesticBlueNTO]

I read that post last night but when you think about, so what it's frozen? It's just less of a chance of the liquid getting sucked back in. :)

you must have missed the link to this post by garymca on M3F (http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=131262.msg3459672#msg3459672) from Alberta:



Just an FYI for anyone that has to deal with cold weather. I installed my catch can this past summer (this exact setup).

We have recently had some brutally cold weather (-35 Celscius and -45C with windchill). I made a long trip and, to make a long story short, the lines to the CC froze solid which resulted in pressures building up in the engine. The pressure made the dipstick pop out and oil blew out everywhere. I managed to get the everything cleaned up and thawed out, but on my return home the same thing happened again. I was able to get into a shop and got the original setup restored. I made it home without further issues, however, I must have developed another oil leak somewhere in the area of the turbo, because I notice some smoke and the smell of burning oil even after I've cleaned the engine compartment and driven long enough to burn off any left over oil.

Because of the extreme cold I had no idea I was losing as much oil as I was - at one point I was adding 2 litres every 20 kilometres (2qts in 12 miles) just trying to get somewhere warm.

For those of you in colder climates - consider yourselves warned!!

[LBV]

I recall that post too and for sure having the lines freeze is an issue but if all you have is a frozen chunk of water/gas/oil mix sitting at the bottom of your cc and as long as the lines are breathing in and out of the cc, you'll be fine ... for sure though a consideration at -35C ... yikes!!

[mleblond]

just means, check it every so often, i still empty mine every other week.

[stormin84]

just means, check it every so often, i still empty mine every other week.


agree, i'm cleaning mine more often now