Provent filter: Is anyone draining it back to the oil pan?

Rixram · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2015 3:28 pm

Gents,

For the Silver Stallion, I am looking to get a Provent oil separator for it. I frequently see folks discuss having to change it every so often, but is there a fairly easy way to just have the Provent drain back to the crankcase (oil pan) (presumably following engine shutdown when pressure has vented)?

I want to take the extra precautions on this one.

Thanks

http://www.idparts.com/mann-provent-200-p-2334.html

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=83103

pjigar · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2015 4:24 pm

If you drain the oil back "above the oil sump level" then you need a check valve. If you drain oil back "below the oil sump level" then nothing special required. I just ordered a check valve today since I have already drilled a boss above the oil sump level in my engine block!

I ordered this non-return check valve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131555790258
I am hoping that the generic version will work since the operating range is 0.8 bar to 12 bar.

The mann version is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Non-Return-Valve-2400843621-for-Mann-Provent-200-Catch-Can-/251830025102

Mountainman · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2015 8:24 pm

I think GMCTD didn't use a check valve on his, but hopefully he will chime in. I know he plummed it above the oil level, and with us running a slight vacuum with the Provent, it makes sense that the check valve is unnecessary.
I'm probably going to do the same so I never have to worry about draining it, or topping off my oil.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2015 8:31 pm

Oh, what about the metal shavings? I guess we just catch as many as possible with a greased bit, and maybe a magnate, and not worry about the rest since they should be safe in the pan/oil filter? :frankie:

mass-hole · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2015 11:39 pm

I just brought this up in the "blow by" thread, but is it wise to return what that provent catches to case? I know that what comes out of the catch can on my f150 is not just oil. its fuel, combustion byproducts and other stuff. I drained the catch can into a Solo cup the other day and it melted through the cup in a few minutes and was all over the floor when I came back out into my garage.

I would never put that back in my crankcase.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2015 2:43 pm

Not worth all the trouble IMHP!
I only get a couple of ounces of liquid out of the drain hose about every two months. I would not want the liquid going back into my engine as it looks like it contains a mixture of oil, condensation, and some other stuff... :wink:

I think a better option might be a small catch tank with a drain mounted on the frame rail??? :idea:

mass-hole · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2015 4:09 pm

Here is the crap that came out of my f150 ecoboost this morning. I drain it every 1000 miles but in this case it's only been a week and was at 1500 miles. I took an 1100 mile trip to Denver. I think the ecoboost is probably a semi decent analogy for our diesels as it is a direct injected, high compression, turbocharged engine so it likely shares much of the same blowby characteristics.

No this is not coffee with cream in it . . . . I can smell the gas vapor from 5 feet away.

As mentioned above, if you are doing 5000 mile oci's I don't think the few ounces you get from the provent are going to matter. If it does get low, put some more fresh oil of the same type in, don't put the stuff from the provent back.

Rixram · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2015 6:05 pm

Ohhh. Dude. I'd be in for some warranty work were that my new truck....

And thank you for the info!

Mountainman · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2015 6:20 pm

Hmm, yeah, I guess I'll put a catch can with an overflow just in case I forget about it. No point in adding anything that the bearings in this fickle engine might not like.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2015 6:50 pm

Rixram wrote:

Ohhh. Dude. I'd be in for some warranty work were that my new truck....

And thank you for the info!

This is pretty typical of basically every ecoboost. Some guys without catch cans were seeing their oil levels increase because of the amount fuel and crap that was blowing by. It's a big issue on the ecoboost, this was more just to show that it's not just oil that comes out. I don't know if the provent is better at catching oil and letting the rest by.

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2015 10:08 pm

pjigar wrote:

If you drain the oil back "above the oil sump level" then you need a check valve. If you drain oil back "below the oil sump level" then nothing special required. I just ordered a check valve today since I have already drilled a boss above the oil sump level in my engine block!

I ordered this non-return check valve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131555790258
I am hoping that the generic version will work since the operating range is 0.8 bar to 12 bar.

The mann version is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Non-Return-Valve-2400843621-for-Mann-Provent-200-Catch-Can-/251830025102

This is 100% correct, I remember reading it in provent 200 specs some years ago. The check valve can be purchased from idparts.com, among with provent 200 filter replacement. Granted, a bit pricey but the guys deserve our money, lol.

Oh, and check valve is for negative pressure, which can happen in the crank case...

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2015 10:10 pm

mass-hole wrote:

Here is the crap that came out of my f150 ecoboost this morning. I drain it every 1000 miles but in this case it's only been a week and was at 1500 miles. I took an 1100 mile trip to Denver. I think the ecoboost is probably a semi decent analogy for our diesels as it is a direct injected, high compression, turbocharged engine so it likely shares much of the same blowby characteristics.

No this is not coffee with cream in it . . . . I can smell the gas vapor from 5 feet away.

As mentioned above, if you are doing 5000 mile oci's I don't think the few ounces you get from the provent are going to matter. If it does get low, put some more fresh oil of the same type in, don't put the stuff from the provent back.

I swear I thought you have a Starbucks in a glass... Probably the simple green tricked me...

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2015 10:18 pm

I'd like to make a note about provent in general. Before you install it, make sure you find out where is the level of full mark on the dipstick, since it's known to be inaccurate. Add exactly 6 litters of oil (about 6.4 quarts) and look where the level is on dipstick, as that's the maximum, not what the factory marks show. I am saying all these since any bit of oil over max will be pushed through the provent filter, which is good since that's why is there, but you'll end up replacing filters (or clean them) more often than necessary.

Provent filter: Is anyone draining it back to the oil pan?

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