Anyone have experience with oil blow-by on Toyota ZZ engines?

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
11/30/2015 at 14:58 • Filed to: None

I’ve heard that ZZ-series engines experience a fair amount of oil blow-by. Is this also the case with 1ZZ-FEs? If so, I think I’ll have to look into an oil catch can. Diagram I found for those looking to install a catch can.

DISCUSSION (9)

Sam > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/30/2015 at 15:03

Oil catch cans are super easy to install, and there’s no downsides, so I’d say just do it.

Urambo Tauro > Sam
11/30/2015 at 15:07

If you’re feeling handy, they’re not hard to make (using inexpensive in-line oil/water separators).

HammerheadFistpunch > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/30/2015 at 15:10

Yeah, I’d say go for it. The ZZ does have blowby issues generally.

Sam > Urambo Tauro
11/30/2015 at 15:10

I’m thinking of adding one to my E34 when I add the Turner chip my parents got me for Christmas. So I may make one like you suggest. When we took the intake off to replace the PCV (which is one the back of the intake manifold, underneath the radiator overflow. Germans.) it was absolutely coated in old oil. I spent a good 2 days cleaning it out.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/30/2015 at 15:11

I’ve actually heard oil consumption was more of an issue in the 1ZZ than the 2ZZ. The 2ZZ had other issues, namely an inadequately baffled oil pan that led to trackday oil starvation in MR2s and Lotuses with R-compound tires.

As for the catch can, yeah, it’s pretty easy. Make sure you get one that’s baffled or has some form of absorbent inside, or you won’t “catch” much of anything. Though, before you make a purchase, take off the intake tract and look inside. If it isn’t wet with a bit of oil, the catch can won’t do anything. I typically see them more for turbo cars, and less to prevent blowby than to keep oil out of intercoolers. They don’t prevent oil consumption, just keep it out of the intake tract.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/30/2015 at 15:33

I’m more concerned with oil being mixed with the air fuel charge and burned in the combustion chambers than anything.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/30/2015 at 15:46

Right, and that is what a catch can’s for. I just now read into the 1ZZ’s issues, it’s definitely a ring/blowby thing...I admittedly did not know that until about 2 minutes ago.

From some initial reading, it seems like the issue is gummed up oil rings (i.e. not compression rings or ringlands, so not terminal), and can be somewhat addressed with Seafoam or the like. I’d say try that first, and then install the catch can if it doesn’t seem to help.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/30/2015 at 16:36

My neighbors wouldn’t be too happy if I seafoamed anything, so a catch can it is.

AM3R shamefully returns > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/30/2015 at 17:22

Go for it. Recently ordered an OCC and hoping to have it installed next weekend.