How to Maintain Your Ryco Catch Can

When it comes to engine protection, one of the best things you can do is fit a Catch Can. Slotting in between the engine’s PCV valve and air intake system a Catch Can works by utilising its internal filter to separate carbon-causing crankcase vapours from the crankcase air, making it cleaner before it is recirculated back into the intake. This effectively eliminates carbon blockage within the intake manifold, which is an issue that’s all too common with Common Rail Diesel engines. But how do you ensure that the Catch Can provides consistent protection for your engine?

The Ryco RCC360 Catch Can is a serviceable item, allowing you to drain it and replace the filter inside, so at it can continue to effectively do its job. The Ryco RCC360 Catch Can also features a handy service indicator that engages to let you know when it’s time to replace the filter element inside.

Ryco advises that after fitting the RCC360 Catch Can, drain the Catch Can Sump after 1000 kilometres of driving and measure the amount of oil that comes out, taking into account the 290ml Catch Can Sump capacity. This will give you a better understanding of the engine's blow-by characteristics and a more exact idea of how often your Catch Can should be drained. For instance, if 50ml of oil is drained after 1000 kilometres, your vehicle is better suited to a 5000-kilometre Catch Can drain interval. Be sure to check sump levels every month or every 5000-kilometres, whichever comes first. If you’re towing or driving off-road, Ryco recommends checking the Catch Can daily.

To begin the service, the first thing you’ll need to do is drain the Catch Can. If the Catch Can was fitted without the drain hose, the first thing you’ll need to do is remove your Catch Can from the engine bay. Undo the hose clamps, remove the hoses, lift the Catch Can from its mounting bracket, and from there you can undo the drain plug and let the oil drain into a pan or a bottle.

To make draining the Catch Can easier the next time around, you can fit the drain hose before reinstalling the Catch Can. To do this, simply remove the rubber seal from the drain plug and install the new drain fitting with the rubber seal along with the quick connector. From there, insert the drain hose, secure it with the supplied spring clamp, and fit the hose drain plug fitting into the other end with another hose clamp. With the drain hose installed, you’ll be able to drain the Catch Can without removing it from its mounting bracket in the engine bay.

Along with draining your vehicle’s catch can, you’ll need to replace the filter element when the Catch Can’s service indicator has engaged. When it comes time, don’t settle for anything less than a genuine Ryco RCC160F Catch Can Filter Element Replacement. Ryco replacement filters are carefully engineered to work specifically with your Ryco Catch Can, whilst non–Ryco filter elements may not trap enough crankcase oil or block prematurely.

To change the filter element inside the Catch Can, undo the 4 bolts at the top of the Catch Can and lift the head away. You’ll be able to do this without removing the Catch Can from its bracket or the hoses from the ports of the head. From there, you can lift the old filter element out and refit the new one with the supplied replacement o-ring. Ryco has made it easy to identify which way the filter goes by labelling the bottom of the filter element. Once you’ve reinstalled the Catch Can head, you’ll need to reset the service indicator. To do this, simply unscrew the clear service indicator housing, press the red indicator back in, and reinstall the housing.