Catch can kits for Mk5 GTI?

[gazzmo]

Still trying to work out what the advantage of a catch can is, reduced carbon build up not really, looks yes they have chick pulling power...let us know how the catch can has benefited you please

[maltbbe]

I'm not an expert, but I think the idea is that with any direct injection engine you tend to get a lot of unburned oil gunk build-up, which collects built-up carbon, which makes your oil more dirty, which ends with more carbon-build up. There's meant to be a crankcase ventilation system (PCV system) that clears all this gunk out and sends it back to the intake to get re-burned, but Mk5s have a pretty ineffective PCV system, so that doesn't always happen. The gunk also gets into the turbo and intercooler piping, which can damage things; when I replaced my diverter valve, oil sludge was actually pouring out of the diverter valve housing and had seeped into the wiring. I think my car had a failed PCV valve for ages, which wouldn't have helped, but a catch can is pretty much meant to be a better PCV system (or, in the case of Mk5s - which all have pretty rubbish stock PCV valves - a PCV system that actually works as it should).

I'm hoping that having the can there will clear out all the gunk that's still in my turbo piping - it's been a week and there's already a fair bit of oil in the can. I feel like the car idles and revs more smoothly now, but that might just be my imagination... since I needed a new PCV valve anyway, this was really just preventative maintenance. There's way more Mk5-specific information online if you're keen.