Ultimate Catch Can install VW GTI FSI

A catch can is arguably the first upgrade a MKV owner should purchase, especially if plans for further modifications exist or You care about Your ride at all.

An oil catch can is an aftermarket replacement for the PCV serving the purpose of extracting unwanted blow-by contaminants such as oil particles and condensation. It will typically consist of a face plate, canister, and hoses.

The stock PCV system on pre-’08.5 MKVs is known to be weak and allows for excessive blow-by which slowly builds combustion by-product residue on the intake valves of an FSI engine. Eventually enough carbon build-up accumulates resulting in rough idling, decreased power, and increased fuel consumption.

Installing a catch-can will prevent or stop carbon build-up. Although typically a catch-can will extract contaminants from the passing air via a wire-mesh complex and will require timely drainage, vent-to-atmosphere versions exist. The VTA type is 100% effective versus 95% for the sealed type. VTAs will not pass emission tests in some regions of the world. The benefits of zero-maintenance for VTAs can be countered by installing a self-made drain-valve on a sealed-type catch can meaning that the CC will no longer have to be unclipped in order to be drained into a container. It is important to remember that when temperatures drop below freezing, the 95% H2O content of the blow-by extract will freeze inhibiting CCs functionality almost completely. In other words, empty the CC more often in the winter.