ProVent Modification - Lowering backpressure

[Tony]

Think I'll just stick with washing the intercooler out once or twice a year. Interesting some of our diesels blow more mist off than others. As hard worked mine and geeks tritons are, we both get bugger all blow by and/or oil in the intake. I'm aware some do though. Been pretty lucky with all my oilers so far.

[fraz91]

Could the fact that you and geek are running such high boost mean that the oil doesn't have enough of a chance to actually stick to anything on it's way through? (bar the intercooler of course)

[Longranger1]

Do you reckon the oil mist gets blasted through the intake Fraz? Like some sort of high pressure cleaner .

[Tony]

Geek is not running any higher boost than some others with tunes, just a little more CFM.

Have run mine open to atmosphere for a while,(off road of course) vents very little out the breather. this is why I haven't bothered with the provent up to now.(.70,000ks.) I even have one here for it too.

Anyway, good on ya LR for working on a solution to improve the flow. Once perfected, I may even fit mine one day.

[Longranger1]

Nice high cylinder pressures keep those rings tight against the bores eh, Tony .

[Tony]

Yep, I reckon she should be bedded in by now.

Only one way to run the modern diesels in, drive it like you stole it from day one. Dealers shake their heads.

[Earlyninja]

Any chance in cleaning the provent filter and re-using it?

[RHKTriton]

Maybe the issue is that these filters are too small, ie for smaller capacity engine eg 2L...just a thought.

If the disposal filters get soaked I'd imagine the effect would be similar to water boarding your engine.

[srb]

Yep just checked my intake and i too have a little oil in there... And just like LR my return from the Provent is clean and dry, so yes the provent is too restrictive! I will sort this asap, thanks again Longranger.

[Longranger1]

From memory, Mann-Hummel claim that the Provent 200 was good for engine power outputs up to 250kW. This probably lulled a lot of people into a false sense of security - at least it did for me . Not that I wouldn't mind 250kW at the wheels...

Having seen what crankcase blowby comes out of a Volvo diesel 250kW genset at full load (which is turboed and aftercooled), I'd say that they are being a little optimistic.

Maybe 80kW would be closer to the mark. The main issue is the filter material, it is way too fine and restrictive once oil soaked. The actual hose tail size on them is fine though, so it is an easy fix.

[jd88]

So I fork out extra for the proper Provent gadget for my brand new jalopy, and I still end up having to put pot scourers (and fly wire!) in the pipes just before the turbo intake?

Vonderbar!

(I've only done 5000k, and the provent filter has only just oiled up - no oil in the collection pipe yet.)

[Longranger1]

Yep. You pay your money and still end up modifying it.

[Earlyninja]

So I fork out extra for the proper Provent gadget for my brand new jalopy, and I still end up having to put pot scourers (and fly wire!) in the pipes just before the turbo intake?

Vonderbar!

(I've only done 5000k, and the provent filter has only just oiled up - no oil in the collection pipe yet.)

:lol:

Yep. You pay your money and still end up modifying it.

Got a shock when I tried blowing through an oiled up filter. Got an even bigger shock when I checked the turbo - the air inlet was clean, but the outlet had a trail of oil flowing down to the intercooler Took the provent off and went for a drive and noticed a huge difference in turbo kick-in.
Can't help but have a hint of disappointment with the provent.
next thing on the list will be the LR1 Provent mod, or maybe an oil drain tap on the bottom of the intercooler.

[Pauly_t]

As some of you may be aware, I have been having a problem with a smokey exhaust with the ChipIT and the boost controller doesn't seem to be cleaning it up to any great extent. I also have a provent setup where the filter is saturated with oil. Any opinions as to whether this in any shape or from, no matter how bizarre. could be causing my smokey exhaust with the chip in or maybe the smokey exhaust caused the filter to oil up.

Paul

[Longranger1]

The smokey exhaust isn't likely to be from the oil from the turbo, but it is certainly possible if the crankcase is over-pressurised and/or the turbo oil seal is stuffed. Get enough oil and you can have an engine runaway . Blown turbo oil seals are notorious for this . Very exciting when it happens and it will lay a smokescreen that would hide the US Naval Fleet .

Check your oil levels regularly to see if is using more than usual.

If it is a fuelling issue then it probably wont clog the Provent filter any quicker than it normally would. It is a function of the amount of crankcase blow-by that would determine how quick it would clog.

Excessive humidity and cold, wet conditions coupled with short trips wouldn't help matters either.

The flyscreen wrap seems to do the job without excessive backpressure, I used several wraps as well as the stainless pot scourer although that's probably overkill.

[Tony81]

So is it worth getting a Provent for $299 or is it just as good getting an oil catch can $40

Obviously the price is a determining factor but if the provent is a better choice.....

[Longranger1]

If you search on ebay you'll probably get one for about $175.00 or thereabouts. Still worth it as it still is a good unit once you swap over the filter media.

$299.00 would be a rip off - even if the hoses were supplied .

[Tony81]

If you search on ebay you'll probably get one for about $175.00 or thereabouts.

That was an ebay price...

[Longranger1]

If you search on ebay you'll probably get one for about $175.00 or thereabouts.

That was an ebay price...

Get onto Western filters and see what they can offer...

Not an endorsement of the business but that's where I bought mine from.

[Tony81]

Cheers LR

[Cowboy Dave]

There's now a new ebay seller called sydney filters offering them too. As at last night they were only about $1 different. I've used western repeatedly because their service is excellent.

[kevin]

I did this mod yesterday; I used aluminium screen instead. I also emptied the drain hose; I suppose about 15mil drained off. I'm wondering if the filter would drain better if a small hole was drilled in the center of the bottom plate? Any thoughts - couldn't be too big otherwise would disrupt the airflow direction?

[Sky Miner]

Funny how we spend hundreds even thousands on mods but 60 bucks for a new filter..... IMO Like any other filter if its to restrictive....then its blocked and needs replacment.If it was a fuel or air filter it'll be replaced in a flash.
I dont get the point of trying to improve on an old 'used' filter.

[jd88]

The thing is (if I've got this right), the filter is designed to oil up, and 99% of its service life is spent all oiled up. You'd be buying a $60/$80 filter every fortnight to keep it running not oiled up.

[Longranger1]

Mann-Hummel (ProVent) claim that the filter is good for about 100,000Km's. If it was that good (and not restrictive), and that is what the issue is here), then I wouldn't have worried about it.

It is simply the ability to pass reasonable airflow once oil-soaked nothing more, nothing less that bugs me.

If you wanted to spend the dough on a new filter every month or so then I guess that's an individual call - I couldn't be bothered myself as I see it as a design weakness (which is easily fixed). It happens sometimes .